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In the world today, there is an emphasis placed on the importance of being busy all the time. Hustle culture is the norm and we are expected to work hard all the time. So many people are on the go from the time they wake up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night. But this fast-paced lifestyle isn’t working for many. It’s leading to a lifetime of stress and chronic illness. If you haven’t been feeling your best and your life isn’t ideal there are signs that may be telling you that it might be time to simplify your life.
The move towards a simple life
While society promotes the constant need to be busy, for some this lifestyle isn’t optimal. If you are highly sensitive or an empath you may find that this way of life is overwhelming. Many sensitives thrived during the Covid-19 pandemic because they were forced to spend more time at home. Schedules became simple. And many empaths and highly sensitive people were finally allowed to get more time away from settings that are draining for them.
The world is not designed for those that are sensitive. And many sensitives struggle to keep up with the expectations that society demands on everyone. And few recognize that this way of living isn’t serving them well. They ignore the signs and symptoms that their body is showing them that living a busy life isn’t right for them. So how can you know if it’s time to simplify your life?
Signs it’s time to simplify your life
Your calendar is always full
Your calendar is so packed with events and obligations that you can barely find time to fit anything else in. In fact, you almost have to choreograph your days so that everything gets done and everyone gets where they need to be at the right time. If your calendar is always full then you may want to consider simplifying your life. Take a look at which things on your schedule can be eliminated. It may mean that your kids are active less, but ultimately your health and quality of life are more important…and so is theirs!
You never have time for self-care
You’ve had to put your exercise routine on hold because your schedule is too full. And forget about a skincare routine. Some days you barely have time to shower or wash your hair! You even look a bit messy yourself because you don’t have time to fully take care of yourself. If your schedule is too full you won’t have time to take care of your own basic needs. This pace cannot be kept up long-term and is guaranteed to lead to the symptoms of stress and chronic illness. Self-care is a non-negotiable, especially if you are sensitive. And while you can deny yourself regular self-care for a while, eventually it will catch up with you.
You are always tired
You are so sleepy in the morning that you can’t survive without a couple of cups of coffee. And you often find that there are times when you struggle to keep your eyes open. You’re doing everything you can to stay awake but it is your body’s way of telling you that you are doing too much! Being tired all the time is a sign that your body is struggling. When this fatigue becomes chronic it is important to prioritize sleep and getting plenty of rest to help restore the body.
Your house is cluttered
There are things piling up on the counters, tables and anywhere there is a free space. You don’t really have time to put it all away or organize it. When you are overscheduled and overwhelmed, cleaning your house is usually last on your list! And as the clutter begins to pile up it adds additional stress on you! Clutter may be a sign that it’s time to simplify your life.
You have no alone time
You feel like you are always around people. Whether it’s playing taxi for a carload of kids or sitting in a meeting at work, there is just never time to be by yourself. A packed schedule means no time for self-care. And that includes alone time. Having alone time allows us time to decompress and do things for ourselves. So if you are committed to too many things then alone time usually gets disregarded. This can lead to burnout and illness very quickly, especially for those who are sensitive.
You don’t have room on your schedule for things that really matter
What are the things you love to do? What are the things that nurture your soul? Maybe you enjoy reading or painting. Perhaps you love spending time with friends or family. But maybe your busy schedule is preventing you from doing the things that matter most to you. If that is the case it may be time to look at priorities.
You’re making unhealthy food choices
You grabbed fast food on the way home because you didn’t have time to fix a healthy meal. And sometimes you eat a candy bar to tide you over until you can eat a meal. Some days you don’t have time to even eat meals at all. If there are some days you barely eat and others you overindulge on junk food to make up for it things may need to change. Being too busy to eat regular, healthy meals is a big sign that you need to simplify your life!
You often have trouble thinking straight
You forgot the name of your coworker, and when someone asked you a simple question that you normally would be able to answer, you struggled to answer it. When you have a lot to do every day, your brain can become overstimulated. This can make processing thoughts challenging. You may also find that you are more forgetful and have trouble remembering simple things. And it can be challenging to even complete small tasks because your logic and reason processing is very overwhelmed. Struggling to think straight is a big sign that you have too much on your plate and are seriously overstimulated.
You get sick more often
You were just sick last month but then suddenly find yourself with yet another virus. And now you get sick much more frequently than you used to. High-stress levels lower immune system function and can lead to you getting sick more often. You also have headaches more frequently from all of the stress of constantly being on the go. And you’ve been struggling with lots of digestive issues that are downright unpleasant! They are your body’s way of trying to slow you down. The body will simplify your life by making you sick so that you have no choice but to rest!
You struggle to relax
Every night you are exhausted when you get home. But you find it impossible to relax. Your mind is constantly racing. It is even a challenge at times to fall asleep because you just feel so wired at times. And even though you are physically and mentally exhausted, your mind doesn’t want to shut off. You also find that this constant mental chatter makes you feel more anxious.
You’re cranky
You find yourself getting irritable with others much more easily. You yell at your kids more often and get annoyed by little things that normally wouldn’t phase you. You’re stressed and overwhelmed. And your body is screaming at you to slow down and rest. And that is making you cranky and difficult to live with.
Things you can do to simplify your life
If you’re struggling with these signs, your body is trying to let you know that you’re chronically stressed and doing too much. So it’s time to take a look at your life and make some changes. Luckily there are things you can do to help overcome feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.
- Clear out unnecessary things from your schedule.
- Say no more often.
- Make yourself a priority- it benefits everyone else too!
- Stop multitasking.
- Limit extracurricular events your children are involved in.
- Find simple recipes and use tools like a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker to make easy, healthy meals.
- Delegate more often.
- Pay attention to how much time is wasted on your phone or computer.
- Limit negativity.
- Slow down!
There will always be certain times in life when you are busy. But when it becomes a chronic pattern, it can have serious consequences for your health and life. Be aware of the patterns in your life. When you live more intentionally it can help you to live a life that is not just about being busy. And that can help you to have a life that is more satisfying!
