By We’re all busy. Lord knows that I fill my day to the brim at times, so much so that even I sometimes don’t even know how I planned it all out without double-booking myself. Even with my busy-ness, I make sure I never lose sight of my happiness. It’s hard, but it’s not impossible!
Here are 5 tips for navigating a busy life without losing your happiness:
1 – Understand If Your Schedule Assists Your Priorities
The hardest part about having a busy schedule is understanding what is a priority and what is not a priority, and making sure that your schedule reflects that. For example, if working out every day is a priority for you, but you work long hours every day, finding the time to get in a good session could seem next to impossible.
If you are unable to adjust your work schedule to adhere to the time needed for your priorities, you may need to consider finding ways to rearrange certain aspects of your day. Maybe you might need to wake up a little bit earlier, or go to bed a little bit later. Or maybe you can try to fitness in a quick workout during your lunch break. Anything is better than nothing. True happiness is finding a way to focus on many, if not all of your personal needs.
2 – Find Joy In Your Busy-ness
When you are consistently busy, it can be hard to fully appreciate the things that you are doing. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how busy or not busy you are, if you’re not enjoying what you are doing then happiness will be hard to capture.
Even if what you’re doing is a task that is tedious, mundane, or downright aggravating, you should still do everything in your power to find joy in what you are doing, as hard as it may be. The task you are doing now, while it may not be your favorite thing in the moment, it may be something that leads to bigger and better things in the long run… take joy in that!
3 – Make Time For Your Friends & Family
This is the one I struggle with the most. I am very much a work-in-progress with this one, unfortunately. I’ve soured a couple friendships simply because I did not go out of my way to make time for that person, even though I wanted to. As a result, I get frustrated with myself and suddenly I take less joy in what I do.
At the end of the day, no matter how busy you are, you need meaningful interaction in your life, no matter how busy you are. It is a good reminder that life isn’t just about ourselves, it’s also about the people that we surround ourselves with. These are the people that can carry us and support us when we feel like we’re at our lowest.
My goal for 2022 and beyond is to make time for the people I care about, even if it’s a quick drink or dinner. I am willing to make that sacrifice for the sake of my friends and family… it’s more than worth it.
4 – Build In Time To NOT Be Busy
If I am really bad at finding time for my friends, I am really good at finding time to NOT be busy. That is a skill I am proud to inherit. What I mean is that I find a way to work laziness and relaxation into my schedule. I literally schedule it into my life. It seems crazy to think that way, but it works for me, perhaps it would work for you too!
We all need a second to breathe. Maybe it’s a trip to the movies, or a night watching your favorite show on Netflix, or reading a new book, or even a coffee date with a friend. Whatever it is, DO IT and work it into your schedule!
5 – Don’t Be Afraid To Say “No”
I just learned this one recently, and it’s been great. Look, saying “no” to someone is hard… like really hard, especially if you have a fear of letting people down.
Think of it this way: You know how you’re instructed that in the unlikely event of an emergency on an airplane that you should put your own breathing mask on before you put on someone else’s? With life, it’s the same concept. There is no issue with putting your needs and priorities first. You are allowed to say “no” if it doesn’t help propel your life forward.
In Conclusion: You Need To Fully Embrace Your Busy Life
Busy-ness is a choice. No one is forced to be busy. We harness busy-ness because we want to feel like we’re doing everything we can to accomplish our goals. We all have bills to pay, mouths to feed, inner gratifications to satisfy… we do what we can to do it all.
If you have that mindset, you need to fully embrace it and run with it. People like you and I are at our best when we’re busy, so why shy away from it? Embrace it and find that happiness you’re longing for.
Good Vibes,
Ky