All the Time
When we traded our previous hectic lifestyle of managing three brick-and-mortar businesses for retirement in O Rosal, Spain, we expected time to move slowly. Would we become bored without the hustle of business responsibilities, and endless tasks demanding our time?
Since moving out here, time moves faster than the clouds on a stormy day!
I often find myself racing against the clock and feel guilty if I’m not consistent in my morning routine. I strive to wake up earlier to get things out of the way before the day gets away from me, but the thought of getting meditation out of the way goes against why I meditate in the first place!
What fuels the need to accomplish so much in a single day to avoid feeling guilty? How can we avoid taking it out on ourselves and others when we don’t gobble up all the goals we set out for the day?
I know I’m not alone in feeling the need to be productive, often we wear being busy as our badge of honor. When someone asks how you’re doing, often the response is “I’m so busy”. So where does this belief system come from?
How have we become slaves to our ambition! -gratitude365
The societal norm of over achieving is more prevalent in cultures where there is a strong emphasis on success, productivity and high achievement. Social media and the act of comparing our lives to others can contribute to feelings of inadequacy or the perception that we're not accomplishing enough.
I have personally struggled with feelings of not achieving enough, and can be hard on myself if I don’t get everything completed on the list for that day.
I have had so many lists, the lists I would create have their own lists!
Maybe it's to declutter my mind, or maybe it's the sense of fulfillment I find in ticking off completed tasks at the end of the day. Even though I am the only one reviewing my lists, but the act of checking off items is somehow reassuring.
Structuring your day with a checklist does have its advantages and disadvantages.
Checklist Advantages:
Provides structure and creates a guideline for your day. This can help to alleviate some stress and overwhelm of keeping it all in your head.
Gives you a dopamine boost when you check each task off, giving you momentum and the feeling of accomplishment.
Prevents you from getting distracted and tempted to take on more projects.
Checklist Disadvantages:
You’re never really in the present moment, you’re living for the next item on the list.
You could set too high of expectations for the day and feel defeated when you don’t accomplish everything.
It wasn’t until we moved to Spain, did I realize how challenging it was to relax and not always feel the need to be doing something. Living in the countryside of Spain we’ve noticed life seems to be less about productivity and more about creating experiences with family and friends. Siestas are non-negotiable!
If you live in a fast paced society that thrives on productivity, how can you integrate a slower paced way of life into your hectic busy schedule?
Here are my 5 tips I’ve found helpful transitioning from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to satisfied.
1. Reframe your definition of success. Avoid the temptation to overload your to-do list with endless aspirational tasks. Listing 20 items is likely to lead to feelings of failure when you don’t complete them all. Instead, concentrate on completing two essential tasks and one enjoyable, playful task. Once accomplished, you'll feel a sense of fulfillment for the day.
2. Take on the hard task out of your three first, by completing that task first, you’ll have the momentum to complete the other two.
3. Fully engage in the present moment while tackling each task on your list. Even with seemingly mundane chores like unloading the dishwasher, practicing mindfulness can heighten your awareness and keep you grounded in the present moment.
4. Transform "have to" into "I get to" when approaching each task. This shift in language alters your perspective on the items on your list. By replacing "have" with "get," tasks become viewed as opportunities or privileges. You could even consider renaming your checklist to something more positive, such as "growth opportunities," which can further change your outlook on your day.
5. Set healthy boundaries, say no more than you say yes! Setting boundaries and practicing saying no more often is so important. While saying yes in the moment can feel good, it's important to consider how full your plate is already. Overloading your plate can leave you feeling overwhelmed and resentful. It’s okay to say no to additional tasks to preserve your well-being and focus. By letting go of some responsibilities, you create space to fully engage in what truly matters to you.
Finding joy in every task, whether easy or challenging, holds more value than simply checking it off as completed. Slowing down and being fully present cultivates a newfound appreciation for life.
“ Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished”
As I lay in bed at 10:00am, it’s an act of rebellion to have a list for the day waiting for me and not feeling the need to live by it. Appreciating and being present in this moment. Watching the sky change colors, my cats piled on top of me and replacing any feelings of guilt with gratitude. I can't help but feel that this sense of progress itself signifies success to me.
