Hi Reader,
One of my goals this year was to do less. I wanted to weave in more white space(basically unscheduled free time- blank spots in my day planner) so I could follow creativity and curiosity and discover myself more fully. It feels easier in the summer months with the longer days.
It’s been interesting and challenging. I am happier with more white space. I’m getting better at allowing for the white space and will keep working on it.
The hustle mentality that seems to drive our society is making us sicker by the day. I do mean that literally. The pressure to accomplish more, to be busy ALL the time, puts a strain on our physical, emotional, and energetic bodies that is unsustainable.
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The last three clients I’ve worked with had schedules that reasonably a team of three could not complete. This puts our nervous system in a constant state of hypervigilance.
Historically my go-to was to add all-the-things to my to-do list only to feel frustrated that I didn’t get it all done, despite it being impossible. What I try to do now is 3 things to get done, breaking bigger projects into tasks and adding just the task, not the entire project to the list. Paradoxically I get more completion this way (and less stress).
When something happens to slow us down an injury, an illness, or a lingering sense of dissatisfaction/malaise, the expectation is that it will be fixed instantaneously.
The truth is, the healing that must take place is not a rapid process. The deterioration was not rapid, though it may seem that way.
For months or more likely years, our systems sent us signals, slow down, take care, pay attention, and instead of listening, those signals went ignored.
We’re taught to ignore those signals. It’s what society values. It’s the only way we know how to get through the day, week, and month. Over time the nudges become more prominent and harder to ignore, oftentimes bringing us to a full stop.
75 % of those diagnosed with autoimmune disorders are women, and up to 90% of those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia are women. In the United States alone, that’s roughly 21 million women. These numbers are sobering. High-stress levels have been linked to the increase in these numbers.
We need to slow down.
We need rest!
We need to play.
We need to consciously reconnect with our bodies.
We need to consciously reconnect with ourselves.
We need to consciously reconnect with others
The thing is, women take on so much, wanting to be helpful, trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, and caring for those they love, that they forget the first person on that list should be them.
Take a look at the schedule of one of the women in my research group (used with permission)
6 am – 7 am wake up, shower, get ready
7 am – 7:30 am feed cat, make lunch
7:30 am – 8:30 am breakfast, pick up the house
8:30 am – 6:30 pm work/commute
6:30 pm – 7 pm catch up on email
7 pm – 8 pm make and eat dinner
8 pm – 9 pm throw in a load of laundry, do the dishes
9 pm – 10:30 pm watch a show and scroll Facebook
10:30 pm – 11 pm get ready for bed
11 pm – 12 am watch a show and scroll Pinterest
12 am – 6 am sleep
This is a typical schedule. Just looking at it exhausts me. It’s no wonder we are burnt out, stressed, and getting sick.
This is not living. This is existing.
It’s time to take back our time. Define our own unique version of success. Get the rest we need. Do the things that nourish us. And stop apologizing for it.
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A challenge for you – This week, find 10 minutes a day just to be – no phone, no book, no screen, just you and your thoughts, and a few deep, slow breaths to help reset your nervous system. Set a timer and just be.
Drop me a note by hitting reply and let me know how it goes.
Be Well,
Cathy
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P.S. If you’re looking for some tools to help you improve your mindset, energy, and stress level, check out the Heart Chakra Realignment
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