Stop Overcommitting
Something that came up in conversation with my friends the other day was overcommitting. Doing things we really don’t want to do but we feel obligated to for whatever reason. Especially as women, there can be a lot of pressure to show up for everything that is asked of you without consideration for what you really desire. When we allow ourselves to be pulled in so many directions without checking in with ourselves, we can quickly feel burnt out and spread thin.
Maybe you don’t even realize that there are areas of your life you are saying yes when it’s really a no deep down. That’s why the first need to deepen our relationship with ourselves so we can clearly hear our inner voice. This is personal to everyone but some of my favorite ways to connect to myself are:
walks with no distractions in nature
meditation
yoga/movement
cooking
journaling
sitting by the ocean and watching the waves
However you find space to quiet your mind, it is so important to disconnect from the outside world and be with yourself. Just get curious- What is on your mind? What thoughts are coming up over and over? What are you worrying about? What are you feeling when you commit to something that feels like a no deep down?
I find that more often than not, we are worried about something we committed to but should’ve been a no. Said yes to that dinner on Friday night with friends even though it has been a long week and you know you really just need a night in with yourself? Told someone you‘d help them with something even though you already have way too much on your plate to handle? Told your boss you can handle an extra task but it’s preventing you from doing any of the tasks to the best ability? This is normal. We want to please people. This is often seen as admirable. But before too long, you’re burnt out and there’s nothing left to give.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, you first need to fill your own first. Identify the things that energize and ground you and make those your priority. They can be small such as the things I listed above or simple things such as rest. This isn’t selfish. Making those your focus will allow you to give more abundantly when you do choose to say yes.
Of course, there will be times when we need to follow through with things that aren’t exactly what we want to do, but being mindful more often than not about what you truly need is key to fulfillment and allows you to show up even greater for others when you choose to give your energy.
Our intuition is so wise - allow it to guide you to the things that elevate your relationships, work, and lead to a more fulfilled life. <3
