Reminder: you’re not a machine

Admitting it here: I’m your classic workaholic. I like to achieve. Heck, I like to overachieve.

And although I love what I do, doing too much of anything (no matter how much you like it), is a recipe for burnout.

I burn out regularly, because I still don’t recognise the signs until it’s too late.

Ironically, it means that I then want to work on that, in the form of books, articles, and podcasts, which adds even more to my plate! (If you have any tips – let me know, I’m in need!)

But while I deal with that, I think it’s important to remember – and remind myself.

We are not machines.

We have limited energy, and limited time, and a lot of things to juggle.

With each generation of the human race there’s more to understand, more to learn, more options, more possibilities. And while this is beautiful and amazing, it can also be super difficult when you put a lot of pressure on yourself and/or just genuinely want to do everything.

It’s okay to take a break.

It’s okay to rest.

It doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It means you’re at a different point in your day, or month, or life, compared to someone else.

And we all know comparing ourselves to other people is where madness lies.

I feel this really strongly when I compare myself to relatives who always seem to be on the go, making achievement after achievement, small or big. Their lives seem like endless successes and achievements. But that’s not reality. And to achieve something they’ve given up something else elsewhere, which may be something they’ll never get back…or sleep!

There is no shame in looking after yourself, in taking some time to stop and smell the roses, or just relax.

When was the last time you properly relaxed, and did nothing? No phone, no interruptions, just enjoying being yourself and appreciating your existence?

For me, it’s been far too long. It’s easy to dash from one thing to the next, with other people interrupting our thoughts or actions with more suggestions for thoughts and actions.

Today, I have a whole bunch of work and personal tasks to do, and I’m already both interrupting and getting interrupted by friends wanting to confirm plans or suggest ideas for things. It’s lovely, to feel so connected, but I also feel the need to escape.

I know I have the time to get everything done if I rush around. But getting everything done doesn’t matter. There are no life or death situations here. The world isn’t going to suffer because I don’t finish today’s task list.

What’s equally, if not more, important?

To feel the sun on my face, and be alone with my thoughts. To remind myself that I’m human, not machine.

And this is okay.

It’s more than okay, it’s something to celebrate.