If you want to stop the overwhelm, change the importance.
Let me ask you a question? How many apps do you have on your phone?
2nd question – How many of them are reminders? Or apps that need YOUR input?
You got calorie apps. Sitting reminders. Time to stand reminders. Baby growth apps. To-do reminders. Scheduling reminders. Heart rate. Blood pressure. Grade trackers. Money trackers. Money reminders.
Do you find all of that as exhausting as I do?
How about another question? Do the reminders and trackers give you pleasure? Do they motivate you in anyway? Or, are they just ANOTHER reminder that you have failed in some way. You forgot to walk. Sigh. You ate the donut and don't want to enter it…in fear that your calorie count is too high.
And so you think…Sheesh. I can't even do that right!
And then it all just becomes so overwhelming…you just quit.
I took a hard look at my apps the other day and removed the ones that just get in my way. I removed the ones that made me feel bad.
I asked myself: If my app says ‘it's time to stand' do I take action? If my app says ‘drink your water' do I drink water? If not, then why do I have it? What is the importance of the reminder?
Everything is about numbers. To-do lists. Accomplishments. Goals. Action. Tracking tracking tracking. We track stuff. They track us.
Some data base out there knows how often you move, drink water, or sleep. How many ounces of milk your baby drinks everyday. How often you budget. Where you drive and how often. And, I say ‘good for them.'
But, do I HAVE to know all of that too?
And then I got to thinking…where does the importance lie in what I am doing? Where does it lie in what you are doing?
Because…
If you want to stop the overwhelm you gotta change the importance.
If counting calories is important to you…by all means count them. But ONLY if that does not add one bit of stress or overwhelm to your life.
When you are living life in a state of overwhelm, self-incrimination, or frustration with yourself it is almost impossible to look around and find your joy. Your joy is buried under all of the stuff.
So, I would like to suggest that you take a few minutes and figure out what the important things are. And then look at what you do…and change the importance.
What if, instead of tracking and placing importance on all of the to-do's and lists, you decided to place importance and track:
your time with your family
your date nights with your husband
how often you laughed
how often you smiled
your quiet time with the Lord
your down time
There are NO apps that will track all of that for you. Only YOU can track it and make it a priority.
Life is a series of moments.
A series of nano seconds that build on each other. Until hours, days, weeks and years have passed. What you DO with those moments will reflect what is important to you. YOUR focus.
If you are a mom, and your kids are small…those moments are so fleeting. You will never know when the last time your son wanted to kiss you in public…you will just know that he won't. Scoop them up, grab those kisses…because they need to last for your lifetime.
Your life is an accumulation of moments:
The moments spent holding hands.
The moments hugging.
The moments in-between all of your tracking.
The moments enjoying the food you are eating.
The moments in the car on the way to socccer.
The moments in conversation.
The moments calling a loved one on the phone.
The moments relaxing in a hot bath.
The moments of connection.
Life is more than apps. It is more than lists. It is more than busy.
Slow down…and enjoy those moments.
I gotta confess…
I am not the best at doing ANY of the above. And I know, for a fact, that I can get caught up in the overwhelm. I am a good time manager…so many things don't trip me up. But, at the end of the day, how many memories did I create? Or did I just get it done and cross it off (hopefully).
Also, as a follower of Jesus, the most important thing I can do is spend time with Him every day. And you know what, for some reason I don't. I need to change the importance. And, I need to change it right now.
So, what do you need to change?
Where do you need to shift your focus? From what to what? It really isn't hard to change the importance…in your mind. But, as with all great things…it requires action. Are you ready to act? If you are…I know you got this. You can do it. And, so can I!
Go on and grab this FREE PDF. No sign-up required. I find that shifting our importance is one of the most important things we can do. Just click on the image to grab it.
Normally it is included in the Joyful Living Tool Box. Tools to help you live a more fulfilled life. Grab yours right HERE.
And, if you are tired of apps tracking YOU…this ‘How to Stop Apps From Tracking You and Get Your Privacy Back‘ article is great.
Sometimes when you are overwhelmed stress sets in, right?
And when stress sets in it is sometimes difficult to be happy or joyful. So, don’t let stress have the last word!
Go on and take a look at the ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers’ (Action Plan included). So that you can eliminate what causes you stress and get on the path of living a joyful life.
What is Joyful Living all about?
Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help!
To begin, go ahead and read:
3 Financial Mistakes Most Women Make
Looking at Life Through the Lens of God
5 Ways to Get Ahead Financially
must reads
Marriage Killing Money Issues
check 'em out
