We put a lot of pressure on ourselves these days to make our holidays “perfect.” With Pinterest, Instagram, Martha Stewart, and all the comparison we naturally do - it sometimes feels like we will never measure up. Or… We spend all our time and energy striving to out-do our own childhood; or neighbors; or family members… And it kind of sucks the magic and joy right out of the holiday, doesn’t it?

Do you get the itch for spring cleaning and decluttering? I do. I can’t wait to empty closets and cupboards, drawers and cubbies. I love the feeling of taking a carload of items to donate. It’s seriously one of my favorite things.

But besides getting rid of physical objects - I love to declutter my schedule, my calendar, my phone - even my mind. Sounds a little woo-woo doesn’t it? It’s actually not. IT’s a sure-fire way to ditch overwhelm and burnout.. and increase our energy as the world comes alive once again. I invite you to try it out!

The goal of every overwhelmed woman is to manage her time and energy in a way that decreases stress and allows for more recharging, more rest, and more fulfillment in her days... But with many women, it can be hard to ask for help in order to make time in your day for the things - and people - that bring you joy.

Oftentimes, it comes down to not wanting to be a burden… or not wanting to seem selfish. Even the most successful women sometimes get caught in the loop of people-pleasing and find it hard to ask for what they need or want. And when others don’t know… our needs and wants just keep getting put on the back burner again and again.

Over the last year, I've been feeling uninspired with time management tricks for finding more “balance” in my life, because no matter how hard I try for that perfect “balance” - nothing seems to do the trick.

As you can imagine, this has left very little room for creating routines, systems, and habits that feel exciting and new - and create more space in my days.

However, in trying to get my mojo back, I've discovered that I was making it way too complicated!  Turns out - the simpler, the better.

If you're in a similar place and have been feeling more and more overwhelmed with daily life but not sure what to do about it, you’re going to love this post. I’m sharing three new time management tips that are simple, easy, and working for me!

What is Burnout?  Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that results from chronic stress and overwork (or overscheduling). It's often characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of detachment from one's work, responsibilities, and even the things that bring us joy. Burnout can occur in any area of life, such as work, relationships, or personal life, and can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being.

So how – and when – can you find enough time for focusing on your health? Well, first - choose one place to start.  I often suggest to my clients to start with what they eat.  Eating more healthy foods and less sugar immediately gives a bump to your energy levels and clarity of thinking (meaning you also make better choices in all areas of life - wink, wink).  One of the best ways to set yourself up for success in eating more healthily is to meal plan and meal prep - especially for your on-the-go meals and snacks!  

“According to a survey conducted by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), those who hire a coach can experience a wide range of positive effects in their lives. 80 percent of respondents said self-confidence improved, 73 percent said relationships improved, 72 percent had better communication skills, and 67 percent said they balanced work and life better.”

Have you set your New Year’s Resolutions yet? Yeah… Me neither. Not my thing. Did you know by January 17th most people have already quit their resolutions? So many people, in fact, that it’s known as the “National Quitters Day?” 92% of people don’t keep their resolutions the full year… So yeah. No thanks.

BUT… That doesn’t mean I don’t use other methods to set myself up for success and a great year! Here’s my system:

Sometimes we can be so quick to move on, that we forget to look back and take stock of how we got to where we are. I use a process each year to reflect, remember, celebrate, and let go… Sometimes I take several days to visit this process, sometimes it’s an hour or so in a coffee shop… Wherever you are this year, I encourage you to take what time you can and give 2022 it’s due. Here’s the process that has served me well the last several years:

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves these days to make our holidays “perfect.” With Pinterest, Instagram, Martha Stewart, and all the comparison we naturally do - it sometimes feels like we will never measure up. Or… We spend all our time and energy striving to out-do our own childhood; or neighbors; or family members… And it kind of sucks the magic and joy right out of the holiday, doesn’t it?

What if there were ways to take care of yourself, tap into what brings you Joy, and still manage to care for those around you?

I’m not suggesting we can do it all… But I am suggesting we can do the things that are most important to us - and let go of some of the others without letting anyone down.

There are days when life just kinda sucks - but there’s no reason to stay in that space. A fulfilled life, a joy-filled life, a connected life - you deserve this. Try these three simple steps to getting back on track - once you know how to do it, these strategies will work every time!

What do you do to recharge each and every day? What do you do to maintain your energy? What do you do to guard your time?

What if the dream is too big? What if, in reality, it’s impossible? What if I can’t actually make it happen?

What’s that quote? “What if I fall? Ah, but what if you FLY?”

Is there such a thing as “too big” of a dream? Isn’t that what dreaming is for? To aim for the stars?

What about those remarkable parts of you that separate you from everyone else? That make you stronger, braver, more resilient? That make you more compassionate, more patient, more …. anything?! What do you have that makes you MORE?

You are so important to those you love - your partner, your kids, your parents, your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors… But if you’re always exhausted, overwhelmed, and burnt out - what are you really able to offer them?

If you feel like you're just bumbling along these days, taking life one day - or hour - at a time maybe it’s time to start fresh and create some new intentions toward living into a life you’ll love.

When we stop learning and growing, we become stagnant, bored, and lose motivation and momentum. Life becomes blah… Have you been there? I know I have.

When we don’t feel clear on something… It takes it’s toll. We feel lost, stuck, drained, or aimless… This happens often when we’re so busy “keeping up” that we lose sight of what’s important. We eventually find ourselves going through the motions instead of being intentional about honoring what’s most important to us.

Even in the midst of summer chaos, I find myself looking for challenges and new-ness. I look forward to getting out of my space, my routine, and my comfort zone. I seek new ways to push myself. And this practice energizes me like no other!