Are you feeling overwhelmed, rushed and burned out? Do you have time to work on the things most important to you? Do you even remember what’s most important to you?
Although many choose to reflect upon their life during special times of the year, such as New Year’s or the change of seasons, anytime is a perfect time to reflect upon our lives. It is important that we take time to celebrate how much we’ve accomplished and also to check that we have not strayed off our intended path. What were those intentions we set at the beginning of the year? Have we become so bogged down with responsibilities and tasks that we don’t know if they relate to your goals or not? I often think of my teaching experiences. As the school year begins, I am always full of new ideas, energy and goals that I want to accomplish during the coming year. As the year moves into the first few weeks, full of seemingly endless meetings, I put some of my “most brilliant” ideas on the back burner because I run out of time to implement them. Then, the paperwork starts piling up – the lesson plans, grading, data reports, parent phone calls, and more. As my time fills us with supposedly well-intentioned tasks and responsibilities, I lose sight of my goals, of the excitement of the new beginning and soon become tired, overwhelmed, and lost.
It is during these times that I think to myself, “Why am I so tired?,” “How did the school year get so long?,” or “Is it really only mid-September? I’ve got nine more months of this!” It is during these times, when I also stop to reflect on the changing season, that I am reminded that everything moves in cycles, that there is always time to take a look at where I am and whether or not I’m following the path that will lead me to my goals.
So, if you find yourself in a similar position, know that changing your life is only a thought away! Take a look at the activities that you spend time on…the meetings, paperwork, and “to do” lists a mile long. Are all of these things necessary? Do they lead you to your goals? Once you list all of the activities in your day for a few days, prioritize them. Which ones bring you joy? Which ones are done out of guilt? Or obligation? Which ones tank your energy just thinking about them? The more joy you have in every activity that you do, the more time you will have, the more balance and calm you will feel throughout the day – no matter how busy it is. When you clear your clutter, don’t forget that which is invisible and start feeling more inspired, refreshed and joyful about each and every day!
