As many of you know, and as I've mentioned on here a few times before, I am constantly on the go. I am always moving from one activity to the next, always making new plans, and always bursting with energy. However, recently I have been feeling extremely burned out and run down. For the past month or so, I have been putting way too much on my plate. A usual day for me is waking up around 10:30, making plans with friends(usually the beach), coming home at 3:30, working from 4:30 to around midnight, then going out after work till around 2am, and then repeating. No matter how much I sleep, I can not help feeling completely and utterly exhausted. I love my friends and my job and all of the other activities I fill my days with, but I think it is time to slow down a bit.
For example, sometimes all my friends are going out and deep down I know I am tired and should go home and go to bed, but I go out anyways because that is just my personality. I love going to the beach and dinner and being at all the parties, but sometimes you have to listen to the little voice in your head telling you you've had enough. The problem with doing too much is that it isn't healthy, your body needs a break every once in a while to just relax. I've been definitely feeling the repercussions of over extending myself, and honestly it feels terrible. I've been so tired, grumpy, and just plain unhappy because I have been putting way too much on my plate. I always make an effort to take time in my week to slow down, mostly by going to yoga three days a week. But sometimes it takes more than that, especially for someone who is so used to (and comfortable) with going 100 miles her hour 24/7.
Today I took some time to go to the beach by myself and just do a little tanning and reading. At first I was very irritable, I had trouble sitting still and kept getting up or checking my phone, but after a while I found relaxation with the ocean waves and my book. Slowing down is really hard, but it is crucial to your mental and physical health. Let the thoughts go, give your body a break, and just take a step back from your hectic life every once in a while. It shouldn't have to get to the point where I got, where I was drained and exhausted and had no other choice but to slow down, it should be a conscious every day thing. Have a cup of coffee, go to bed early, take a yoga glass, read a book, do something good for your soul.
A major part of slowing down is not being afraid to say no. I legitimately cannot say no for my life, and it's a huge problem for me. I always feel like I have to say yes to whatever plans or commitments come my way, and therefore I end up being burnt out. In order to slow down you have to decide when to say no to certain things. Your friends are going out, but you are SUPER tired? Just say "you know what, I'm going to get some sleep, have fun!" It's not the end of the world if you miss out on a few things, it will benefit your health and life in the long run. You don't have to be everywhere and do everything for everyone else in your life, just focus on doing you.
Look at your life. Make changes and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy your life without feeling drained and exhausted all the time. Do the things you love to do and with the people you love, but make sure you leave time for yourself too. I am a fast paced person, that is just how I am, but there is definitely a happy medium. Finding the balance is key in life, and it is possible. Does this mean I have to totally shift my life? No, it just means that I have to be aware when I am over extending myself and slow it down a bit. Your health and happiness is your number one priority, so be sure to take care of yourself and put yourself first.
Don't be afraid to slow down, I think you'll be surprised by how wonderful it feels. Have you been feeling drained lately? What helps you slow down?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
For example, sometimes all my friends are going out and deep down I know I am tired and should go home and go to bed, but I go out anyways because that is just my personality. I love going to the beach and dinner and being at all the parties, but sometimes you have to listen to the little voice in your head telling you you've had enough. The problem with doing too much is that it isn't healthy, your body needs a break every once in a while to just relax. I've been definitely feeling the repercussions of over extending myself, and honestly it feels terrible. I've been so tired, grumpy, and just plain unhappy because I have been putting way too much on my plate. I always make an effort to take time in my week to slow down, mostly by going to yoga three days a week. But sometimes it takes more than that, especially for someone who is so used to (and comfortable) with going 100 miles her hour 24/7.
Today I took some time to go to the beach by myself and just do a little tanning and reading. At first I was very irritable, I had trouble sitting still and kept getting up or checking my phone, but after a while I found relaxation with the ocean waves and my book. Slowing down is really hard, but it is crucial to your mental and physical health. Let the thoughts go, give your body a break, and just take a step back from your hectic life every once in a while. It shouldn't have to get to the point where I got, where I was drained and exhausted and had no other choice but to slow down, it should be a conscious every day thing. Have a cup of coffee, go to bed early, take a yoga glass, read a book, do something good for your soul.
A major part of slowing down is not being afraid to say no. I legitimately cannot say no for my life, and it's a huge problem for me. I always feel like I have to say yes to whatever plans or commitments come my way, and therefore I end up being burnt out. In order to slow down you have to decide when to say no to certain things. Your friends are going out, but you are SUPER tired? Just say "you know what, I'm going to get some sleep, have fun!" It's not the end of the world if you miss out on a few things, it will benefit your health and life in the long run. You don't have to be everywhere and do everything for everyone else in your life, just focus on doing you.
Look at your life. Make changes and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy your life without feeling drained and exhausted all the time. Do the things you love to do and with the people you love, but make sure you leave time for yourself too. I am a fast paced person, that is just how I am, but there is definitely a happy medium. Finding the balance is key in life, and it is possible. Does this mean I have to totally shift my life? No, it just means that I have to be aware when I am over extending myself and slow it down a bit. Your health and happiness is your number one priority, so be sure to take care of yourself and put yourself first.
Don't be afraid to slow down, I think you'll be surprised by how wonderful it feels. Have you been feeling drained lately? What helps you slow down?
Love Always,
Olivia Jane
My favorite "slowing down" activity, yoga!
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