There is always so much to do. My OMG SO EFFING
URGENT list keeps getting longer. I can barely stop to celebrate what I tick
off, because there is always so much more to do. I feel like I’m treading
water, exhausting myself without gaining any mileage. I am flailing in my day
job, pushing hard for my fledgling side business. Little losses, tiny triumphs.
Time with friends, phone calls to family fall to the bottom of my priority
list. I feel like I am failing everyone, including myself. I am always tired,
and there’s always so much more to do.
I have a feeling many of you are nodding in
recognition as you read this.
Since starting my business and this blog more than
a year ago, I feel like I’m on a treadmill. I wrote recently about how hard it
was to stop and relax during my summer break – and I’m facing a similar struggle.
At the start of 2016 I had a friend do an angel
reading for me, and one of the messages that came through was my need to have
more fun and be more social. I rolled my eyes. Who has time for fun, for God’s
sake?! There’s always so much to do. But because the angels are always right, I
took the advice on board and implemented a fun project – a once-a-month
commitment to do one fun activity I’ve never done before or go to a new place.
I tried this last year then abandoned it after a few months because it didn’t
seem like a priority. Yes, I know how lame that sounds. I mean, I was
SCHEDULING fun – then failing to meet that commitment. I know that fun and play
do not happen spontaneously for me. If I do not create time for fun, my
weekends and evenings will continue to be swallowed up by work and life admin.
Because, as mentioned, there is always so much to do.
Last Tuesday was Australia Day – a public holiday. I
planned to spend the day generating story ideas and blog posts, maybe sorting
out my tax records to get on top of my present state of chaos. (Whoa, how
exciting am I?! No wonder men are lining up to date me!) But I woke up and I
knew I had to get out of the house, and out of my routine. I knew I needed
fresh air and a change of scene to get my creative juices flowing. So, I gave
myself the day off.
It felt weird.
I went on a 10km walk along a beautiful stretch of
coastline, weaving in and out of national parks and dipping into golden
beaches. I remembered how lucky I am to live in The Lucky Country. I climbed
cliffs and took in scenery that took my breath away. I reflected on how much is
right in my life, and how far I’ve come. I did not, and would not, let myself
feel guilty about all the tasks that were still on my stupid list. Then I went
to a friend’s pool party and caught up with some of my favourite people. I went
to sleep feeling rejuvenated and passionate about who I am, where I am and what
I am doing. The angels were right, as per.
So, I have a very important question for you: are
you having enough fun?
Fun is not a luxury.
It is not a treat or something you have to earn. It is as important to your
life as exercise, good food, fresh air and good people. As the saying goes: nobody
gets to the end of their life and wishes they’d spent more time in the
boardroom. I know your deadlines and projects seem uber important right now, but
you won’t remember them in 10 years’ time. You will remember the laughter, the
sunshine and the feels. These are the ingredients of your life. Are you using
them to create something that’s a worthy tribute to your own awesomnity? If
not, why not?
I’m saying this to
you, but of course, I’m really saying it to myself.