Are you one of those people with endless lists, schedules, or itineraries for the day? A person that is constantly busy doing something? Whether it’s work, groceries, cleaning, writing, researching or more? Have you felt like the little engine that could, constantly chugging along till eventually you run out of steam?

Well this post is for you!

You see, it’s great to be busy and it’s great that your life is so full that you have much to do. We like productivity over here. It tells us hey, I have an idea and a plan and I am making strides to carry them out. We love taking action, it’s so great. However, being constantly on the move, and doing too much of it will sooner or later make you crash.

Tortoise and Hare? Why it’s okay to go slower.

When I was a youngster, they would make us run a mile in gym, I noticed as soon as it began, I was always the first one ahead… for awhile. Eventually, I would run out of that burst of energy and would trail behind everyone until I was dead last.

I realized then, that while I was expelling energy quickly, everyone was carefully conserving it as they ran. They weren’t going too slow nor going too fast. They were doing just enough to get by. To be able to make it to the finish line in an adequate amount of time.

My point is, it’s good to not overextend yourself. To give too much or too little. To be too busy and too active. You risk hurting yourself in the long run, mentally and physically.

Another more recent example of this. I was feeling sick a couple days ago. Rather than just resting, I found myself trying to exercise (I only got 3 minutes in before stopping), and going to work (I thought I was okayish to go in). No sooner had I stepped in, did I realize I was still too sick to even work and was sent home, where I went promptly to urgent care.

Sometimes it’s okay to take it easy. Really. You don’t have to prove how strong you are, or that you can “always do more” it’s really okay to just stay home and be a potato.

Why taking breaks is good.

I find that taking breaks is the best way to gain more energy. Much like introverts hide away when they go to recharge their social battery, don’t be afraid to recharge yours.

Whether it’s taking overtime at work (use your time off!), staring at a screen for a long time working on big projects (guilty of this), or even pouring too much into people that you don’t have enough left for yourself. Take a break! You can use that time to do the things that make you happy.

For me, it’s lately been taking an hour of my time to play guitar. I find that it’s a nice little “me” time. Find that thing that helps you focus on what you enjoy and what truly matters to you. You can also, of course, choose to not do anything at all! 🙂

That’s the beauty of taking it easy. It’s a time to essentially stop, relax, and take a breath. You can always come back once you feel energized again!