For a long time stress was a huge status symbol for me. I would intentionally take on additional tasks and public facing roles to hear things like, ‘I don’t know how she does it’. Slowly but surely breaking up with that routine. Stepped down from a position on an executive board last summer and the pressure it lifted really helped me realize that ‘being impressive’ isn’t always worth it
Something deeply powerful about being brave enough to let go of that source of feedback. Kind of like stepping into the void. But on the other side now you’re able to explore your value from its much, much deeper roots. Love that, thank you so much for sharing! 🤍
When you relayed how stress makes us feel “valuable.” I have learned the intense lesson (multiple times) that I don’t have to do it ALL. It doesn’t automatically make you the best. And to be real, it didn’t give me the happy feelings like I thought it would when I was doing everything. It left me emptier. Last year, I was the most stressed I ever was. And when I finally allowed myself to slow down this year, my brain was almost looking for ways to be stressed out. Like the addiction you talked about. I found out at the doctor that my own adrenal glands were still pumping out high levels of cortisol even when I was trying to slow down. My own body grew accustomed to the high levels of stress in the worst way. I have had to purposefully work on kicking my own addiction of being overly stressed. I’m still struggling to find the balance but day by day, I’m working at it. Scheduling changes, my own perspective, breathing and most importantly for me-working out (:
It really does fill whatever space it’s given! This is so real and so relatable, thank you for sharing with us. 🤍 I love that you aren’t boxing yourself into a zero sum measure of success as you work through this. We learn, we grow, we try, and we keep adapting as our needs change. Great work!
For a long time stress was a huge status symbol for me. I would intentionally take on additional tasks and public facing roles to hear things like, ‘I don’t know how she does it’. Slowly but surely breaking up with that routine. Stepped down from a position on an executive board last summer and the pressure it lifted really helped me realize that ‘being impressive’ isn’t always worth it
Something deeply powerful about being brave enough to let go of that source of feedback. Kind of like stepping into the void. But on the other side now you’re able to explore your value from its much, much deeper roots. Love that, thank you so much for sharing! 🤍
This is an excellent read. WOW.
I'm so glad to hear it was meaningful! What resonated the most for you?
When you relayed how stress makes us feel “valuable.” I have learned the intense lesson (multiple times) that I don’t have to do it ALL. It doesn’t automatically make you the best. And to be real, it didn’t give me the happy feelings like I thought it would when I was doing everything. It left me emptier. Last year, I was the most stressed I ever was. And when I finally allowed myself to slow down this year, my brain was almost looking for ways to be stressed out. Like the addiction you talked about. I found out at the doctor that my own adrenal glands were still pumping out high levels of cortisol even when I was trying to slow down. My own body grew accustomed to the high levels of stress in the worst way. I have had to purposefully work on kicking my own addiction of being overly stressed. I’m still struggling to find the balance but day by day, I’m working at it. Scheduling changes, my own perspective, breathing and most importantly for me-working out (:
It really does fill whatever space it’s given! This is so real and so relatable, thank you for sharing with us. 🤍 I love that you aren’t boxing yourself into a zero sum measure of success as you work through this. We learn, we grow, we try, and we keep adapting as our needs change. Great work!