Not feeling it

There are times when you don’t feel it. You don’t have the energy to do that thing, can’t possibly manage to continue on, feel overwhelmed and discouraged.

In the moment where you feel that you have a few options.

Our society and culture tells us that we should push through. Pain is gain. Hard is good. Burn the midnight oil.

I don’t think that’s always wrong. In some cases extra effort can bring fulfillment and get you to where you want to go.

But often we see the ones who made it to the pinnacle, and we hear their stories of success tied to the hours and years that went into it.

What we don’t hear, at least not often enough, are the ones who found delight and fulfillment in another path.

And here’s where I suggest that forcing through isn’t the only way. In fact, it’s dangerous.

When you feel overwhelmed, your body is saying to stop, and you can’t find a way through, the answer might just be to stop and listen. Hear what your body is telling you, understand why you have no energy, why you’re not sleeping, why you’re not stressed.

Recently I woke up in the middle of the night with a vivid fear of not getting something done in time. I had to mentally calm myself, assure my body that the task could wait. I don’t know if that task is worth doing, but I do know that too many stressors like that aren’t going to help me function at my best.

So if you feel that pressure to push through at all costs the answer might be to go in the opposite direction.