Sometimes I wonder how I got here. How did my liver decline to the point of needing to reverse it? How am I nearly 33 years old without one single child? Did I do something wrong? Or is this somehow all actually more right than I would like to give it credit for? These are the things I think about as a middle-aged female millennial. These are the overthinking, anxiety-inducing, stress-causing burdens that blur out the everyday tasks that we all blindly walk through…can you relate? Do you feel pressured by society to fit into a certain circle? Do you feel like if you were actually your truest self that it may not sit well with others? Why are we designed this way? And better yet, how do we do better?

The Pressures of the Grind and Burnout

I stare blankly at my brick walled fireplace wondering why this migraine persists although I am “not stressed.” It’s as if somehow the longer I stare, the more I find answers from within. We talked about this recently on the blog. About how we are all so busy all of the time. About how it’s nearly impossible to find time to “self-care” let alone to let yourself think. Meditation comes in many forms… Today, I fear I’m still facing the burnout. It lasts awhile, you see. Because for some amazing reason the human body is resilient. For some reason, even though every single morning when my alarm goes off for the daily grind, and I promise myself if I’m out earlier than expected that I WILL ABSOLUTELY nap…I don’t. I wait and wait and push and push until the point where the migraine sets in, until the point where all I can do is blankly stare at fireplaces hoping for the next adrenaline rush to kick in. But eventually, those run out…or the Red Bulls do. Why do we do this to ourselves? We’re all guilty of it in some way. Whether you run miles each day or bike in the gym classes or work 3 jobs to make ends meet. It looks like a busy parent at the end of the day low on coffee and high on advil. It’s the teacher frustrated that they can’t do more to share their skills. It looks like the teller at the bank dreading the next workday in this monotonous world they live in. We skip from rock to rock, trudging through life as if we’re on one of those long moving walkways that you see in airports…(and other busy places). It’s a theme, you see. The more busy life becomes, the more we’re unknowingly put on autopilot. Do you really want to live that way? More From HB: Unlearning A Fixed Mindset: Leaving Old Habits Behind

The Questions Society Puts On Us

My guess is no. No, you do not. At least I’m not going to. That’s one of the reasons for starting this blog. To track, to understand, to learn and evolve and hopefully help a few others along the way. This is a health blog, both mentally and physically. This is a mindfulness blog, a fitness and gardening and foodie blog, a being a freaking human in the world blog. Are you with me? So many times we’re told we have to choose. We have to dedicate all or nothing to one sport, one activity, one hobby, one topic, one job. I call BS. We are beautiful beings made of stardust and water for effs sake. Why in the universe are we limiting ourselves?? What is behind the pressure I feel to be a mom at a certain age? Why do I feel like if I don’t have kids by the time I’m 35 all hell will break loose and my body “won’t bounce back?” Why can’t I just feel comfortable trusting the process that I’m on the path that I need to be so that I can get my mind, body, and spirit in check before bringing another life into this world? If you feel it’s right, it probably is. Go with your gut, it’s your second brain after all. What is it that you’re looking for in life? What is it that you want to do now, 10 years from now, 50 years from now? Think big. Who’s stopping you, really? I don’t know what to title this post yet. It’s still a mystery. That’s why I love writing. It’s basically like life, in tiny little letters on your digital screen. Changing, rearranging, fixing, undoing, adding. There’s always something different that comes to mind to improve upon. So, instead of continuing to redline on the verge of bursting out of your skin, find something you can create. Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally. Let it take over and just grow wild. Who cares what they think, no one knows who “they” is anyway. My two cents is to start focusing on you. Stop being busy for the sake of being busy and let the universe guide you into who you need to be in this lifetime. Who do you think you were meant to be, anyway?

Finding the Right Outlet

I want to be an emotional writer, a good wife, a pet mom furever and someday a mom of more humans, a kind person, a helpful daughter, a fun soul, a big sister. I want to start embracing myself in ways I haven’t yet done. I’ve come a long way on my journey so far, but I’ve got miles and miles to go to the finish line…and there’s a whole lot of doing I have yet to do. If you’re a creative you may understand what I’m saying. I call it the “squeezy head” syndrome. It was derived from my previous dog, he would literally get so overwhelmed at times that he would squeeze his little forehead in such excitement and anxiety. That’s exactly how I feel sometimes. I get this feeling that my head is just full of ideas and information and things that need to get out. This feeling usually comes after a long time of doing something I don’t find joy in and not spending enough time on doing what I love. The only things I’ve noticed to release that feeling are napping, and you guessed it, writing. Which is why I’m here today. The closer this post comes to an end, the less that feeling is present. Have you ever tried to brain dump? I highly recommend it. Grab yourself a super fun journal and just let it all out. First thing in the morning is the best, but if you don’t mind keeping it on your person, you can journal anytime you feel. It may be hard at first, it’s unnatural. To write your thoughts down on a piece of paper, let alone for the world to see. Your co-workers and family members may think you’re nutty. So be it. Que sera sera. I say enjoy your life, squeezy-head free. 5 Steps To Achieving Your 2024 Goals and How I’m Planning Mine    

3 Goals Can Change Your Day

Here’s a quick trick I also like to implement…(on days that I’m not overthinking). Write down 3 things before bed on a sticky note. (Or you can get yourself one of those really cool clear dry-erase boards that light up. I’m here for that). The key trick is simple though, just jot down whatever comes to mind first. You don’t have to have huge goals to cross off, it could be as simple as eating lunch. Or taking the dog for a walk, or matching your socks correctly. Seriously, don’t take it too serious. The point of this is to allow us to brain dump just a little bit before the night when our minds go into overdrive instead of resting. The next day, try to just finish these 3 things. Make a new list if you’d like after that, but make sure you finish those things first. Being busy is overrated. Let’s all make a pact to slow down and smell the roses. Like, literally. Go find you some.    

Thank you for reading today’s post Breaking Through The Pressure Of Society’s Expectations

I want to thank all my readers and supporters who have traveled with me on my journey so far including today’s post about the pressure of society.  I truly hope this post can help someone.  Have you experienced something similar?  Let us know.