If you ignore the warning signs

Last month, I was over it—sick and tired because I had overcommitted and overextended myself. But I learned when you ignore your body’s warning signs, it will raise the flag of surrender when enough is enough. After 26 days of putting up a good fight (my doctor’s words), I needed help (also her words). On the bright side, while I spent two full days in bed, I read two books from cover to cover, logging in over 650 pages [read Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer if you get a chance]. On the less than bright side, let’s say it wouldn’t be unreasonable for me to hire a cleaner to overhaul my home. And, although I have a few obligations lined up for February, most of the month is open—because this time I’ve learned my lesson thanks to countless missed engagements, reduced time in the hot room and little headway on advancing my goals. Yet.

What does it take for you to learn a lesson?

[Image credit: photostock, FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

I’m over it

We’re almost one month into the new year already and it’s been a big fat bust so far. First, in my quest for balance, I jumped in feet first and overextended and overcommitted myself (see #12 in Confessions of a fraud), and second, my immune system suffered because of it. Not only did I miss several days, I flaked out on multiple commitments. It seems that with everything I want to do and yes, even need to do, it’s easy for me to become overwhelmed and deplete my reserves. Yet, when this happens, I am crabby and zero good to others. I cannot expect to run on autopilot with no respect for my energy levels. So how do I find balance? I need to ask myself: What drains me and what feeds me?—then eliminate the one and do more of the other—because if I don’t start practicing self-love on a consistent basis, my sparkle might begin to dull with time.

When is enough, enough for you?

[Image credit: David Castillo Dominici, FreeDigitalPhotos.net]