Doing less

As a chronic overachiever and a naturally curious person, I am always doing something. I’m always in some kind of course or working on several projects at once (why pick one when you could have more than you’ll ever finish? 😅). 

So for me, when I do my nightly evaluation of, “Was I 1% better today?” Sometimes the answer is no for an odd reason: I pushed myself too hard. After many years of working 12 hr days early in my career, I’ve had to break myself of thinking compulsive working is the answer to everything. Bored? Why not work a little. Need some money? Pick up a couple of freelance jobs. Projects not performing well? Work harder on SEO and SEM. 

But constantly going and grinding is not always the answer. Over the last few years, I’ve worked really hard on doing less. When I make the conscious decision to not give into the impulse to work, I find that my stress levels go down, I have more energy to do the activities that bring me joy (and discover new things that make me happy, too), and I’m not constantly teetering on the edge of burnout. 

So if I’ve had one of those days, where my anxiety compels me to work non-stop, at the end of the day I’m not a better person for giving in to that. The thing that would have been better for me would have been to rest.

Over time, I’m getting better at this. If I’m tired I rest instead of making another cup of coffee to get me through the next task. If I’m too tired for a vigorous workout I’d had planned, I do some yin yoga instead. The examples go on and on.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is nothing, not more.

With gratitude,

Natalie