I am the queen of taking on too much. I am a teacher, graduate student, mother of two (and all that entails), business partner, writing a novel, blogging, attendee of various workshops, compiling my poetry book, reading professional development books for my job, and studying for my real estate license. There are probably a few other things that i haven’t mentioned but, I find that I am always tired and sometimes irritable.
Recently I went back to organizing my life and various appointments in my planner. It works for the most part until I forget that I have one (ha!). As I get older, I am learning to use a word that made me very uncomfortable before, “No”. Only two letters, yet it feels like utter betrayal. That feeling is beginning to subside for me a little as I reflect on what is important to me. My family is important to me. My faith is important to me. My health is important to me (I was diagnosed with MS- but I am not ready to write fully on that just yet). So, the betrayal that “No” ushers in doesn’t quite have the same impact any longer.
I am one person and I know that I can do amazing things in this lifetime. I can give back and also take care of myself but, that means prioritizing and putting what I value first. If you are encountering the same experience, just list out your top 3-4 priorities. When other things come up and if they are not a necessity, ask yourself “does this align with my priorities/what I value”? Then, kindly tell that task or that person I’ll need to take a rain check.
Live happy, well, and healthy
