Live Big Without Sacrifice-Event Takeaways
By Andrea Young on May 19, 2022
Most women, especially Moms, feel overwhelmed. We are constantly feeling pressure from the never-done lists and the mental load of careers, childcare, relationships and household responsibilities. When you are constantly doing for others, it can leave little time for self-care, hobbies or anything else that fulfills you. We were fortunate to have Rochelle Seltzer, Creative Core Coach, back to talk to us about how to live our lives to the fullest without sacrificing our energy or wellbeing.
Stop sacrificing yourself
We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves, whether it’s at work, in our relationships or in our parenting and caregiving. Many spread themselves too thin to the point of exhaustion and burnout. You need to make yourself a priority by taking care of yourself first— we are not machines! There is only so much time in the day, so how do you make space for yourself?
Delete, defer and delegate
Rochelle explained that going through everything you do each day in work and at home can help you to create more space. What can you eliminate (delete) from your day? Take those tasks and remove them from your list. Next, anything that isn’t time-sensitive, save for another time. And lastly, delegate anything that can be done by someone else, such as cleaning, childcare, or work projects. By taking things off your plate, you will open up more space for your well-being.
Set boundaries
This might be the toughest one. So many of us are afraid of saying no. So much so, that we will say yes to everything to avoid any uncomfortable situations. This leaves us over-scheduled and resentful. There is nothing wrong with telling someone no as long as you do it with kindness. If you are invited to an event and can’t or do not want to attend, simply say that you have another commitment. You don’t owe an explanation as to what that commitment is.
Other Considerations
Declare that you are at the top of your list. If you are not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others.
Taking even 15 minutes out of your day to go outside, meditate or exercise is important. Implementing small changes will help you stay on track and eventually make bigger ones.
There is no shame in asking for help. Needing help doesn’t does not mean you failed.
Acknowledge the good things. Be proud of yourself when you do something good or experience something good. Give yourself a “yay me” moment and a pat on the back.