Lately, I’ve been hearing more and more…
that people are feeling stuck, restless, overwhelmed…
too busy, too hectic…

It’s been going on for a whilenow
even among colleagues

even though we’re actually doing what we enjoy… Right?
But it’s often because of everything else that “has to” get done…

Is it just me?
or are we all in need of a reality check again?

What makes us so stressed out, so frantic...
in short, so stressed?

Often it’s about expectations others have of us,
or what we think others expect of us

sometimes about the expectations we have of ourselves...
because we’re fully complicit in this and set the bar too high ourselves...

We have to do everything... wear different hats...
be not only a nail stylist but also an accountant, a cleaner, a social worker...

and in our private lives, we also wear other hats...
busy schedules... We have to exercise and be social...

And social media often doesn’t help either, I think

We compare ourselves to others
and often that’s to our own detriment, we feel.

Basically, we’ve never had it so good,
we have access to many things that make our lives easier...

we live in a time when so much is possible
and at the same time, we have it harder than when everything was still “simple”

Or maybe that’s the problem?
“that so much is possible” ... and that we all want to try it out and participate?
Or do we think we“have to”participate?

"We're taught not to put things off
and not to let opportunities slip away
but they forget to mention
that this also applies to enjoying life"
~ Martin Gijzemijter

A "go-go-go" world has emerged...

And why?

To gain followers? The likes and hearts?
To be “successful”? Whatever that means to you...
We often want “instant success”—right here, right now—but forget that we can build it up over time...

Of course you want to help your clients
and there’s nothing wrong with that, of course..
but we don’t have to be on call 24/7, do we?

Even when we’re off, we’re still ‘ON’
it’s important that we DO something

Because imagine..?
Yeah, what exactly?
That others think we’re lazy, if we don’t do anything for once?

We even say this to our children when they’re resting or ‘bored’..
go DO something. Even though they’re probably smarter than we are… by listening to their bodies
and taking a break every now and then

As adults, we’ve often forgotten how to do that
our minds have taken over from our bodies…

And of course, there are things that “have to” be done
but maybe you don’t always have to do them (all by yourself)?
maybe not RIGHT NOW either?
Or all at once?

We should also say NO more often to things
that we really don’t feel like doing or don’t have time for at that moment
but do anyway just to keep the peace because we don’t want to disappoint someone else ..
or to be liked ..

We aren’t even aware of that.

We are allowed to set our boundaries.

Maybe we “should” banish the word “MUST”?
Because everything that must be done sounds like a chore... sounds heavy

What word can we use instead?
Maybe “MAY”?
“What may I do today?” already sounds and feels different

Oh yes, it’s also best to scrap the word “JUST”
Just do this and just do that... We all use it sometimes
That’s how we drive ourselves crazy...

Everything takes time. Period.
Take that time...

What helps you recharge your batteries?

- Maybe writing everything down? To clear your head?
- Writing down what you’re grateful for every day?
- Taking a walk in nature? Gardening?
- Meditating? Yoga?
- Taking a nap during the day?
- Dancing in the living room?

Or a combination? Try something out...

What is your body telling you?
Is your energy on or off?
What is the most important thing RIGHT NOW?

With everything you do, notice how it feels in your body...
Is it draining your energy? Or do you feel the energy flowing?
Are you "wound up" or do you feel calm?

If you’re aware of that, you can make some adjustments...
so you can achieve a better balance

No one can just keep going at full speed for 8 hours or more... focusing...
even though we sometimes think we can.

See what works for you.
Don’t look to someone else (or only for inspiration)..
Fortunately, we’re all different... accept and cherish that

See if there’s a different way it can work for you...
so you can recognize in time when you need to take a break.

and so you’re better balanced...

before it’s too late and you’re burned out.
Because that doesn’t help anyone.

Out of your head... into your body!

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed
take your time to figure out what’s best for you

Maybe the 1-by-1 method is right for you?
Then you do everything one thing at a time with full attention

so when you drink water, you’re only focusing on that water at that moment...
and you shouldn’t be thinking about what you still have to do later or dwelling on what you did earlier.
Give it a try... stay focused while drinking water... can you feel that sip of water flowing through your body?

Let the people around you know what you’re working on so they can support you.
And when needed, see if someone can help you with something.
You don’t have to do it alone...

even though we often think so.

REMEMBER "Everything is Figureoutable"
~ Marie Forleo

("Everything Can Be Figured Out"… is also a book ;) )

HELP

Someone who can help you with this is my business buddy Pauline
. She is a Bowen therapist and helps people suffering from burnout, among other things.

Do you or someone you know suffer from this?
Then read this article she wrote

See you next time

Make the most of it!

Love,
Lenette