Getting Unstuck
The last couple of weeks have been quite intense because my youngest has had the stomach flu and the flu. My sleep has been significantly impacted by interrupted sleep every night. I have been in a funk and can barely muster the strength to get out of bed. This lack of sleep has negatively influenced my attitude. I’ve been on autopilot and not sure how to break out of it. I have been trying everything I know to do and still nothing. Last night while driving to see a friend and I decided to listen to a podcast in the hopes I would get inspiration. I am so glad I listened to my intuition because it was what I needed.
A colleague of mine introduced me to a podcast called Here to Thrive by Kate Snowise (https://www.thrive.how). I have thoroughly enjoyed her interviews and insight, so I was hoping she would come through for me again. I am happy to report she did. I listened to one of her most recent podcasts, during which she was interviewing Kate Crocco, author of Thinking Like a Boss: Uncover and Overcome the Lies Holding You Back from Success. Both of the Kates had great insights as they talked about excuses that get in the way of people reaching their goals. One of the topics they were discussing was the excuse “I don’t have enough time.” They considered how people wear being busy as a badge of honor when really what lies beneath is an excuse because people are stuck or afraid to move towards what they want. Initially, I was resistant to the idea and thought, “yes, people do use that excuse, but I don’t.” Then it hit me, that is the exact excuse that has been running through my internal dialogue. Not having enough time had been an excuse I worked to eliminate over the last few months, but it seemed to have reared it’s ugly head again. Why?
I reflected on that question as I drove and realized that I am exhausted right now due to life’s circumstances, and that is impacting me significantly. When I am tired, it affects my attitude, and the internal dialogue is a deficit dialogue. The messages that run through my mind are focused on the negative, not enough, and being a victim. Additionally, when I am sleep deprived, I become tunnel-visioned and focus on what is right in front of me. Usually, that means tasks. I get so focused on to-do lists and getting things done that I forget about my goals and living out of my true essence. I live out of survival. This mindset contributes to me feeling like I don’t have enough time to do anything that I want to do to support my goals because tasks consume me, and little things feel so overwhelming. My survival mechanisms are focused on just getting things done, rather than prioritizing what is most important. I stop asking for help, communicating my needs, and dig in, begrudgingly. Darn it! I am indeed stuck!
After listening to the podcast, which gave me a great deal to reflect on, I listened to a podcast by Kate Crocco (https://www.katecrocco.com) on self-care. I already knew about the importance of self-care from working with my life coach Rachael Redgate (http://rachaelredgate.com), but it was a great reminder of my need for self-care. One of my reflections is how quickly self-care goes out of the window when I am exhausted. It is as if I move solely to get things done and put one foot in front of the other. This awareness about myself is something I need to keep at the forefront of my mind. I can quickly slip into this pattern. To snap out of it, I have to recognize when I am getting into this space. I am so grateful for all of the resources that are available to us every day. They serve as a gentle kick in the pants.
Messages to my Daughters: There are going to be times in your life when you aren’t your best. I encourage you to make time to listen to yourself and connect with what is going on with you. If you are unable to get clear, use the resources around you. Talk with a friend, meditate, listen to music, listen to a podcast, pick up a book, or something else that will allow you to reflect and connect. These resources are plentiful and can help you break out of a funk or stagnant place. You aren’t in this alone, so use all of the abundant resources that surround you!