Halfway There and No Where

Anybody else feel that way? Halfway somewhere, halfway done with something, but yet not there? For me, it’s incredibly frustrating!

They said it’s hard to get started, but I feel that it’s harder to keep up that momentum and keeping going.  Take a look at New Year Resolutions – people make them, get going and get some momentum and then… something happens. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to make a lifestyle. I myself struggle quite often with this. I am very bad about usually doing great for 1-2 weeks and then a distraction happens. Either short or long term, simply my motivation is gone. Usually it’s because I feel I got halfway and then just got stuck in a rut and going nowhere. I then either forget or give up.  Anyone with me?

The Halfway Struggle

What are you doing right now that you feel you are doing halfway? Do you struggle with halfsies on any of these?

• Finishing that book
• Doing the dishes
• Doing research
• Finishing that craft
• Collaborating on a blog post/webinar
• Working with someone on a work project
• Making the doctor or dentist appointment but then canceling or not going
• Writing in a journal or planner
• Keeping up with a habit tracker
• Co-parenting

These are simply a few different ways to show that it is so easy to get stuck halfway. We have so many things that demand the fullness of us, not just part of us: our family, our friends, our kids, our homes, our cars, our workplaces, our errands… the list goes on. Burnout is SUCH A BIG THING that the World Health Organization (WHO) has now deemed it a medical occupational diagnosis (not a condition…yet). Check it out the articles about it here, here and here.

So now what?

So I have burnout, what do I do now? It’s time to turn halfway and no way into halfway and YOUR way.

Reflection

Decide what is important and valuable to you.  Also reflect on what is not serving you – if it drains you, then it’s probably not good for you! This goes for people, jobs and tasks. There is being a responsible adult and then there is being a taken-advantage-of responsible adult. Sometimes we do it to ourselves by taking too much on for a multitude of reasons, but the people you are around, the places you go along with the sights and sounds you take in daily affect you greatly. It’s often not blatantly obvious but when a cherished family member, close friend or a friendly coworker point it out or with self-reflection, you can see that the signs are there once you take a breather or two.

If it’s something you don’t want to give up (sans physical/emotion/mental abuse), ask yourself instead if you can give it up/take some time away (even if just temporary). Tell family and friends that you have a lot on your plate and can’t take any extra commitments. More often than not, they will appreciate your honesty regarding the situation and the time and will respect that honesty. They may even ask you instead how they can help you! Try not to blow it off or dismiss it easily either. If you could use the help, graciously thank them. If you have it TRULY handled, still graciously thank them for their offer of help but explain that you have it under reasonable control.

Take an honest reflection and ask yourself – do you see things half full or half empty? Ah, the other tale as old as time. It’s always an endless debate, but the meaning behind it is what counts – do you feel (and act) with a more positive mindset or a more negative mindset? Some situations just SUCK no matter what way you spin it, but how you react to those situations make a difference. If you tend to look more negativity, try to find the beauty in the chaos, find a few moments of gratitude and you’ll begin to see a difference. Either way you look at it, you still have liquid in your glass!

Remember: 2 halves make a whole and not a hole! (Unless you are a bagel or a donut…)

Actions to Consider

Can you delegate anything? What do you wish that you could give someone else to do so that you could do other things? Is it chore related – dishes, dusting, cleaning? Could it be running errands or grocery shopping? Is it having to drive yourself or others somewhere?

Could you hire someone to help out or get you to a point where you feel you could then take over and manage it? Do you know anyone who would be willing to work out a trade for those kinds of services? Would taking an Uber or Lyft help give you the break with driving places? Could your family (adults or kids) or friends help? You never know who might be willing to help and will enjoy the activity with you!

Practical Life Example

Let’s say you enjoy bubble baths and a nice good soak. Who wouldn’t with all of these nifty bath bombs, essential oils and bath/Epsom salts? But hey! The 4 year old isn’t letting you out of their sight, dishes need to be run through the dishwasher and what to make for dinner needs to be decided, Where to start?!

Start with where you are – make a to do list:

• entertain 4 year old
• dishes
• decide on dinner

Now that you know what you need without wracking your brain and allowing other distractions to take over, it’s time to start making a plan:

• Can you entertain your 4 year old and accomplish dishes?
• Can you put on a tv show or DVD long enough to get the dishes done? Better yet, can your 4 year old help you put dishes in the dishwasher together (or if no dishwasher, can they help dry?) It would make a great bonding experience while also showing them the beginnings of what responsibility and chores look like.
• Same thing for dinner – can they help roll out bread/pizza dough, help measure things or use a spatula to spread on or mix in the sauce? Can they roll things into balls or flat patties? Sharing the work and experiencing together will help make the time go by faster and the memories sweeter.
• If the dinner chaos is just too much, what about ordering a pizza? You can still involve the 4 year old by asking what they want (so they feel important), could even put the phone on speaker and order the pizza together.
• When the pizza arrives, you could entertain the 4 year old with their favorite activity, show or DVD while you put your feet in some fizzies or Epsom salts.

Don’t beat yourself up for doing just half or going halfway – there is beauty in the halves of our lives: half moon (aka the Crescent Moon), Best Friend necklaces, sliced fruits, veggies and meats, sliced cakes and pies, splitting hotel, car or other travel costs, being half of a couple, and so many more. It’s not being half, it what you do WITH that half that is important. Remember: You don’t have to always dress to the nines or fully immerse yourself in the experience to have fun and also get everything done too.

Halfway IS better than No way

As they say, those who are out even walking are doing laps around those just sitting on the couch. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed and distracted, but even making an attempt is totally worth it. Even if you try and fail or try and decide it’s not for you, it’s worth it. Even if deemed a failure, you still won an experience, gained wisdom and new insight that might make your next success even better.

What are you doing right now that you feel you are doing halfway? Don’t let FOMO (Fear of Missing out) happen to you! Taking on too many things will overload your plate and risk things being done halfway more frequently. It is better to pace yourself and commit to the things that bring you joy in your passions, a lifestyle of peace and a life full of purpose. I have total faith in you and I am here to be your cheerleader. Let me know below (or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest – @cresmoonstars) how I can best cheer you on.

You are a wonderful being and you are amazingly awesome at everything you do, whether or not you consider it a success. YOU are the success.

Have an amazing weekend, stay cool and hydrated!

As always, let’s shine bright together