I am Breaking the Cycle

Taking on too much.

We all do it. I seem to excel at it, and for me the end results are never pretty. I like to set standards for myself, sometimes (okay, most times) a tad to high, and spend the rest of the time scrambling around trying to catch up and do everything. This usually ends in me having a slight meltdown (cough, like last night, cough) before finally admitting defeat and taking a step back.

Iceland Winter Sun

I want to do it all, which sometimes I think is okay. But other times you need to know when to step back and take a break. And do you know what I am not good at doing?

Relaxing.

During the week I come home after work tired, like we all do, and tell myself I will just sit down for a bit and read or watch some TV. A few minutes into this “relaxing” time my mind starts spinning.

… I should get up and do that laundry

… I really need to figure out a hotel for New York

… I should be writing for the blog right now since I finally have some time

… How am I going to find the time to write that article for Girl Gone International

The thoughts just keep coming. I usually give in and stop trying to relax and tackle something on my never ending to do list despite my exhaustion. It doesn’t seem to matter how tired I am, I just can’t sit down and relax without stressing about all the other things I should be doing.

And you know what, I think we all are guilty of this in some way, especially women in my opinion, we just keep running and running until we have nothing left and totally crash. I know life gets busy, and we all have stress in our lives, but should we really let that control things?

I say no, life should be enjoyed no matter what and I am determined to stop this cycle. I am tired of feeling burnt out, and I am tired of guilt tripping myself when I go to relax. I am going to focus on me time, guilt free, and I challenge you all do to the same.

And to bring some cheerfulness into this post lets talk about things I love doing to help me relax, things that I am going to make sure I start filling more of my free time with, guilt free!

I am going to…

Read more. I love reading, I can get lost in a good book for hours!

Explore new places with H (and not worry about capturing the moment for my blog)

IcelandI did capture this moment though, tune in next week for more pictures of these adorable little houses!

Try new recipes. I love finding a new recipe on Pinterest and testing it out, but lately with a busy schedule I have stopped doing this. It is time to start again.

Watch my favorite TV shows. Doing the dishes, answering blog comments, editing pictures, not allowed during this time.

Call my sisters more often. They always make me laugh.

AzoraI’d call Azora too if she could sit still long enough to talk on the phone.

Take naps. Who cares if I have stuff to do, when I am tired a nap is all that should be on my to do list.

Enjoy more evening walks. I love being outside and getting a walk in after work is always rejuvenating. I need to do it more.

Winter in Iceland Really I am just going to do whatever I think will make me happy. If I want to spend my evening blogging away, I am going to do that. If I want to just lay on my couch and eat popcorn for dinner, I am going to do that. It is time to give myself a little break, treat yo self all day everyday!

Question of the Day?
Do you take on too much? How do you like to relax?

March 12, 2015 by
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  • http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.blogspot.com/ adventuresofalondonkiwi

    Yes, yes yes and yes!

  • http://www.adifferentpieceofsky.com Sara

    I couldn’t agree with you more! I think it’s all about finding balance and making sure you’re still enjoying the little things! :)

  • http://whisperingsweetly.com/ Shane Prather

    Can’t tell you how much I love this! I struggle with guilt coming home tired after work and not wanting to work on the blog. It’s just not healthy, we have to realize we just can’t do it all :)

  • http://www.fleetingplanet.com/ Gemma @ Fleeting Planet

    I’m exactly like this and have given myself a CRAZY list of goals to complete in 2015…(and I think it’s so important to challenge myself). But to do these things, I also need time to myself to just potter, drink coffee and read. Otherwise I crash and burn.

    It’s fantastic that you’ve found other things to focus on that will make you happy and relaxed. Just make sure these don’t end up being other things to tick off your to do list. :)

  • http://sophieinclogs.com Sophie

    Weirdly I think I’m a natural at giving myself down time - code for ‘lazy’ perhaps? hehe :) I love getting out and doing things and meeting people but at heart I’m an introvert and if I don’t get some quality time by myself on a regular basis I start to feel meltdowns coming, so I guess I learned from a young age that an hour of doing absolutely NOTHING is required at least a few times a week!!
    I think your goals are awesome - watching a tv show without any distractions is a dying art, even I, queen of lazy, don’t seem to be able to do it!

  • http://luyoutravel.blogspot.com/ Elizabeth Georgian

    You go girl! I’m guilty of this as well, but like you, I’m trying to chill out a bit. Good luck!

  • http://guntersabroad.blogspot.com/ Jamie | Gunters Abroad | Fit F

    I used to overextend myself like that too! I think that you just have to prioritise and let those not so important things just fall away sometimes! Walks, sister talks and reading…yeah I’d bump those up to the top! Laundry can wait :)

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    I’m also really guilty of this. I take on too much and then it builds up until I have an epic meltdown! x

  • http://www.gorjaeous.com/ Jae

    I feel like I’m on the same page as yours lately. I think about my upcoming visa interview and departure, and I already feel so tired.

  • http://www.adventurings.com Cynthia

    I have the same issue…. I can’t just relax sometimes! I always want to plan something, to keep busy, to be productive. It’s become extremely hard for me to just do NOTHING. But I think doing what makes you happy is the key here :)

  • http://www.somethingsaturdays.com/the-blog.html Elizabeth @Something Saturdays

    It sucks when you put pressure on yourself and you can’t relax; I can definitely relate to that. I always want to feel productive (and enjoy feeling productive), but being productive can also mean finishing off the book you’re reading, or baking something from scratch, or going for a walk etc. I like feeling as if I’m making the most of every minute but there’s room for relaxing and doing things you truly want to do within that.

    And yes, Treat yo self! … Farewell, Parks and Rec :(

  • http://prettythingandco.com/ Madaline

    I take on WAY way too much. Like last fall when I pretty much quit doing everything. Now, instead, I still do a lot, but I have certain time slots for everything and I don’t do it outside of those slots. It sounds a bit anal but it keeps me doing everything I actually want to without being obessesive or missing out on other things I need to do.

  • http://ofgoldenroses.blogspot.com/ Sara Rose

    I totally understand the whole not being able to sit down and watch TV without thinking about all the things I need to do. You’ll be able to sit down and relax soon enough, reading a good book is always a great way to do that!

  • http://www.smalltownsandcitylights.com/ Rachel @ STCL

    Couldn’t agree with this more! I have a bad habit of saying “yes” to everything and then feel like I have to do it all right away. It’s definitely important to find ways to relax/unwind!

  • http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This

    Yes, I can totally relate. I always feel guilty napping when there are ‘things’ I should be doing. I think - ‘Wasted time is not time wasted’ is a good thing to remember :)

  • http://www.lifeplus1.me/ Lifeplus1

    Yes, I do too. Meditation has helped me so much with this. It forces me to be in the present moment vs. worrying about the past or future. I’m really working on making it a daily practice and part of my routine.

    Good on you for taking note of your habits and trying to break the cycle!

    V
    Life+1

  • http://www.silverspoonlondon.co.uk Angie SilverSpoon

    I agree, sometimes we need switch off and unwind…personally I need a break from technology I think! I’m trying to get back into reading, and read at least a chapter a night.
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

  • http://thecollegecosmopolitan.com Caroline @ TheCollegeCosmo

    I definitely agree that we take on too much! I’ve been on the road to find balance as well, and it’s been really fun and freeing, even when I don’t do it that well. Good luck! I hope you get the rest you deserve. :)

  • http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com/ Kristen @ SYIAP

    that’s what i’m focusing on right now - doing what makes me happy. that’s all there is to life, really :)

  • http://cheburashkachels.blogspot.com/ Chelsea

    Good for you! Taking care of yourself is the most important thing anyone can do! I admit that I find myself taking on way too much way too often. Recently it took two weeks landed in the hospital to realize that pushing myself beyond the limits just.isn’t.worthit!
    And don’t be afraid to ask for help. I always tell myself as the woman I should be the one taking care of the laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, but I’ve started asking my man to pitch in and it has made a world of difference. Unfortunately most men need VERY specific instructions, but it’s a good start ;)

  • http://www.thesunnysideothis.com/ Isabel

    Yes to all of this! I forget to unwind, until oops, seems like I can’t wait up in the mornings! And also, siblings are the best source of laughter really! Keep living your life to the fullest because I bet you will come right back full of inspiration! I love how you transmit your enthusiasm and cheerfulness through your words always!

  • http://www.themidnightblog.com/ Charlotte

    I know exactly what you mean (I can relate 100% and it looks like a lot of people do!). It can be so hard to just… stop. Taking time for yourself is so important, and yet can be so challenging.

  • http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

    I totally agree! I’m so guilty of this. These past two weeks have absolutely forced me to stop and reevaluate where I want to focus my time and while it was me being forced to do this in the beginning, I feel like it also forced me to take a break and put some time into other things which are important to me. Sometimes I feel like if I’m not at work, I should be doing things for the blog but that’s just crazy and I finally realised this. Life is all about balance and I’m determined to find mine! Xx

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

    I’ve been forcing myself to have time away from the computer on a night because I’m at it all day, which is why I haven’t been blogging that much. Instead I sit down on the couch for a while and read my kindle. I’ve finished two books in the past couple of weeks and it feels great. It’s nice to set aside some time for relaxation, because if I sort of schedule it in, then I don’t feel like I’m neglecting everything else.

  • http://www.nomadnotebook.com/ Lizzy

    Take care of yourself lovely! I’m definitely guilty as well of taking on too much. As a result I often find it difficult to sleep as my mind is racing a million miles an hour thinking about all the things I should be and could be doing. I recently started trying to fit reading into my schedule again before going to sleep which has been helping and has been really enjoyable- I haven’t really picked up a book for leisure since before I went to university as I’ve been constantly reading things for my job or for my studies so I lost my love for reading in my spare time. I also like to get out of the house and just wander- both outside and around places like shopping centers just to try and keep my mind off things! I also like to take baths to relax- although the place we’re currently living doesn’t have one but hopefully soon we’ll be moving into our own place with a bath which will be amazing!

    Lizzy from Nomad Notebook

  • http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

    Oh girl, I hear you! Like my mom says, stop “shoulding” all over yourself and give yourself a break! You deserve to eat popcorn for dinner and take a walk or take a nap or talk to your family! Between blogging and travel planning, though, it seems like there is always something that does need to get done ASAP, so I understand how hard it is to relax. I need to find a balance between work, relaxing and exploring/getting out-they always seem uneven, usually with too much work! But self-care is so important!! I hope you take this weekend to do some of the things that will make you happy :) xo

  • http://www.beingleanna.com/ Leanna @ Being Leanna

    Good for you! We all need to just relax sometimes. It’s so easy to think about all the things we should be doing instead of relaxing but it’s important to take the time and quiet our minds. Good luck!

  • http://www.clemandmarcella.wordpress.com/ Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld

    I can totaaaally relate to this! I’ve found yoga and meditation help me when I feel like this. I’d really recommend searching ‘yoga nidra’ and ‘guided meditation’ on YouTube.