Once THIS is Over, It’ll Slow Down

How many times have you said to yourself, “Once THIS is over, it’ll slow down?

I was recently catching up with my girlfriend, Meghan, and we were both discussing life’s happenings. As I listened to her absolutely packed schedule she said, “Once I get through ____, it will slow down.” We both started laughing…..HARD! Isn’t it funny how we tell ourselves that getting through a certain event, time period, etc. will yield a calmer and more peaceful schedule?

I cannot tell you how many times I have told myself, “Once I get through this, I will….. take a break…. not over schedule myself… say NO.” Does that ever really happen? Not ever! Until now.

February is a notoriously BUSY month for me and my family. You’d think in the dead of winter, we’d slow down, but without fail, February tends to be one of our busiest and most hectic months. It definitely does not feel like the shortest month of the year.

I returned home on Sunday from a whirlwind weekend on the west coast where I was a team member executing an energy packed and uplifting dance fitness festival (visit getliftedevent.com for more info… cough, cough, shameless plug). I took a super early flight so I could get back home to my boys and relieve my parents who stepped in to help since my husband is working on the east coast (thank goodness for FaceTime).

As I was mapping out my upcoming commitments over the next few weeks I realized that I had unintentionally scheduled myself to be gone 3 weekends in a row while my husband is also away. I also committed to partaking in multiple events. trainings, choreography sessions, classes, board meetings, and have a manuscript due. While I am a person who loves to be busy, I cannot and will not be so busy that it is at the expense of my children. I have no problem throwing my health and sanity out the window. I will power through. Hence why I still have a cold 3 weeks later. I am a work in progress.

Anyways, when I show up to something, you can always bet that I am ready to give 110% of my effort. But, as I looked ahead at my schedule I was instantly overwhelmed. While I could figure out how to do it all, there was no way it be done well and I am not okay with that.

At the beginning of the year I selected the word NO as my word of the year. I chose this word because I knew it would be hard. I chose this word because I am terrible at saying it. I chose this word because the majority of the disagreements my husband and I have revolve around me overextending myself.

As scary as it was, I chose to say NO to things I had scheduled to be a part of this weekend. Do I like it? NO. Does it stress me out that I am disappointing people? YES. Do I feel a sense of relief that I made the right choice for me and my family? ABSOLUTELY.

Man, saying no is SO HARD. But, I know it was the right thing to do. I am truly blessed in life to be a part of so many incredible organizations and communities. I want to do and be a part of it all, but I can’t. I have to learn that saying no is not a bad thing.

I am learning. This was a HUGE step for me. Not only did I acknowledge that I am trying to do too much, I did something about it.

Anyone else feel this way? How do you handle it?

If you have said NO to something that you wanted to do but just couldn’t do at the time, I want you to know I am proud of you!

I appreciate you,

Danielle

3 thoughts on “Once THIS is Over, It’ll Slow Down”

  1. Girrrrrllllllll. I am so right there with you, as you know! Kudos to you for saying no and taking care of YOU! I’ve tried to do the same lately as well. It’s hard, but incredibly effective!

  2. I just had to do this twice this month and the guilt was heavy on me. I’m a yes girl, team player and I felt awful but I just couldn’t keep saying yes. I talked to my Principal because of the guilt, he was proud that I said because the others say “no” because I won’t.

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