How to Stop

Do you find it hard to stop? To just stop, and do nothing?

So many women I work with say that they’re on the go, all the time. And that if they ever do decide to take an afternoon nap or read on the sofa for a while or lie under a tree in the garden they feel so guilty that they have to stop.

This constant doing is exhausting. But it is more than exhausting, I see it is life-denying. Because how can you feel the rhythm of a rich life if there is no contrast between the Doing and the Not Doing?

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You know what, though? I’m a realist. I know that I can come on here and say that time out is essential and you might even agree.

But your life is busy. You have a job and a dog and maybe some kids and bills and responsibilities and the car needs servicing and you have two parties to go to tonight and you promised to deliver the report by Monday and people expect things of you! Regular breaks might be important but there’s no room for them and they end up just becoming an even greater bigger Should, which ends up making you feel even more rotten. Right?!

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Right.

So why not try this, instead: why not use the breaks that you already have in your day, differently?

• When you’re at the post-office, waiting in line for the package that you couldn’t be at home to sign for
• When you’ve ordered your coffee and you’re waiting for your name to be called
• When you’re at the doctor, waiting to ask about the sickness that’s been lurking for months
• When you’re sitting on a packed train, on your way to work
• When you’re at the pool, waiting for your kids to finish their lessons

Put away your phone. Maybe close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And consciously use the moment in time as a restorative one.

Tags: career-coaching, life-coaching, Melbourne