The older we get the more we tend to have going on in life. We have jobs, friends, family, school, dogs, whatever it may be...things add up. It's not a bad thing, it's a wonderful thing to be overwhelmed with social engagements, with family dinners, being enthralled in your job, it's all good things because they're all important to us and bring us joy. But it's okay to admit that at times we can be overwhelmed at the end of the day and we forget to set aside times for ourselves.
In one of my classes we all discussed what's been hindering our overall wellbeing lately and the most common answer was that people were and are emotionally exhausted. This was because they are constantly trying to keep up with every petal on the flower of life to keep themselves and the people they care about happy. It's important to find a happy balance between a little selfishness and a little selflessness.When we say we need to have to have some alone time it can often be taken in a negative way. It's quite the opposite, sometimes we need a few minutes whether it's at the end of the day, in the middle of the day, or in the morning to just regroup and have some alone time whatever that may entail. It's so important to be in touch with ourselves so that we know what we may need. There are points when we can emotionally exhaust ourselves just because life was busier than usual but at the end of the day, we still can't forget about our regrouping time.
A big thing I always tell myself is that it's about quality rather than quantity. In saying this I mean, don't spread yourself too thin running all over creation to keep everyone happy when you will be exhausted while you are with them. Take the time to plan. Plan things to look forward to with your family, with your friends, whatever or whoever it may be. Don't do things out of habit or because you feel you need to, do things mindfully. Be mindful of yourself and be mindful of others.
So surround yourself with the people who revive you rather than bring you down, find people who work in similar ways that you do. It's good to have some diversity but always remember yourself and your well being too. Spend your free time doing the things that make you feel free or accomplished or whatever it is you may need to feel revitalized and refreshed at the end of the day. Love people, love yourself, and love the life that you're putting all of your time and energy into. Find who and what makes you happiest.
