I have a tendency to take on too much.
Every time I get things off my plate, I am quickly looking for another project. Another job. Another event to plan. Another panel to speak on.
I’m a Virgo to the core. So, when I’m not super busy, I feel incredibly idle. Being idle drives me nuts.
Friends and family have urged me to slow down. I keep promising I will. But, when I get home, I am quickly adding something to the list. I have already put a list of goals on my whiteboard for 2019. It’s packed. It’s like I get some sick satisfaction from seeing and having things to do. But, it catches up with you.
Last night I got home from work, took a shower and immediately got to working on personal projects. I don’t know what happened in between my shower and sitting in front of my computer, but my left eye started bothering me. It was incredibly irritated. I noticed that the sclera (the white part of the eye) was swollen. It looked like my eye was going to pop out. No exaggeration. I spent close to an hour Googling my symptoms. The internet told me I was going blind. (You see why doctors warn us not to Google medical conditions?)
I must have said 10,000 prayers for my eye to heal. I finally decided to shut down all electronics go to bed, rest and remain hopeful that I wouldn’t go blind. Around 2:00 a.m. I got up to check my eye and things seemed to be calming down. By morning I was back to normal.
I don’t know what happened, but sometimes our bodies have a way of slowing us down. Had my eye not gotten incredibly and frighteningly irritated, I would have stayed up working until late. My body made me stop.
It’s great to want to take on the world, to accomplish all of the goals we set out. To want to do everything, be everywhere and take advantage of opportunities. But, we shouldn’t do it at the sacrifice of our health, our well-being, our mind or our relationships.
I know it’s a process, but I am slowly learning to take it easy.
I’m always going to be a hard worker. That’s all I know. But, the work will get done. It’s important to have the proper balance. For now, I’ve decided to cross off one of the things on my to-do list.
Hey, it’s a start.
I think we all find ourselves setting goals and crossing off those things we accomplish that are on our list but, I agree with you, its important to have proper balance. I see you are having a blast and working hard. You will definitely make it. I am really happy to see you set out to make a difference and be impactful. Keep it up. I support you lady!!
Uva Management
Thank you so much, Uva Management! You are absolutely right. Balance is so important for our mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. Thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated.