When the Go, Go, Go Becomes Utterly Exhausting
The Drain of the Go-Go-Go Mentality
The holiday season is upon us! It's easy to feel the pressure of the go-go-go mentality. But what about when that feeling doesn't stop when the holiday season is over? We are in the new year, and the holidays are done, yet the sense of continued overwhelming and busyness still plagues us. What does that constant state of busyness do to our nervous system, brains, bodies, and lives? In short.. nothing good. But whether good or bad, there is this societal pressure to be not just busy but productive and not just productive but to make it look effortless (that's right social media, I'm looking at you.)
How to Find Release From the Exhaustion and Anxiety
So we know it's not good for us, we know that it sucks the life out of us, but what do we do about it?! Here are a few steps we can take to find more balance and pause in the go-go-go mentality of today's world.
Find the gaps and practice brief mindfulness. This can be before you grab your phone first thing in the morning, before or during a meal, in the shower, getting dressed, right before bed, etc. Engage in these moments mindfully. Pick one of these times during the day to routinely slow down and practice mindfulness of what it feels like to take a few deep breaths, stretch, taste your food, feel the water or smell the soap in the shower. Find ways to engage with life in these moments.
Practice kindness. I know, I know, easier said than done. If it's hard to be kind to yourself, start by practicing noticing (just noticing) when you are placing an unrealistic expectation on yourself. A way to check if this is unrealistic is to ask yourself if you would have this expectation for the person you love the most in the world. Would you expect them to fulfill this expectation 100% of the time as you expect from yourself? No? Then, if you can, ask yourself how you can ease up by 5% or 10%. What might be a reasonable expectation for that loved one?
Ask for help. I know, I know, another difficult one. But seriously, expanding when we are willing to ask for help can give us the time we wouldn't have had otherwise, and we might be surprised by finding the person on the other end who actually wants to help! Practice asking, "Hey, if you could help me by doing this one thing, I would be really grateful."
Look for ways to clear the mental clutter. When you get an email no longer serving you, click the unsubscribe button. Take a vacation from social media. Say no and mean it. Take 5 minutes and ask yourself what makes you feel settled and restored.
Draw boundaries. Holidays or not, boundaries are a part of healthy relationships! Take stock of the relationships in your life. What parts are energy-draining, and what parts give you energy?
Holidays or Not...
I hope this article has been helpful and gotten your brain turning in ways you can slow down amid a go-go-go mentality and society. Remember, you deserve to rest. You do not have to earn rest or reach a certain level of productivity before it's acceptable. Check in with yourself and with your needs. I encourage you to find just a few small ways to meet them.
If the holidays have felt triggering and you are ready to process past trauma and find stability in your life please contact me today and see if EMDR therapy might be right for you.
