CALLING MY OVERWHELMED AND OVERWORKED FRIENDS RIGHT NOW.
Are you busy to the point of exhaustion?
Are you telling yourself to just ‘suck it up’ and ‘get it done?’
Are you stuck in the overwhelming busy loop because society always tells us that busy = better. That hustle culture is valued. That ‘team no sleep’ is celebrated?
Your lifestyle looks or sounds amazing to other people but deep down, you’re unhappy or even teetering on burnout?
I’ve got some strategies for you today!
To the rescue comes boundaries!
Boundaries are sexy, and you heard it here first!
It’s time to set some schedules and boundaries, my friend.
If you are in a very busy season right now, first, I’d like you to give yourself grace. Practice compassion, PLEASE.
Here is a two-step strategy to follow.
Step One: Time Blocking
First, if you MUST stay up late working to get it all done, the idea is to schedule it in pockets on your calendar throughout the week. Guard and protect those working times, and don’t cheat outside the allotted times. Time block it.
So for example, you will give yourself permission to stay up late Tuesday nights and Thursdays night, from 8-10pm to work. When you’re having dinner, or with the kids until then, your phone is off, in the other room until 8pm. You work efficiently at 8 (notifications off), and at your hard stop at 10, you begin a gentle wind down and bedtime routine.
BUT – on the all the other nights, YOU ARE UNPLUGGED. Totally enjoying! So that means if it’s a Monday night or Wednesday night for example, you watch a movie, listen to a podcast, facetime a friend, do some gentle yoga, bake something, do a puzzle, read a book, you get the idea. NO emails, No sneaking to check – you know a work night is coming tomorrow night, so allowing yourself peace and enjoyment tonight!
Step Two: The 15 Minute Earlier Wake
And then once this is going well and you have separated work and pleasure, on the evenings you are NOT WORKING, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier and waking 15 minutes earlier the next morning. Download the Down Dog app and incorporate a 10-12 minute beginner yoga or stretching class. Try this twice per week.
That’s it.
This two step program will move the needle for you over time.
I promise.
It will get you feeling better physically and emotionally.
You build your self-care and time management toolbox during stressful times. And you get really intentional with the boundaries.
Setting healthy boundaries is an essential part of your well-being and personal growth. I know it can be difficult to establish and maintain boundaries, but it is worth the effort to start getting more intentional in your days, and in turn, creating a more fulfilling life. Setting firmer boundaries that align with your values and needs is what it’s all about, my friend.
So, if you’re still burning the candle at both ends, take the time to first reflect on what boundaries are getting eroded in your life, and next, start by time blocking some of the work, and then moving your body.
If you could use a little handholding during this busy time to create some better systems in your life, book a coaching session with me today,
Yours in wellness and self-care,
