Too Busy to Live?

Can we just talk about how it is SO easy to get caught up in life and neglect the simple, important things that actually make us survive the day? I was on the phone with a friend yesterday and he asked me what my primary focus is on in life right now. I thought about it and said, "What I'm really working on is holistically taking care of myself, and finding that balance - physically, mentally, and spiritually. So I can actually be useful to the world and make a difference." But what the heck, how do you even do that? It can be so easy to get 2 parts of it right, and then mess the other part up just a tiny bit, in turn affecting all the rest. I can't beat myself up for not being perfect, but I KNOW there's a balance that exists. Time management can draw an incredibly thin line and everyone is capable, it's just how we prioritize. I mean, what do I HAVE to do? I have to get my homework done, I have to take showers, I have to go to work, I have to study, I have to run club meetings, I have to go to my appointments. Some people have to also take care of their kids, have to fulfill big consistent commitments, have to support family members who can't support themselves, etc. It feels like there's not even time to breathe, so much that I find myself thanking God that breathing is self-regulated. The thing is, we also HAVE to make time for the parts of our lives that make these necessities possible, so we can continue contributing what we need to. And in reality, whether we feel like we have time or not, without covering our basic needs, we can start falling apart in those 3 areas of our lives, and in turn compromising our ability to complete what we need to complete.

 Do we even notice when we're covering those needs? I usually don't...until I get rude with a coworker about something they said that bothered me, rather than asking why they said it. I usually don't, until I read the same sentences over and over that I'm trying to study and eventually give up frustrated because none of it is sticking. Not until I come back to doctors appointments having not accomplished our goals for the week. Not until I realize my muscles are exhausted again when I go running and continue to run on them. Not until every time any man even looks at me I assume he's being misogynistic and get angry for no logical reason at all (these examples may or may not be from my whole last weeks experience…). I mean, come on, these are small, but I know there's something wrong with all of these pictures - and that's when I have to look at whether or not I'm covering the basics (before it gets REALLY bad). Because I can still do well in school, I can still work, I can still go to appointments and do club meetings, I can barely get by with all of this...but certainly not in a healthy way, and certainly not in the way that I want to be. I want my life to be an outflow of the love and grace I feel from God - not an outflow of my unwillingness to force the needed time to take care of the essentials I'm neglecting. 

Skipping breakfast is never an option. For ANYONE! EVERYONE needs to eat throughout the day to lessen anxiety, stress, to operate at full cognitive function and concentrate, to keep their metabolism functioning properly, and to get their nutrient needs met (which affects everything else). It's not admirable to be too busy to allow yourself to eat throughout the day. Every few hours we need sustenance. That doesn't mean snacking all day and then having a big dinner. It means consistently nourishing yourself throughout the day, 3 meals and 2+ snacks. It's never admirable to compromise health to get something done quicker. If your life is too quick to satiate the necessities that God decided we would need in order to live - then your life is too quick. And believe me, I'm an advocate for ambition and being able to accomplish anything and everything you desire.

I need to read scriptures every day to set my mind on the Truth. I need something true to lead my day. I need connection with the One who walks with me and I'm trusting my life with. 

I need to move around to clear my head - exercise does wonders for me and I feel the need to keep it as a priority, but I also can't overdo it to numb myself to everything else, or stress myself out more feeling like I have to do it every day, and in turn sleeping less and exhausting myself more.  

 I have to listen to my doctors! They know what they're talking about. If I'm not meeting the goals that they make for me or following medical recommendations (which by the way..for everyone is also getting sleep and consistently eating), then I'm not even taking care of myself physically...and our bodies are what get us around to where we need to go!

The downside is, I know all of these concepts logically through and through, yet it's incredibly difficult to apply to myself. Taking it a little at a time, is all I can do. Trusting that I know these are the things that lead the rest of my life the way I so purposefully want to live. I live with intention. I don't want to waste time messing around - but the less I take care of the little, essential things that have profound impact, the more time is wasted on fatigue, bitterness, inability to concentrate, being constantly self focused, stress, anxiety, dwelling on small things, simple tasks taking longer than needed, not being the humble and kind person I hope to become, etc. 

I would encourage everyone to think about what their essentials are to satisfy their mental, physical, and spiritual needs. I already decided that consistent eating is one for you, but what are your others? Are you fitting them into your schedule now? No matter how busy you are, remember that deciding to do what you need to survive later will turn out to be too late. It's the middle of September - you are BUSY! Decide to fit it in and create the habits now, and you will always be able to fit it in. I hope that everyone can have the deep conviction that loving yourself, by taking care of your essential needs, is the utmost priority - and in turn makes it a hundred times more possible to live out your values, be efficient, accomplish what you dream, love people the way you desire, be kind, and just complete tasks you need to complete. You are capable.