When I was younger, my mom would often advise me to “slow down.” She would say, “just because you can do everything does not mean you should do everything.” And most memorably, “every time you say yes to one thing, you say no to something else.”

I tried shrugging off her advice until I was in my 20s. I found myself working two jobs, attending school, volunteering and involved in a serious relationship. And…I started drowning. I was exhausted all the time and started having trouble getting out of bed due to fatigue. I would wake up and struggle to remember what day it was and where I was supposed to be—first job, second job or school.

Thankfully, I had some very supportive people in my life at that time. And I had enough wisdom to recognize that I needed some major life adjustments to avoid burnout. I started deciding then that I would be more intentional about saying “yes” to things. I was beginning to realize that something could be “good” but not “best” for me. For example, I used to volunteer my time much more before I had children. Volunteering is good, but spending as many hours as I was doing it along with my other life responsibilities was not best for me. Realizing an adjustment is needed is not easy but sometimes necessary for all of us.

I wish I would have listened to mom sooner on this one (and some other things too), but I am thankful to pass on the wisdom that lies in spending your time well. This season and as the new year approaches, take some time to reflect on your schedule. How do you spend each day? In fact, some folks even break it down by hour. Does where you are spending your time line up with what you value most in life? Do you need to spend more time with your kids or less time on social media? Are you taking care of your physical body? Where is your time going and are you happy with where it is going?

If you would like a warm and empathic environment in which to reflect on where you have been and where you are going, we are here to help. Our experienced mental health clinicians can provide the support you need to help you both recognize and achieve your goals. Don’t wait! Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.