why self love sometimes looks like doing less, not more
Being on the go all the time can make me feel productive and important. I love to feel like my job matters, and I love to feel significant in people’s lives.
It makes me feel like this life is worth living, and the world wouldn’t be the same without me.
Those feelings can keep me going and going, especially when people are dependent on me. But it starts to take a toll when I’m not pouring back into myself.
It starts to take a toll when I notice I’m living for a to-do list, feeling like I’m constantly out of time or putting too much on my plate.
You should feel present in your life, not like you’re chasing feeling accomplished and productive.
Taking time for yourself to do less is self love because it allows for better priorities, less stress and more rest to make life more enjoyable.
better priorities & time to enjoy personal time
When you don’t put pressure on yourself to do any and everything imaginable, you free up time to focus on what matters most.
Having a few main focal points allows you to have better priorities and pour more of your time and energy into your top priorities.
It’ll take time learning what you spend time on that’s more valuable and what you can stand to lose.
For example, I’m a morning person. And I love to spend my weekend mornings with an early, productive start.
I love working out first thing in the mornings, but I also love going to a coffee shop as soon as they open to get some extra work done.
While fitness and work are both important to me, I know that I can’t fit them both in my schedule on my weekend mornings.
If I did, I’d be stressed and disappointed by not getting a good enough workout or being able to finish all the work I wanted to.
Depending on the week, I’ll evaluate my needs and what I most prioritize. I know that I can try to do more, but less is more as I strive to have a relaxing, meaningful morning.
Focusing on a task or activity at a time allows me to be more present in the moment, instead of rushing to get to the next thing and fill up my time as much as possible.
Life should be enjoyed, and I just don’t find constantly checking off a to-do list and planning and stressing about everything I have to do next is enjoyable.
you can rest and still be a go-getter
When you inevitably get to a point of feeling burnout, remember to take the rest.
Sometimes there won’t be anyone there to tell you to take time for yourself and do less. Sometimes you have to be the voice and feel comfortable advocating to do less.
I know, I know. We’re all scared of the repercussions and have a fear of looking like we can’t do it all, especially as women in this society.
I’m constantly dreaming of having it all, but one thing I make sure to include in my routine is rest and breaks.
Whether I’m intentionally recognizing when I overbook myself, or whether I’m so burnt out that I’m forced to let rest choose me.
It’s okay to not be completely on top of it all when faced with tasks. Take a break (or several) if you need them.
Having small, tangible steps that are coupled with breaks can make things feel more tangible.
As ambitious and successful women, do what you have to do to get yourself back on track.
Oftentimes, we want to prove we can do anything and everything, which can cause us to get less done due to burnout or lack of time.
Even if you miss an opportunity or someone looks at you sideways, it’s better than being completely unhappy or letting life pass you by.
It’s better than burning yourself out to the point where you can’t keep going at all.
additional content: it’s okay to rest and still have ambition
journal prompts to encourage taking it easy
What small steps could I take today to ease my mind and body?
How can I remind myself that rest is productive, too?
What activities no longer serve me when I’m tired or overwhelmed?
What would it look like if I gave myself permission to do nothing for a day?
What does balance mean to me at this stage of my life?
How can I reframe rest as an act of love toward myself?
How does being kind to myself change how I experience rest?
How can I nurture myself through my low-energy moments?
How can slowing down help me show up better for what matters most?
What’s one small thing I can do today that aligns with intentional rest?
read additional journal prompts on this topic here.
