I love what I do.
But..
I need a break! We all do from time to time.
When I find myself daydreaming about retirement – when I can do what I want, when I want – Putter around the house cleaning out junk drawers and closets, write those books in my head, paint, throw pots, go on retreats, I know it’s time for a break.
Tomorrow isn’t promised!
I don’t want to daydream my present life away for the unknown future! What if for some reason I don’t make it to 65? I have to make my life what I want NOW.
Every day is precious. I’m going to fix it so I’m psyched about my life now – not in 15-20 years when I can retire.
I have a career that keeps me healthy and fit. I almost never sit. I interact with people I like and help them achieve their physical goals. It’s pretty awesome.
My work also exhausts me.
As a dyed in the wool introvert, my job of interacting with people all day is draining for me. Let me also say, I love my clients. Some I’ve taught for a dozen years! I care deeply about these people and their lives, bodies and goals. Yet I can only give so much before it affects my own health and wellbeing.
I love what I do, but only up to a certain point. I want my clients to get the best of me, so I’ve set some boundaries to protect myself, my well being and mental health.
Can a career be rewarding and something you mostly love but something you MUST take a break from regularly? I think so. As Americans, we feel like if we’re not pushing and working and constantly increasing revenue and crushing goals, we’re failing. That’s sad. What about just being? What about just tarrying? I’m desperate for those moments. I need whole days of tarrying.
I write this as I’m about to embark on a monthlong vacation that I feel semi-guilty about. How can I up and leave my business for so long? In Pilates, we work very closely with our clients. It’s personal, intimate work that can take a lot out of you.
Through much trial and error I’ve found a schedule that works for me, where I feel energized by my work and have time to do the other things I love, like writing, taking Pilates and yoga sessions for ME, cooking, organizing my house and being with my family.
I have to teach a certain amount of hours a week to keep my business afloat but I was stretching those hours out to 6 days a week. Even if I’d only come in for one or two hours, psychologically I was still at work – I had to get in work/client mode.
Now I’m attempting to do a 4-day teaching schedule with one weekday at home doing my creative work and admin stuff then two weekend days off to reset. I have some awesome teachers working at my studio now. I don’t have to do all the things myself!
I’m not always able to achieve this perfect schedule, but when I do everything just falls into place. I don’t have too much stress. I’m able to fit everything in that’s important to me. I have time to get to the farmers market, cook dinner a few nights, get in my own workouts and pick up the kids. I just have the space I need to feel calm and happy.
Lately, because I’m prepping for a month off, I’m not achieving this balance. I’m that chicken with her head cut off. I’m teaching tons, almost every day, the kids are out of school and I have so much to do and I’m flirting with burn out. This is when I know I must take a break and I am.
I’m working on a total mindset shift. I’m taking a guilt-free, unapologetic break. Like when I quit habitually drinking I had a simple but powerful mindset shift where I now categorize drinking as a negative thing, so it lost its appeal over night. Mindset is POWERFUL.
This is my life. It’s passing way too fast. I hope to be spry and healthy in my 60’s, ready to travel the world but I don’t want to wait until then to begin my bucket. This is your life – NOW! Make it perfect for you right now. No one ever looks back and says, “I wish I had taught more clients or worked more hours.” or “I wish I hadn’t taken so many vacations.” LIVE LIFE NOW!
