The ‘Type A’ personality runs through my veins as I do everything in my power from stopping at anything. I like to do everything myself, so I know it is being done to the best of my abilities. I push myself to limits with deadlines that no one has imposed on me. I’m not sure if this is just my personality, my generation, or something I picked up along the way. 

With character traits like this, it is easy to burnout in every aspect of life. It’s not just pushing myself at work or with friends or training, it is wanting to be the best in every single instant. I get tired of doing things I usually love to do. I have trouble saying ‘no’ in order to keep everyone happy while also getting enough sleep, eating enough, and making sure my schedule isn’t too packed while being just stacked enough. 

So, it would only make sense that I also have a hard time stopping and taking a break to slow down. As I said, keeping a tight schedule allows me to push myself until I almost hit a tipping point, then retreat back in just before that feeling of burnout happens. 

I am not one to change my schedule around. When I find something that works for me, I like to stick with it. For example, blogs every Tuesday have been my thing for three years. It’s easy and makes sense for my life. But, as I have entered post-grad work life, it isn’t as easy to be building and posting new content every Tuesday at 11 am. So, I’ve had to adjust, which spoiler alert is not my favorite thing to do.

However, change is good and necessary sometimes, so I’m learning to roll with the tides that are coming my way. I have been learning that no one, besides maybe my mom, are waiting every week for new content. I don’t have to be so strict on myself on posting each week if I don’t have the time or energy to do so. Giving my 100% comes back into play here. I am learning that it’s okay to not post every week, because it’s my blog, my life, my stories, and I can share them when they feel applicable. 

As hard as it is for me to stop and just take a breath, it is immensely important. So, this part week I took a break, a vacation in fact. I spent a few days travelling with my parents, not worrying about work or anything that ‘needs to be done’. I enjoyed my time exactly where I was. I rested, I laughed, I smiled, and I genuinely felt content.

Breaks don’t always have to be trips, they can be a walk in the neighborhood, a phone call with a friend, turning off your phone and going on a drive, meditating, or simply anything that makes your heart rate slow down and makes your brain a little less crowded.

So, to the girl who took a break, you deserved it. You always deserve it. Even when you feel like you haven’t done enough to take a break, I can promise you that you have. I know I tend to get very overwhelmed when I am pushing myself and hold myself to extreme standards and let me tell you it never ends well. When you begin feeling overwhelmed or like nothing is working out the way it should, take a breath and just take 5. Get away from your computer, open a window, drink some water and when you are ready, start fresh. I promise you a little break isn’t going to be your make it or break it moment. You are doing great but don’t forget everyone needs some time to reset.