Unnecessary Pressure

I’m going for full disclosure today.  I have been feeling a lot of pressure lately.  When you take a look at my life though, you might think I’m crazy.  I work from home, I have no children (only crazy cats), I get to make my own schedule, and fill my days doing things I love.

Sounds pretty awesome right?

It is and believe me I’m not complaining about my life.  I know I’m lucky to do what I do.  The pressure I’ve been feeling has come from one source.

Me.

I have put so much pressure on myself to keep getting better, to keep improving, to keep pushing myself and to keep being an example of health.  I have a fear of being lazy or more specifically being perceived as lazy and I worry a lot about slipping back into my old unhealthy habits.  I never sit still, I’m always doing something or working on the next thing.  I don’t want anyone to look at me and see I’ve grown complacent.

I also don’t want to fail and some of the pressure is working to try and avoid that.  I don’t want to start something or put myself out there and fall flat on my face.  Who wants that?  No one.

I will admit that a certain amount of pressure can be a good thing.  A little pressure can keep pushing us in the right direction.  But the minute that it causes us to shut down and stop moving forward it’s no longer a good thing.

How many of you are here with me?  You have put so much pressure on yourself that you’re essentially stalled.  The one thing I don’t want to happen has happened because of my own pressure.

Crazy and confusing, I know.

So I’m giving myself a break.  It’s ok to be still for a moment or two.  It’s ok to not have a to-do list that’s a mile long.  It’s really ok to fail.  When you put yourself out there and it doesn’t work out, sure it hurts, but you learn so much about yourself.  Failing lets you do better the next time.  In fact, I would say failure helps you grow and evolve way more than pressuring yourself to keep going ever will.

Ease up on yourself.  Life will throw enough stress and chaos your way, you don’t need to add your own to the mix.  You, and I, are capable of great things and while we might stumble every once in awhile that’s alright.  Getting back up is part of the journey!