Have You Been Brainwashed Too?

Are your weeks filled with long To Do lists that just never seem to get done (or shorter for that matter)?

You are taking care of everyone else’s needs as well as your own but there is just not enough time in the day. Since you are usually the last on the priority list, your needs are the ones that don’t get taken care of. 

As Kate Northrup says, “Cultural brainwashing raised us to believe that our worth is equal to our achievements, and that if we’re not doing anything, we’re essentially worthless. This is a lie.”

We are busy doing things to make us feel like we are good enough. But our busyness keeps us from connecting with ourselves and taking care of ourselves.

I totally understand this; it wasn’t until I actually had to deal with chronic illness that I learned that I couldn’t keep ignoring my own needs. I had to make it to my priority list. 

That was when I started learning how to do less to actually get more done. 

It sounds ironic, doesn’t it? But it’s been a game changer for me. 

Having chronic illness helped me to realize that I have a finite amount of energy each day. I had to really take a step back and look at what I was trying to get done each day and what really needed to get done. I also had to make sure that some of my energy was allotted for my own needs. If I didn’t take the time to take care of myself, I wasn’t going to be well enough to take care of the people and things that were important to me. 

I learned how to slow down, how to rest when I needed to, how to include myself on my priority list, and how to be kind to myself when things didn’t go as planned. It wasn’t easy and is actually still a work in progress. But doing less each day actually gives me more energy in all areas of my life. I am not walking through life like a zombie. I actually get more done and I am fully present for each person and event in my life.  And isn’t that what we are all working towards, being more present in life?

If you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted with a never ending To Do list, take a step back and see what really needs to get done. Can certain things wait or be delegated to someone else? Make sure YOU are included on that list each day. Start doing less and notice how much more you actually get done each day.

You are taking care of everyone else’s needs as well as your own but there is just not enough time in the day. Since you are usually the last on the priority list, your needs are the ones that don’t get taken care of. 

As Kate Northrup says, “Cultural brainwashing raised us to believe that our worth is equal to our achievements, and that if we’re not doing anything, we’re essentially worthless. This is a lie.”

We are busy doing things to make us feel like we are good enough. But our busyness keeps us from connecting with ourselves and taking care of ourselves.

I totally understand this; it wasn’t until I actually had to deal with chronic illness that I learned that I couldn’t keep ignoring my own needs. I had to make it to my priority list. 

That was when I started learning how to do less to actually get more done. 

It sounds ironic, doesn’t it? But it’s been a game changer for me. 

Having chronic illness helped me to realize that I have a finite amount of energy each day. I had to really take a step back and look at what I was trying to get done each day and what really needed to get done. I also had to make sure that some of my energy was allotted for my own needs. If I didn’t take the time to take care of myself, I wasn’t going to be well enough to take care of the people and things that were important to me. 

I learned how to slow down, how to rest when I needed to, how to include myself on my priority list, and how to be kind to myself when things didn’t go as planned. It wasn’t easy and is actually still a work in progress. But doing less each day actually gives me more energy in all areas of my life. I am not walking through life like a zombie. I actually get more done and I am fully present for each person and event in my life.  And isn’t that what we are all working towards, being more present in life?

If you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted with a never ending To Do list, take a step back and see what really needs to get done. Can certain things wait or be delegated to someone else? Make sure YOU are included on that list each day. Start doing less and notice how much more you actually get done each day. Comment below and let me know how it is working for you!