I’m really rather cross right now. My annoyance only grows as I type. So please, forgive my directness.
Since when did we get OK living stressed?
And since when did we fall so deeply into lethargy that we accept there is no way out? Of the anxiety? Or the pressure? Or the constant overwhelm of being too busy that leads to exhaustion?
How did we come to believe that in order to be successful as an entrepreneur, a leader and a parent, we HAVE to live in a way that costs us?
Where we constantly strive and push ourselves beyond what feels good in our bodies? To live in a way that doesn’t actually fulfil us but only deepens our stress?
I’ve spoken before about the high tax we pay through our health, our relationships, our peace and our enjoyment of life itself.
I think, part of my crossness comes from the fact that, just like you, I spent more than three decades paying this tax.
Today, I know it doesn’t have to be this way. I very much would like to make sure you don’t have to pay as high a price as I have done in my life.
Let me slow this down and explain where this is coming from.
Yesterday, I attended my monthly women’s networking meeting. The room was full of women who have courage, talent and who have built successful careers and businesses while loving their families.
During the meeting, one of the women said, “Stress is just such a big part of normal life.” Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.
That was when my crossness began. I’ve only become more and more ornery ever since.
Yesterday, I felt like picking up my laptop and shaking it in the same way I shake a snow globe to get the flakes moving around.
Except I didn’t want to shake snow into a scene. I wanted to shake away the lethargy and acceptance surrounding that statement.
Yesterday, I stayed polite. I didn’t nod. But I also didn’t protest. I’m doing that now.
Let’s break this down for you in your life. I invite you to sit with each of these questions:
Here is the statement again: “Stress is just such a big part of normal life.”
Do you agree?
Have you built your life on this belief?
Do you parent from this perspective?
Do you run your business/career in constant or nearly constant stress?
Do you accept stress as just the way things are?
Do you pay the price of stress in your body? Your life? Your relationships? Your peace and happiness?
Are you OK with this?
Yes, it’s true, modern living will create stress. We carry stress-making devices in our pockets that beep all day long. Instead of living in a way that naturally dissolves stress, we have evolved our habits into ways of being that produce stress. Our systems can’t keep up with the automatic daily download. And that’s before the big life events of birth, death, and significant challenge and change.
Stress may very well be a fact of life for so many people. But you don’t have to accept it as normal.
For a moment, I imagine you standing in front of me. I picture my hands on your shoulders as I ask, “Is this really how you want to live?”
Even before you speak, I know I’ll see your answer written clearly in your eyes. I know that deep down, you believe life is worth more than living stressed.
I also imagine that you don’t believe you have the time or resources to change your life. (Not just manage it. Truly transform it!)
But that’s why I do what I do. With all of my clients.
And then, I imagine giving you a hug — one of the ten-second-long ones — because those are the hugs that have half a chance of breaking through our fight-flight defences to lower our levels of stress and anxiety.
When you no longer want to stress to be a normal part of your life, you know where I am.
And I have two 12-month private mentorship spaces currently available. Let’s talk.