Aren’t you tired? That’s what I want to ask people I meet who are so busy, the people who are doing it all. Don’t you want to stop now? I know the answer because I was the crazy-busy, do it all, run yourself into the ground girl.
I was tired.
I wanted to stop.
Once I did end my quest to do it all, and began my busy boycott, I realized while I was chasing it all, making sure I didn’t miss a thing, I was missing the most important things.
10 Things You Miss When You are Busy Doing it All
1. Heart callings
I remember feeling really burnt out at work and thinking there must be something better out there, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do instead, or how I wanted to spend my time because I was too busy to think straight. I know my heart was calling, but I didn’t have any attention left for it.
When was the last time you just sat still and thought, “Ok heart, what do you want?” Maybe now is a good time.
2. Sleep
I’m talking naps and seven or eight hours of actual night-time snoozing. If you think, I’ll sleep when I die, why wait? Sleep feels magnificent. Not only does it feel really good, but sleep has great health benefits too. Getting enough sleep provides more energy, less pain, especially if you suffer from chronic pain, better moods, and even better weight control.
3. Signs of distress
If you are moving at an unsustainable pace, your body is telling you. Your heart is telling you. Your family is telling you. They may only be whispering at first, but if you miss those early signs of distress, the whispers get louder. Pay attention to the quiet words and signals to avoid breakups and breakdowns.
4. Beautiful views
The world is a stunning place, but when you are rushing through the day, you overlook the beauty all around you. Start noticing beauty. Maybe it’s a mountain view, someone’s smile, art on the wall, or a gorgeous idea that crosses your mind.
5. Connection
Are you missing opportunities for connection with the people you love most? When you catch yourself saying, “just a sec” or “I’ll be done in a minute” while checking email or burying your head in work knowing it will take much longer, call for a full stop, make eye contact and say, “I’m here.”
6. Satisfaction
There is something more satisfying than checking items off your to do list. It’s knowing you’ve done enough, and that you are enough even if nothing else gets done.
7. Solitude
When you are running crazy, doing all the things, you don’t get to be alone, be quiet, or to be thoughtful. Solitude can calm you down and energize you. Being alone with nothing to do is something you don’t want to miss out on.
8. Love
You may be the most thoughtful, caring, loving person, but if you are always so busy, you are missing out on tiny moments of love all day long. Make time and space for love.
9. Savoring
What’s more glorious than the first bite of your favorite meal? Do you savor those first bites, or are you eating at your desk, in your car, or on the way out the door? Savoring is a gift you can give yourself anytime.
10. Free time
Remember recess? We need unscheduled blocks of time to be free. I don’t say no because I’m so busy, I say no because I don’t want to be so busy. I want free time. We all deserve time to be curious, bored, and idle. We deserve time to putter or to do nothing at all.
This might not be everything you miss while you are busy doing it all, but if you can slow down and reclaim even a few of the things on this list, you’ll feel more confident saying no, and look forward to waking up to a full life instead of a busy day.
