Tactical Tips for Surviving the Busy Season
Can we be real for a second? I thrive in busy-ness.
I don’t always love that about myself, because it means I’m often tired, overworked, and not as sparkly as I sometimes am.
“ But, in the busy seasons, I find that I am most creative, that my work is most colorful, and that my life is most full. If you’re entering a busy season of your own — whether it’s with work or family or even the quickly approaching holiday season, here are my three best tips for not only surviving, but thriving.”
One: Take Care of Yourself
I am preaching to the choir here, friends. When you’re busy, it’s easy to neglect the thing that actually might arguably be the most important of all… yourself. I am a firm believer that “you can’t pour from an empty pitcher,” and yet even still, I let my proverbial pitcher run dry sometimes. Maybe you do, too.
When you put yourself last, you do yourself a major disservice. If you’re in a busy season or you’re feeling one coming on, take some time for yourself. My favorite ways: a pedicure, a massage, or a long afternoon nap.
Whatever you do, step away from the crazy, whether for 30 minutes or 3 hours, and do something just for you.
I know, I know -- you’re probably thinking, “Sarah, I can’t step away! It’s BUSY!” I promise, you’ll feel better, your people will notice, and you’ll all be better for it.
Two: Find Your Tribe
You were never, ever meant to do life alone. Ever! If you’re feeling the weight of the busiest (and most wonderful) time of the year, lean on your people.
“ Find people you can count on — the people who say “How can I help?” and actually mean it, and let them help you. ”
I know, it’s scary. I know, you want to do it all. But friends, you don’t have to. Let your people stand in your corner and love on you. For me, that looks like letting my boyfriend help ship packages and asking my sweet mama to wash paintbrushes when I just really need to crank out another order and don’t have enough minutes to do it all.
Admitting -- and I know, somehow “admitting” sounds like a bad word or a guilty word -- that you can’t do it all makes you human… not broken.
Three: Remember Your Why
My biggest tip or trick or hack to staying sane in the busy seasons is really, really simple. Remember your why.
When I start to feel overwhelmed or anxious or like my plate has way too many things on it and I physically just can’t do it all, I stop myself. I take a step back and remind myself that once upon a time this was all just a dream.
I remember the way I felt when I hit my fiftieth sale, or my five hundredth, or my one thousandth. I remind myself that that feeling is worth all the busy and crazy and “hair on fire” feelings.
If your why is your kids or your spouse or the “cha-ching” sound (yes, Etsy does actually make it when you make a sale), it’s real. Let that be the important part. The busy will pass. The why won’t.
Whatever your calendar looks like, I’m cheering for you! Wishing you a holiday season filled with magic, a little hustle and bustle, and a whole lot of sparkle.
*If you are looking a "Tribe" you can join ours here. It is a private Facebook group where we are starting a new Bible Study and we would love for you to join us!