One Positive Action

Take control of your time and set boundaries:

If you’re like me, saying no is hard, and I often end up feeling obligated to doing every little thing that anyone else asks of me. It might feel fine, or even good to say yes, but overtime if you’re giving more than you receive, you’ll eventually end up feeling fatigued, and even burnt out. When you set boundaries, you’re not just cutting people off, you’re just setting aside space for yourself that can’t be intruded upon.

Without boundaries, it’s so easy to become overwhelmed, taking on too much and neglecting our own needs. When you decide where to draw the line, you make room for things that actually serve you, that will actually serve your spirit. Whether it’s carving out time for yourself, limiting how much you commit to others, or reducing time spent on draining activities, boundaries create space for balance. Instead of living on autopilot, you start living with more awareness, and a healthier mindset.

Evaluate your daily routine, and write down the activities and people that feel draining. Are there certain tasks you can delegate or eliminate? Are there people who consistently demand more from you than you’re able to give? Once you’ve identified these, begin to set clear limits. One of the biggest that I’ve embraced, is any time after 5pm is MY TIME. I used to take pride in always working, always being on call, but it nearly killed me, I burned out, I had nothing left in the tank. Maybe that’s not an option for you, but maybe just saying no to an event that you’re not 100% on board with. Setting boundaries is just about making space to recharge, to be yourself, to have your own time.

Today, now that you've taken a minute to see what drains you, set some boundaries. If you have a shared calendar at work, there’s nothing more empowering that setting off a block and simply labeling it “Busy”. If you don’t have a work calendar, take this same prompt to your situation, if you get spammed with calls or texts, turn your phone off when it’s your time. Tell people No if they expect you to spend your time when it doesn’t serve you. Take charge of your time. It’s your time! The more you set these boundaries, the clearer your priorities become, and the more space you create for the things that really matter.