Overwhelmed and Under-accomplished

Are you currently feeling overwhelmed with life? Stressed? Overworked?

Perhaps you feel “0verworked,” but with no sense of accomplishment, as you don’t seem to be getting much “work” done.

Even during quarantine, as things have slowed down for so many of us, I have found myself feeling more overwhelmed and “overworked.” Yet I’ve felt extremely underaccomplished.

It wasn’t until I forced myself to try to slow down, and reflect on simple concepts that we so oftentimes overlook, that it finally began to become more clear. In fact, I was able to break it down in a way that seemed overly simplified, yet ultimately, has worked better than any motivational speech I’ve heard/read.

If you also deal with these debilitating feelings of being run down and overworked, regardless if you feel “accomplished” or not, you WILL eventually burn out. Our body has a way of communicating with us that is meant to be QUITE effective. Unfortunately, we oftentimes fail to listen, making it hard for it to get its message across.

To understand how to truly solve this problem, I had to look at it from a perspective other than my own. I had to really “simplify” it, and learn that the most basic answers sometimes have the most effective results. Humans may be complicated, but oftentimes, the answers are not.

So, here are a few questions to ask yourself. Reflect on these, and ask yourself how these answers can so easily apply to you.

• What do we typically do when we notice that our phone, computer, etc has little to no battery percentage remaining? We connect them to their respective chargers. Correct? In fact, most of us, myself included, can’t help but feel a slight sense of urgency to do so. We prioritize it, because a dead phone/computer/etc isn’t exactly convenient.

•Likewise, what do we typically do if we realize that our vehicle is about to run out of gas? We find a nearby spot to refuel. We also feel a more prioritized urgency to take care of this, as well. After all, we cannot reach our destination with no fuel.

Now, let’s look at it from the perspective of people (not including yourself) versus objects.

• What do we typically do if we see that a friend/family member/ loved one is burning themselves out because they never seem to allow themselves time to relax? We tell them that they need to slow down. One, they won’t be able to get much accomplished if they deplete themselves. Two, they deserve some relaxation. Life is not meant to be miserable. We may deal with some miserable circumstances, but life, itself, is meant to be enjoyed.

• What do we typically do if we hear a friend really beating themselves up over missing a deadline that, in all honesty, they made for themselves? It really doesnt make or break things like they seem to think it does. We reiterate to them that great things take time, especially if they are to be created to their full potential. We remind them that if they do not cut themselves some slack, they’ll be too tightly wound to go very far. Besides, reaching a “goal” that one never takes the time to enjoy...well, it makes it less of an accomplishment. Part of feeling accomplished is enjoying, and taking pride, in what you’ve done for the world. Not everything is a priority. In fact, your main priority in life is to live it to its fullest potential.

Lastly, let’s switch to a question that does more obviously pertain to you :

• What would you do if you are cooking your favorite dish, and notice that is not fully prepared, even though the timer went off to signify that it should be? Regardless of this, it clearly needs a little more time in order to come out at its best quality. You have two choices. You can adjust accordingly, and allow for this extra time to finish the dish, so that you get to enjoy it in its best form. You can also just blindly follow the timer, even though you see it isn’t ready. However, you can’t really complain if the results aren’t what you wanted. Perhaps they would have been had you just followed YOUR timeline, instead of what you’ve been told and conditioned to know as “the answer.”

Why am I asking these questions? How are they relevant to you feeling overworked?

When something needs a rest/recharge/refill, the seemingly only logical answer is to provide that. When someone we care about needs the same things, we so quickly advise them to do so. Otherwise, those objects, and those loved ones, are not able to live up to their full potential.

So, why do we not apply this same ideology to ourselves?

Why do we prioritize recharging our PHYSICAL POSSESSIONS over our PHYSICAL SELVES?

Why do we prioritize making sure others take care of themselves, yet so often neglect ourselves? We deserve the same compassion that we give others; why do so few of us see that? Besides, isn’t the best way to show someone something to lead by example? How much merit do our words actually hold if we won’t even listen to them?

Why do we beat ourselves up when we just feel too exhausted? Are we not allowed to be tired? Are we in possession of some superhuman power that no one else can obtain?

On that note, why is it ok for others to fail on the way to success, but we must always JUST succeed? We are not better than them. What makes us believe we have the ultimate knowledge to never “mess up,” something other humans do not?

How do others deserve a break, but we don’t? Shouldn’t we be allowed to stop and enjoy life sometimes, also?

I deserve to live my happiest life. You deserve to live your happiest life. The world needs to see us living our happiest, most fulfilling lives. That is the only way we we ever be able to help provide the changes we so desperately seek.