Kingsport Spirit

For some reason, I let my watch battery drain to zero. It’s an older Fitbit, which means it needs a specific charging cord with a USB plug. That complicates things because I can’t just set it on a charging pad by my bed like Apple users do. This disruption in routine often leads to a cycle of frustration and forgetfulness.

By the time I notice it needs charging, I’m usually in a rush—often headed to the gym. And really, what’s the point of going to the gym if I can’t count my steps? So I plug it into the wall for a quick charge, but I can only get to about 9% before I have to leave. After the gym, it’s already drained back down to 2%, and again, I forget to charge it.

Occasionally, I take the cord with me and plug it into my truck’s USB. This usually gets me up to 15% by the time I reach my destination. But then the cycle starts again: charge a little, drain a little.

Over several days, I can creep up to about 75% capacity, but it’s rare to hit 100% unless I leave it charging for hours, maybe overnight.

What’s the point of all this? I’ve realized my watch is a metaphor for my body.

We push ourselves hard—go, go, go—until our batteries are completely depleted. We know we need to recharge, but finding the time feels impossible. So we keep pushing, running on fumes, until we risk crashing.

The truth is, we can only fully function when we’re completely recharged.

As this busy season unfolds, let this be your reminder: recharge your own batteries. Resist the urge to power through on 9% because eventually, you’ll burn out. Take the time to rest, recuperate, and heal, so you can step into 2025 at full strength.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and plenty of time to recharge!