how to say no

4 Ways to Do Less and Have More

What if I told you that it IS possible to do less and have more?

A few years ago, I would have called my bluff, but it turns out that adopting & applying these 4 simple mindset shifts has helped me to do just that — do LESS and be MORE productive, have BETTER results in my health, my business and my relationships. Let’s dive in!

Honor the season of life you are in

When our first son was born, this was a tough one for me to swallow. Like, whyyyyyyy could I not continue to “do all the things?!” I am reminded of this space now, as we continue to transition to navigate all of the things added to the plate in 2020.

Whether it is a season with young children, aging parents, a move, or a job transition, or a global pandemic, each season brings new experiences, teaches new lessons, and as quickly as a new one begins, another ends. When we recognize that our life comes in seasons, this allows space for us to just be present in the season that we’re in & honor them!

 

Take inventory of your support system

Where can you ask for help? It may be asking your partner for more consistent help with the dishes, with laundry, or getting the kids to bed, or . Maybe asking a neighbor or family member to help with child, pet or lawn care each week to create a little more time for yourself. Or, even hiring someone to clean your home once a month, to cut your grass, or to plan your meals. You are one person and IT IS OKAY TO BE SUPPORTED!

 

Exercise your no

Have you considered that by saying YES to everything, you are saying NO to something else?

Saying yes to planning the Halloween party at school means saying no to your yoga class. Saying yes to the volunteer opportunity means saying no to meal prepping. Saying yes to the night out means saying no to crawling into bed early with your book. Catch my drift?

What I’ve learned is that politely declining not only allows time to focus on self care in this season of my life, but decreases my stress tenfold. It opens up more time to just be present with my family, take time to stay in my PJs all day and cook, veg on the couch and watch cartoons with my kids, share a few drinks with my hubs or just BE. Not being available for all the things all the time isn’t a sign that you are weak—it is a sign that you are human.

Let go of the way that it “should” be

The idea that there is a mold that we should all fit into not only puts the pressure on, but increases stress tenfold. I mean, who defines this stuff anyway, Instagram?! Listen, fancy filters may tell a fairy tale, but YOUR fairy tale is YOURS. Allow yourself space to break the mold of the way that your life “should” be, and create what you WANT it to be.

 

Which of these shifts feels easiest for you to begin to layer in? Comment below and let me know!

Let’s stay connected! Contact me anytime, here.

Let’s stay connected! Contact me anytime, here.

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