Busy Doesn't Have to Result in Burnout
And that doesn't mean "Slow Living" is your answer either.
Slow and steady in many cases does pay. But amongst the slow and steady there are moments where one must push. Move quickly. Take swift action. Operate with a very full plate.
Rest is a lifeline to our wellbeing, yet there are times that rest isn’t on the forefront of supporting what needs to happen. There are intermittent moments where one simply cannot sit back. Things need to get done.
Let’s celebrate our softness yes, our ability to move slowly and mindfully, but also, let’s celebrate our resiliency, our ability to endure, and our ability to take action, make choices, and move forward when it seems difficult or impossible.
In some cases, staying still can be your demise. Taking too much time to stop and think, to contemplate, to make the “right” choice, can land you in a place of stuck-ness. The zone of avoidance and procrastination.
Meditation is great, but sometimes the need to “meditate on it” isn’t necessary. Not every choice requires such thought.
Our bodies crave stillness, softness, ease, and rest, yet they also crave strength, endurance, movement, stress even. Our being loves moments for reflection, pause, deliberation, and slowness, but they also enjoy their ability to think fast, move quickly, and act instinctively.
Balance is everywhere, including in the pace and rhythm in which life is experienced.
It can’t be all slow, just as it can’t be all fast. Just as it can’t be purely by instinct, it must also be mindful.
For many years, my swiftness, impatience, and a tendency to make quick decisions were perceived as flaws (by me), something requiring permanent slowing to prevent burnout. The idea that these traits needed correction led to over-correction, a common human response to label behaviors as "bad" and then to seek immediate replacement with "good" ones.
Messaging on this topic often gets lost amid an abundance of information, especially in bite-sized IG posts. Across all industries, there's an imbalance in the emphasis on slowing down, managing stress, understanding the nervous system, and preventing burnout. Rather than blindly adopting advice, consider the following approach:
Reflection. Contemplation. Assessment.
Personalize the information. How does it apply to your life? I realized that my swiftness was one of my "superpowers," needing temperance rather than elimination. It empowers me to act in the face of uncertainty, utilizing resilience, faith, and trust.
The focus should be on balancing pace and energy, not on slowing down the act of accomplishing goals. The resolution lies in celebrating and harnessing the ability to move quickly, take action, and thrive under pressure while incorporating moments of reset, restoration, and rest.
In the midst of action, make space for slow moments, stillness, and ease. It's about incorporating both aspects rather than choosing one over the other. Life requires a rhythm that accommodates both busyness and rest.
The challenge is to find balance in the midst of overwhelming messages about rest, the nervous system, and burnout. Instead of adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach, find a personalized rhythm that works for you.
Rather than fixating on the dichotomy of slow versus fast, focus on finding a middle ground. Life demands temperance, and the key lies in observing your state of being, timing, and mindset. Pay attention to how you move through your day, addressing rushed, tense, or stressed attitudes.
Consider the metaphor of stove burners as a tangible way to view your energy levels. Adjust the temperature as needed, recognizing when your flame requires modulation. It's about your state of being, not just the quantity of tasks completed.
By developing self-awareness and discernment, you can adjust your timing and pace to prevent overwhelm and burnout. Pay attention to your burners, ensuring there's space for rest and breaks in your schedule. Take proactive measures to recharge before life forces a break upon you.
Ultimately, find a rhythm that aligns with your being, body, and energy. Focus on self-care and well-being, and don't be swayed by external expectations. Learn from moments of burnout, using them as lessons to modulate your tempo in the future. Regularly assess your schedule, aligning plans with your well-being, and make adjustments as needed.
There is still a work in progress for me, like all health and wellness practices. But overtime, I’ve definitely made improvements, that’s what counts.
It’s important to celebrate progress and balance, not perfection.
Share your experiences and insights on finding balance in the comments. How have you learned to temper your energy, and what benefits have you observed in both slow and fast approaches?
