Aargh, when life gets a bit busy and you seem to be juggling too many balls….
Sometimes life gets busy and we end up not being able to fit everything in. (For me it is the things that I am passionate about, haha, that aren't making me money yet that seem to fall by the way side). And today I just wanted to share that that is OK. People talk a lot about balance in life.. And while I believe that there is a need for balance - life doesn't really fit into this category all of the time. I like to think of life as an ebb and flow. Sometimes life flows, sometimes we need to put our focus and energy into something hard out for a while and other things fall off and then life will come back to some sort of balance later when it needs to.
So I guess what I am saying - go easy on yourself, when you have to shift focus and put some extra time into a project don't worry that some of the other things drop off.
It is OK that your house is a bit messy, it is OK that you are a bit tired at the moment, it is OK that you have a pile of things mounting up.... You will get the chance to get to that when you can. Get your project finished, take some time for you and then chip away at getting on top of things again.
That is just the ebb and flow of life. Exactly the same as the seasons of the year, the hours of the day. It is normal and natural. Don't try to be all things to everyone, this will take its toll on you.
I would like to share my non-negotiable’s when I have a busy patch, everything else happens if and when it can.
Rest - I always make sure that I am getting plenty of sleep - going to bed nice and early.
Stretch - Fit in my yoga as much as I can - as a minimum I will do some form of stretching everyday.
Breathing - Just slowing my breathing down.. This can be as simple as taking longer breaths while I am driving, hanging out the washing, cooking dinner - breath is an amazing tool to calm the nervous system. Anchor it to something to make it a priority for you… Breath deeply while you are having a cup of tea, in the car, cooking dinner - anchor it so that every time you do these things you breath deeply - The more times a day the better…
Food - Eat well - in times of extra stress eating loads of good fruit and veg is essential and if you are feeling a bit stressed and getting symptoms of indigestion in these times eat mostly cooked foods - they are so much easier for your body to digest. I always plan my meals on a Sunday so that I know what I am eating for the week and I can get myself organised and order my veg. Without planning you will end up making bad choices when you are tired and hungry…
Supplement - Make sure you are taking your regular vitamins and minerals during these times... Multi, Vit B, Magnesium, Vit C, Zinc and D are all amazing things that will make sure you are getting the essential vitamins and minerals in. An adrenal soother is awesome if you have prolonged periods of stress as well.
Self Care - I am also really good at doing stuff for me, each of us will have different things they want to do for this, but it is super important when you are busy…. Some of my favourites are; massage, chiro, osteo, soak in the bath, reading a book... Just some time out that rocks your world. I also try to have 1 day off a week where I am chilled and doing nothing (haha you Mum’s will understand this - there is still washing to be done and meals to cook - but generally a day of chilling and pottering!!!).
That's about it....
So although my house is in dire need of a spring clean and my paperwork it mounting up (the basics are done!), I know that in a very short time, I will get the chance to get on top of it all again.
Some ways you may be able to ease the stress…
Look at things that other people can do to help you - delegate - My kids are doing more chores, they are cooking a meal each week - Get the family involved - and if you can afford it, pay someone to help with things that you don’t need to be spending your time doing…
Take your work somewhere else - Change the scenery for a day - take you work with you to a cafe, to a friends place, outside - try somewhere new (of course if you are lucky enough to be able to do that). Ask your boss if you can do that - AND great if you are your own boss…..
Take a mantra with you each day - have one thing that you want to focus on that day (week, month) - mix it up… change it a bit - show kindness, pay it forward, help someone else, breathing, getting one project done (stop multitasking), delegate a certain role, drink more water - have one thing that you focus on each day and gives you a sense of purpose rather than just being busy.
Be organised - boring I know…. but being organised and having things set out really can save a lot of time when you are busy and therefore reduce stress.
Get up 15 minutes earlier a day - That’s 105 minutes per week, 450 minutes per month, 5475 minutes per year, that is a whopping 91 hours per year!!!. Imagine what you could get done in that time - OR imagine what you could do for yourself in that time!!!
So remember to go with the ebbs and flows in life. Be kind to yourself and don't try to be a Marta and get everything done...
If you are finding that you are having too many stressful times in your life then PLEASE take the time to look at what is going on and maybe make some changes - we are not built to live in stressful, busy times all of the time……
Have a great day and do something nice for yourself today…
xxx
Mel