Guilty. I’ve spent most of my adult life working more than one job. In some cases, it was because I needed the extra income to support my family. And then there is the other part of the story where I secretly harbor this need to always do more. I’m a helper, a doer, and a save-the-world type that is never satisfied with the outcome. Always more to do, more to work on, and more people to help. Not a bad reputation to have, but certainly an exhausting one, and one that has finally taken its toll on my health.

I’ve seen more doctors in the past year than I care to admit. I’ve had a few trips to the ER resulting in hospital stays, new diagnosis’, people at the lab where I have my blood drawn who know me on a first name basis, and more often than not, pure exhaustion. Poked, stabbed, tested and lots of procedures later have not brought much closure, but only nagging reminders that I need to figure out a way to slow down. Not easy for a woman who has two separate careers, working on a licensure, taking classes, five children, a husband and a dog. Oh, and a social life – wait, never mind, there is no social life. And sleep? Try sleeping with a C-Pap, I hear it’s the bomb-diggity for sleep apnea, but for me it’s nothing more than feeling like I’m trapped and doing my best not to hyperventilate – I got more sleep before the machine, but I have to weigh that against the “not breathing” thing, so… 

Why is it that some of us feel the need to prove to the world that we are highly successful? What am I proving, and to whom? Sure, there have been some accolades and congrats along the way, but in all honesty that quickly turns into a simple red check next to an item on the To-Do list. And the harsh reality is that the To-Do list keeps on growing and never ends. Never.

Reflecting on this past year, my broken body has reminded me that it’s no longer an option to slow down. Something has to change. Not a choice. If I haven’t demonstrated to enough people that I do a pretty good job in my careers and raising a family, then so be it. I owe it to my family and myself to make changes and stick around for a while, preferably without the onset of any further ailments. How do I, and others like me, make those changes?

1.     Learn to say No. We’ve all heard the expression, “Just Say No”. It’s plain and simple. Quit volunteering for everything under the sun, and allow others to contribute and help. You are one person and CAN NOT do it all by yourself.

2.     Get plenty of rest. I recently saw a phrase that we should all hold onto. Rest isn’t a reward, it’s a priority. That struck home for me. Why do we feel that after a long day, we should “reward” ourselves with rest? Flip it around! How about making rest a priority and the work follows…

3.     Cut the To-Do list in half. Do you really need pages upon pages of things to-do? Probably not. Keep it simple and prioritize only those things that absolutely must get done.

4.     Take time for yourself. Do something for yourself every day. Take a walk in the park after a long day and just BE in nature. Find shells on the beach. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch. Go to a movie by yourself. Take a bubble bath. Do something for YOU.

5.     Stay active. Don’t allow the busyness of work lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Set a timer so you can get up from that computer chair every 15 minutes, spend time outdoors with your kids or friends, go to the gym, ride a bike, or take the stairs at work instead of the elevator.

We are given one chance at life on this earth. Our body is the vessel we were given to live this life so it’s important that we nourish and take care of it. Time to make changes.

“These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them”  …Rumi