Too Busy for Your Own Good? Here's Why and How to Find Balance Again

Chances are, if you're reading this, you are exhausted from your life and looking for ways to slow down. You feel like you're constantly on the go or one step behind daily, and you're sick of it. We get it! We've been there before. Fear not; slower days are within reach! Here are the most common reasons you're busy with my go-to solutions for finding balance again. This entire list is based on my experiences of burnout and perfectionism. 

You're not saying "no" enough

Saying yes to everything is the simplest way to be busy and overwhelmed. While it's great to help others, you shouldn't do it at the expense of your well-being. Just because you have the free time to do something doesn't mean you have the capacity to. So if you've said "sure thing, no worries" one too many times, try saying the opposite. Saying "No" is perfectly okay and understandable. Boundaries exist to keep you safe and sane. So, you need to set boundaries and say no to things that don't excite you or that your support system can handle. If saying no doesn't feel like an option or spikes your anxiety ( people pleasers, I see you! because I am you), start with low-stakes scenarios, such as your best friend or closest colleague. You don't have to start with your boss, but you can start saying no today. You're a good person, even if you say "no" every once in a while. The best part about saying no is that you don't have to explain why; just say, "I can't take it on at this time." Most people will respect this and figure out another way to get it done without you. 

You're multitasking 

If you think splitting your attention between multiple tasks will return magical results, I have bad news for you. It'll have the opposite effect. You can only focus on one thing at a time, so when you try to multitask, it overstimulates you and drains your energy to the point you don't accomplish anything. What's even worse is that when you have a bunch of unfinished tasks on your list, you tend to feel overwhelmed and defeated. So, the first step to correcting that is to focus on one thing at a time and finish that thing before starting something else. Impossible? It's not. Everything needs time and energy. Nothing has to be perfect, but it's better to fully focus on the task and complete it. You can always refine or tweak things, but starting and stopping just to prove you can do it all will have negative consequences in the long run. 

Life is life-ing 

Sometimes a lot is happening, and you honestly have little time for anything new. We all have these seasons of life, and they are entirely normal. In this instance, time management tips and tricks won't save the day ( Sorry!). Instead, you'll want to accept that this is a temporary busy season, do your best, and forget the rest. It's a great time to lean on any systems you have in place and your daily routine as much as possible. Also, lean on your support system and family members to help lighten your load a bit. When life is that hectic, it's everyone's responsibility to step in and make a conscious effort to do what they can to help out with household chores and the tasks within their control. Also, try your best to designate and stick to time limits. So if you have social obligations, a doctor's appointment, or a new work project, put a time allowance for each one. Figure out clear stopping points for yourself so you can schedule downtime, self-care, and rest. Remember, self-care doesn't need to be expensive or take a long time. It can be as simple as sticking to your bedtime and washing your face. 

You're not filling your cup first 

Now, I know this is a cliche analogy that we are all sick of hearing. It's on every inspirational quote you see on social media, but the reality is that it's true. You can't pour from an empty cup, which busy people often do, and they wear this as a badge of honour. You probably have a colleague who brags about how they haven't eaten today yet, or they stayed up late finishing that report, or they have less time with their loved ones because they're "so busy." See, you're already picturing them, and you're annoyed. Don't be that person. Take care of yourself first and leave enough time in your day for YOU time and the things that fill your cup. If you're helping everyone else out and neglecting your needs, it will make you feel like you're on a hamster wheel. Filling your cup first is an act of self-care and a crucial step to maintaining both your physical and mental health. I recommend starting and ending your day with something for you, but if that's not possible, find a time that works best for you. There are 24 hours in a day; you deserve at least one, if not more, of those hours. 

You're trying to do it all at once or overloading your to-do list.

Everything on your to-do list tends to have more than one step to it. When you try to take on the entire process at once, it will add pressure and overwhelm you. Before starting on any task, have a brain dump session where you think through all the steps necessary to complete what you're doing. List out the entire process and use that list as your new to-do list. You'll be eating the elephant one bite at a time which will help the process feel more manageable and less stressful. You'll also feel more motivated to keep going because your knocking out smaller tasks everyday and ultimately creating space for more leisure time and the important things that matter most to you. It's a truly liberating feeling to see your progress while also enjoying the things you love to do. 

Being busy is often more about mindset than necessity. Most of the time, you have the ability to slow things down and set a pace that works for you. The next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath, get some fresh air, and choose to slow down. 

Slower, calmer days are within reach—they begin with a single choice to approach your day with intention.