Anyone who knows me would probably describe me as ‘over busy’ and they’re right. I get excited about all opportunities, I want to say ‘yes’ to everything, see and help as many patients as possible, meet family, and friends, run, walk the dog and do more yoga.
I began 2023 with a decision to work on doing less. I reduced my hours in my employed role, freeing up a whole day every week – bliss.
I knew I needed to become super focused if I wanted to reach the next stage of my life – working towards my dreams:
- More Yoga.
- More time with family and friends.
- Finishing my Yoga Therapy Diploma.
- Teaching in Greece.
Controlling my controllables!
Of course, this is not a perfect science and I find it a bit glib. There is much we can control, but such is the rich tapestry of life, a few curved balls entered the fray!
A colleague took seriously ill, a dear friend passed away and I was asked to deliver the eulogy – a privilege – but I wanted to get it right for her.
A family member took ill and I was only allowed limited access to see them, that changed daily and requires you to sit on the phone for literally hours (the hardest one).
All challenges with different complexities but the main one was a complete about turn on the available time I had to plan and focus, both physically and emotionally.
It’s been a challenging time, the four weeks of increased stress reinforced for me what I already knew. When our stress hormones remain too high for too long then all of our bodily systems are impacted, from sleep to energy, mood to motivation.
What I did:
Felt sorry for myself and then realised I had to stop feeling sorry for myself.
I think it’s necessary and normal to feel fed up/worried/angry and many other emotions for a while. Sitting with it is helpful. We have to know the lows to feel and appreciate the highs.
But then the realisaton that enough is enough and feeling sorry for yourself on an ongoing basis serves no purpose – especially for you.
Sarah Marsh
Eventually, I cut myself some slack – you really can’t control everything that happens.
Things always seem to happen at once, and no matter how organised you are, or how hard you tried we all only have 24 hours a day and 7 days/a week. Many things can be put on hold and have to be. Doing the best we can, is all we can ever do.
Asked for help and let friends and family know I had a lot on. That was quite a departure for me, but wow – I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.
What I’m doing now:
Trying to get back into my groove, to schedule some time to write and plan.
Two silver linings – having so little available time made me think about what I wanted to do. There are a few things I want to drop, and some I want to move deeper into. This time has produced so much clarity on this.
The second silver lining – although some behaviours around food and alcohol, sleep, and streaming mindless TV programmes were not impacted favourably at all times, I did manage to continue my fitness training. So I have emerged a little fitter – consistency is key.
Read more about my fitness journey and my goal set for health (and fun) in more newsletters plus updates on a new online training programme I am working on with my personal trainer combining movement and meditation and training for strength, wisdom and vitality.