One Day at a time
So having written a newsletter most weeks for well over a year it’s been 3 quiet weeks with not a word from me.
Now I’ve got a secret to share with you.
I too have been exhausted.
Not a normal type of tiredness.
A somethings “just not right” type of tiredness.
One that’s affected my head space, I’ve just not had any space to write freely like I like to.
Any space has been filled with naps, falling sleep on the sofa, working on my laptop with my eyes closing.
This week I stopped trying to do everything and asked for help.
Luckily I have an amazing team around me and whilst I take a few steps to get myself back on track our Kirsty has written this weeks message.
One I’ve also taken on board.
One day at a time.
So here’s our Kirsty with her message for those of us who are left feeling “exhausted” after the longest month of the year.
January.
Over to Kirsty …
January felt like a really long month right? And I know its not just me because everywhere I go we are having the same conversation…
“I’m exhausted”
“I’m too tired to go out”
“Forget dry January it’s the only thing getting me through!”
“I’m so run down I’ve got another cold, I just can’t shake it”
I’ve been trying to remind myself that it’s ok NOT to keep pushing though until you completely fall down!
In all honesty I have to work really hard to take that rest, to stop and to recover.
When all around me is rushing about, trying to pack every moment full.
It’s ok to not do everything today and it’s ok to let go of one or two of the balls and let them fall.
Taking the pressure off can seem impossible when your mind is in overwhelm so I’ve been doing a lot of reading and listening to a lot of podcasts about wellbeing to try to get back on track.
And I realised its really all about mindset.
Often when we feel exhausted and have too much to do, these feelings of overwhelme stem from being asked to take on things we don’t want to do.
That extra lift for your teenage son, the work task really someone else should be doing, the social activity you should have said no to.
To switch from feeling grumpy about these situations I’m trying a different approach.
It takes work but I’m trying to remember to put my energy into the things I choose, the things that make me happy.
So instead of worrying that I have extra things to do today, I find which tasks in my schedule I will enjoy and focus on those.
Sometimes its just the walk with the dog, or 20 minutes soaking in the bath or a client I’m looking forward to spending time with.
Another tactic is to choose one thing every day that is for you, a hot bath, 15 minutes reading, walking, an exercise class, cooking or whatever makes you feel like you are in a flow of feeling good.
By allowing myself to focus energy on these positives I am feeling much more productive and focussed.
I’m journaling them to acknowledge how important they are and ending the day feeling that this day was fabulous.
Such a small mindset shift but it’s been really powerful for me. Let us know if maybe it would work for you.
Kirsty (Karen & the team)