avatarKelly P.

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of self-care and taking breaks while pursuing personal and professional goals.

Abstract

The author shares a personal experience of reaching a point of exhaustion after intensely balancing a job, freelance writing, developing a Medium presence, and managing daily adult responsibilities. They highlight the significance of recognizing one's limits and stepping away to recharge. The article advises readers to take breaks, be kind to themselves, engage in enjoyable activities, and remember to breathe amidst stress. It acknowledges the challenges of maintaining balance and reminds readers that it's okay to not be perfect, encouraging them to take time for self-reflection and care.

Opinions

  • The author believes that taking time off is crucial for mental health and productivity, suggesting that the work will still be there after a break.
  • They emphasize self-compassion, whether you're a first-timer or reattempting a venture after a previous setback, acknowledging that perfection isn't expected on the first try.
  • Engaging in leisure activities is seen as essential for balance, suggesting that spending time with loved ones, reading, or playing video games can be beneficial.
  • The author stresses the importance of breathing and taking stock of one's accomplishments and tasks, suggesting that a reconfiguration of one's strategy may be necessary for continued progress.
  • The article concludes with a reminder that self-care is not trivial, especially after a particularly challenging period, and that it's important to recognize the value of taking time for oneself in the pursuit of goals.

100 and Under

Remember To Take a Moment For Yourself

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

It happened on a Wednesday when everything felt like it came tumbling down.

I had been at it two weeks straight with balancing my actual job, trying to develop Medium into a more sustainable venture and hit that magic 100 follower mark, redevelop a personal blog into a professional website/blog for my growing freelance writing efforts, working on a couple of stories, and just trying to function as an adult with keeping appointments, remembering to do laundry, eat, and sleep.

Two weeks is the magical length of time I know I can work at something, burning the candles at both ends, before I crash. Wednesday night, I became a hot mess and was second-guessing everything I had been working on for the past few weeks. I felt worthless and that everything I had done was a waste of time. But that was just the fatigue, stress, and emotions. I needed to step away.

There are amazing articles like the one written by Alice K. that help gives some great advice about how to start to live your dream. But you must also take it easy on yourself. I forgot that. There is no particular purpose to writing this post except to remind you, as a reader, to make sure you take time for yourself.

Take a break.

It’ll still be there when you get back. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by all the details. Take that nap or go to bed early. You’ll be better for it.

Don’t forget to be kind to yourself.

Maybe this is your first time going through this. Maybe you tackling this endeavor again after a past failure. It’s not expected of you to get it right the first time.

Spend time doing things you enjoy.

Remember it isn’t all about work. Doing the things that we love helps bring balance to the work you’re doing. Spend time with family and friends. Read a book. Play your favorite video game.

And lastly, don’t forget to breathe.

I know. Easier said than done, but it’s important to remember to take a breath. Take stock of what you have accomplished and what needs to be done. Maybe you need to reconfigure your game plan. Just don’t forget to breathe.

I know this advice may seem redundant or silly but after the rough evening, I had Wednesday, these pearls of wisdom are even more important. You’re doing great things working towards your goals. Just don’t forget to take some time for yourself too.

Writing
Writing Life
Self Improvement
Self Care
Life
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