It’s common to feel buried under a giant list of things to do. It’s overwhelming to think about the many things that need to be done at home, at work, for the kids and for ourselves.
Which one do you think always slips to the bottom of the list? You got it! Making time for ourselves.
After leaving my career of 18 years, I was completely burnt out. By this point, I was sick and tired. I started my own business so I could have more flexibility and freedom. Out of necessity, I learned to reverse my priority list.
It took constant focus at first but essentially I began to put myself first in everything I did. As my clients sometimes jokingly call it, we are learning to be more “selfish”. Isn’t it interesting that we have been taught that focusing on our ourselves is bad, isn’t it?
When someone asked if I wanted to help on a committee, volunteer at my daughter’s school, go out to dinner with a group of friends, I always checked in with myself. Did the thought of doing this activity feel good? Did it energize me? Did it feel expansive?
If it didn’t, I immediately said, “I appreciate the thought, but no thank you”. I got real firm about that. It became my new cardinal rule.
After making this my new best practice, I am happy to report that I have plenty of time. I’m able to take walks when the sun is out. Go out to coffee with a friend during the day. Write this blog. Take my daughter to the movies after school. These were things I merely dreamed of before.
If you’re overwhelmed by too many things or even by people who are draining you, my suggestion is to be more choosy.
Time is precious and life is short. Instead of wasting your time on things that drain you, start saying yes to things that energize you and start saying no thank you to everything else.
With a little time, your calendar will start clearing up and who knows, maybe you can go to the movies in the middle of the day.
Warm wishes,
Danielle