Where can you take pressure OFF yourself?

There’s so much advice out there about what we should be doing to feel better—exercise, meditation, journaling, meal prepping, mindfulness... and while all of those things can be fantastic for us, they also take time and energy.

And if we're feeling utterly depleted & burnt-out, I think it's really important to think about taking some things off our plates. This is your permission slip to stop piling on, and instead explore how you can ease the pressure—without adding yet another task to your to-do list. Ditch the Superwoman Cape

You do not have to do it all. Being everything to everyone isn’t sustainable—and it’s not necessary. Your family, your friends, your world — they just need you. Not a perfect, all-singing, all-dancing version of you. What would happen if you started aiming for 'good enough'? Because 'good enough' is often actually more than enough.

Try this: Today, pick one thing to do 'just enough.' Let dinner be simple. Let the laundry sit another day. Watch what happens (you'll probably find that the world doesn’t end). Aim for done, not perfect We are all trying to live up some imaginary perfect bar that doesn't even exist! Homemade meals every night? Immaculate house? Pinterest-perfect birthday parties? What if you just… didn’t? What if fish fingers and frozen peas count as a win? (Because they absolutely do - I LOVE a fish-finger sandwich.) What if you just buy a Colin the Caterpillar cake rather than slaving over something homemade? (It has taken me almost 17 years to realise that my children 100% prefer a Colin the Caterpillar to whatever disaster I produce, no matter how much blood, sweat and tears goes into it..)

Try this: Pick one area of life where you can intentionally lower the bar this week. And then leave it lowered. See what opens up for you instead. Learn to say no, without having to explain yourself

You’re allowed to say no. Full stop. Just: “No, I can’t make it.” No explanation needed. Your time and energy are valuable, and you get to choose where they go. And the more you practice this, the easier it becomes. And here's a secret: saying no to something that drains you creates space for something that feeds your soul.

Try this: Next time you’re tempted to say yes out of guilt, pause. Ask yourself, “If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?” Then decide. This is SO powerful. Repeat after me: Rest IS productive

You are not a machine. You weren’t designed to run on empty. But so often, we feel guilty for sitting down. For stopping. For resting. Here’s your permission to rest without earning it first. Have a nap. Read a book. Stare into space. Sit in the garden with a cup of tea and listen to the birds for 10 minutes. No productivity required. You often end up feeling more capable and refreshed afterwards.

Try this: Block out 5 minutes today to do nothing. Literally nothing. Set a timer if you need to. Notice how it feels to pause, and let yourself be. Stop "Should-ing" on Yourself

“I should go for a run.” “I should meal plan for the week.” “I should be more patient.”

Stop. Breathe. Question it. What if you didn’t “should” all over yourself today? Ask instead: “What do I need right now?” Or, “What would feel good right now?” Sometimes the answer is movement. Sometimes it’s a cup of tea in silence. Sometimes it’s doing nothing at all. And all of those answers are okay.

Try this: Every time you hear yourself say “should,” pause. Swap it for “could,” and then see if you want to. Ask for Help—and Accept It

This one can be hard, I know. But you don’t have to do this alone. Ask for help, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. And when someone offers help? Say yes. Order the takeaway. Say yes when your partner offers to do bath time. Let your friend pick up the kids if they offer. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

Try this: This week, ask for one specific thing. Big or small. Let someone else carry the load for a moment.

It is NOT POSSIBLE to carry everything, all of the time. You don’t need to be superwoman. You don’t have to say yes to everything. And you definitely don’t need to add more to your list to prove you’re doing enough. Because you are enough. Just as you are. Your children don’t need a perfect mum. They need you. Present. Calm-ish. Happy-ish. Human. And the best way to give them that version of you is to take some of the pressure off. In case no-one told you today, you're AMAZING, just as you are!

If you would like some support figuring out how to rebalance things in your life, get in touch for a free consultation. I’d love to help!

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Image courtesy of Veronica Kissova @ve_kiss_klech

Life coach Surrey; women’s wellbeing coach; menopause & midlife overwhelm; overcoming overwhelm; searching for balance; self care for busy mums; creating boundaries; journaling for mental health; journaling workshops