After my classes on Tuesday, I was feeling pretty good. I had a full schedule, but don’t worry, it was totally reasonable. I can do everything, after all. I only wanted to be in class all day Tuesdays and Thursdays, turn in problem sets for one class on Mondays, turn in multiple writing assignments on Wednesdays and Fridays, keep up with my Fit U writers, develop blog content, train for a half, spend all day Sunday and all evening Tuesday in yoga teacher training, go to regular yoga classes, sleep, eat, and do a significant amount of reading for three of my four classes. And maybe have time to paint my nails or something.
So, totally confident I could manage this laundry list of tasks in your standard 168-hour week (which reminds me, I also have to do laundry), on Tuesday I signed up for the second round of yoga teacher training.
And yesterday, after long, annoyed, teary talks with my parents, I came to my senses and opted right back out.
It was for the best, but that doesn’t make it easier right now.
I’ve never exactly been the young adult who thinks she’s invincible. Growing up with all sorts of small and large health issues didn’t afford me that luxury. Instead, I’ve been the cautious one who tries to get to bed in good time, eats her veggies, and drives extra carefully. That said, I have always been able to do just about whatever I wanted to do.
You can do everything.
It’s a new year. Maybe you have some new goals or intentions for the year. Good news: You can do them all! If you want to quit smoking, find a new job, eat healthier, exercise more, etc., I totally believe you can. However, if you try to do all those things at once, you will most likely get overwhelmed and then not really do any of them. Take things slow. Pick the one that’s most important to you and just start there.
See, I can graduate with an undergraduate econ degree and go back to school for something entirely different later, or find a job right out of college and never go to school again. I can do a Whole30. I can write a book, keep blogging, and (maybe) run 13.1 miles in a few weeks. I can continue yoga teacher training and going to regular yoga classes and doing well in school
I have options. I can do everything. I was overwhelmed after two days.
I took a quick inventory of what I need to do now and what can wait a little. Well, I’m in school and almost done, and I want to do well. School stays, and is a huge time commitment. If I’m healthy enough, you can bet I’m running the half. The blogging and yoga classes are for my sanity. I can take this round of training at a later date, when I’m not a full-time student at a rigorous university. Much to my dismay, teacher training it is.
I can’t do it all at once. Realizing that was like a car crash that reminds formerly invincible you that you’re just a human, and you can totally get hurt just going about your daily life. So, I cried, because when you find out you’re just a human, not a wizard or a superhero, it’s always a little bit of a letdown.
When you find out you're just a human, it's a little bit of a letdown. #bgbcommunity #FitFluential Share on XStill, behind my sadness was a whole lot of relief. What I’m doing now, I’ll do well. And everything else can wait.
Your turn:
Do you tend to take on too much?
Since this is what’s on my mind, linking up with Amanda today. For a more typical Thinking Out Loud post: Why I’m Doing a Whole30 (and Other Reflections).
Yup. Just yup. It is a painful realization that you can’t do everything to the max at the same time. But it is also freeing. Focus on your main priorities for a hot second, then regroup and see if the others still matter to you. You’ll know.
LOVE YOU.
I 100% relate to this post. I take on way too much and then shut down when I feel overwhelmed. Prioritizing my goal has been a big thing I’m working on.
I think it’s a new thing I need to work on. I want to do it all… but then I realize I can’t. Priorities are good 🙂
Raises hand! Yes I do commit to way too much often, but this year I’m learning that it’s okay. God has the whole world in His hands, and I don’t need to be acting like I do, because I don’t. Like you said, we’re only human, so we can do a few things at once, but not everything at once.
That sounds like a great attitude, Emily!
I really trust you to make good decisions. Seems like you are well on the way. No, I have never taken on too much. Ha! Ha!
Thanks, Grandma. And haha, maybe you’re where I get it from 😉
I love your outlook! I guess you’re right, we can do everything…just not at once. I’ll be implementing this thought process into my (extremely chaotic) life.
I hope it helps you!
I definitely am guilty of putting too much on my plate at one time. It’s hard when you have so many goals! This was a good reminder that we can achieve all our goals, as long as we pace ourselves.
Yes! Best of luck with all your goals, Sarah!
I can totally relate to this. This year I’m focusing on learning to say “no” to things that I just don’t have the time and energy to commit my all to. If it’s something you’re really interested in (like your yoga training) better to save it for a time when you are able to devote your full attention to it so it doesn’t become a burden and you’re able to fully enjoy it. Good luck this semester!
Exactly. I want to do what I do well, so I have to limit the number of things I do. There are only so many hours in a day.
Wow this is basically the story of my life haha. I take on way too much sometimes and overestimate my abilities but with the help of God, I am slowly starting to realize when too much is too much 🙂
I hope you learn to slowwww down! 🙂
Loved this post, Ellen! I can totally relate. It’s definitely overwhelming to think about all the things that you could do. The problem with having so many options and choices for sure! I love that you have realized that you can’t do it all at once, that’s definitely a really great and inspiring thing to know.
Thanks, Aya! I hope you’re doing well 🙂
So I’ve just been planning out my blog content for the year and I started feeling overwhelmed because normally I don’t plan at all. When I write blog posts on the spur of the moment I don’t see just how many I have to write. Now I am looking at this calendar and there are soooo many posts to write…it seems so daunting.
But I guess it is just about doing a bit by bit until it is done. One step at a time!
Go you for planning! I’m so bad about that ?
I love this! I learned last year that I can’t do everything–and, I can’t do all of the things that some friends of mine seem to be able to fit into their days if I’m going to stay sane. It was really humbling for me, and disappointing, but a good lesson to learn! Best of luck with the start of the new term! <3
That sounds like what I’m learning now. Good luck to you, too!
Yesssssssssssss! This is such a great reminder!
I am a wearer of many hats so I am definitely one to take on too much as I often forget whilst I can do a lot of things – i can’t juggle them all at one time.
Good luck with the new term, girly!
I’d say you do a pretty good job 🙂
Oh girl, heck yeah! What a great post! I’m so glad you took a step back and decided to slow things down. I took a bunch of things out of the mix this weekend – it normally takes my boyfriend sweetly reminding me that I’m actually a human, not a robot, and I can’t be “ON” all the time. It’s hard to find that balance!
Good for you for learning to slow down, too, Allie! I hope you’re feeling better about things 🙂
I really feel you on this. I get restless if I don’t have something to do or look forward to, so I pack my schedule with hangouts and obligations. One problem I have is that I take up a lot of responsibilities in order to pad up my resume and strengthen my skills, so it’s difficult weeding out what I don’t need right now even though I believe it’ll help me in the long run.
I’ve done that in the past, too. It can be hard to get rid of certain activities, but it’s definitely beneficial for your sanity!