You Can Do Anything, But Can't Do Everything.

As I was walking the dog, listening to Spotify,  I was inspired by Emma Neil and Anna Archer's recent podcast episode where they opened up about how there are so many things that we can do in our lifetimes but we won't ever have enough time. I love my daily lists and the physical action of crossing them off gives me a sense of relief, however, although it is effective, it isn't always healthy. I can get a lot done during the day but I never give myself a break and if I am not doing something productive I feel guilty. If this resonates with you at all then this post can be helpful. In this post, I want to share with you the tips I've learnt and recently put into practice to improve my daily stress of ticking off tasks.  

You need to be ok with not having the time or energy to do everything and the place that you are at the moment is happening for a reason you need to reiterate that "I am doing my best" but this is not always so easy. There are five main ways of breaking down the thoughts of what is necessary and what's stressful.

1. Give yourself permission 

In order to fully relax you have to give yourself permission to let go of the expectations you have put on yourself and just enjoy where you are at the moment. If there's something that needs to be done but you're not in the right mind space- give yourself permission to pass on it and do it at another time when you will be more productive. 

2. Flow with your passions 

Allow yourself to do what you want to do rather than what you think you should be doing. Follow your passions and see what comes from them, even if that's nothing other than for your own enjoyment. 

3. Don't resist the change 

If something in your life is changing, whether that's a job or school starting again; rather than fearing it, embrace it. Remember that not everything will follow your daily routine and you should allow the upcoming changes to emerge without anxiety. 

4. Don't stick to what you think you need to do 

If you are saying "I should do this" you probably do not want to do it and it isn't always necessary to force it upon yourself. There is a difference between getting work done and ticking unnecessary things off your personal 'to-do list', for example going to the gym when your tried won't achieve anything. 

5. Celebrate what you have achieved 

It's important to give yourself the praise that you deserve before moving on to the next thing on your list. If you have had a big week at work, it's ok to take the weekend off for yourself or cancel plans if you are too tired. 

Something that stuck with me was that there were certain things that are more important than others. Putting in place these values gives you time to enjoy the thing you want to get done. Time has to be taken out of my busy life, therefore, it is recommended to have certain activities that you try to include in your routine to stop and reflect. 

My Daily List:

1. Walk 

Every day I try to give myself a 30 min break to take time away from the day and listen to podcasts or phone a friend. 

2. Bath and Read 

I try to read every day and the place I find most relaxing is in the bath with a candle going, away from my phone and any distractions. 

3. Workout

Moving my body in any way helps to change the direction of my thoughts by focusing on the moment rather than what I need to get done. 

4. Cook or Bake 

Cooking or baking is something that is productive while still being enjoyable and relaxing. I can listen to music and make a nice treat to enjoy later. 

5. Coffee shop breaks 

I try and write a blog post every week to keep up with my readers and express myself in a creative way. To take myself away from my daily routine I go to a local coffee shop to treat myself to a coffee while still being proactive. 

I am a person who thrives on stability and productivity, and this is not a bad thing, there are many positives to this, however, too much can be tiering. With these new changes, I hope my new motto will be "Work hard, rest hard" just like Anna Archer.

Love, Aria 

XO