Have you ever taken the time to really consider that statement?
I know that many of us have heard it said during our lifetimes but when have you really stopped to consider the meaning behind it?
The definition of a proverb is that it expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is profound in its simplicity and truth.
If we live our lives always working, always rushing, answering emails and text messages, scheduling appointments, working on our ‘to-do list’, and scheduling every waking minute of our day…only to find that there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done just how much joy are we actually cultivating and experiencing in our lives?
If we don’t learn to have appropriate boundaries and create space in our day for us to unwind and recharge than we are creating the perfect cocktail to be burnt out, stressed out and fundamentally not as happy as we could be.
This is why I personally believe that there are times in our lives where we have to take a “less is more approach”.
You need to CHOOSE to prioritize your health and well-being by being able to say NO at times in your life where PUSHING is actually doing you more harm than good as your productivity levels have dropped, your energy is low, emotionally you are spent, etc… Allow yourself or as I like to say, “give yourself permission” to simply relax and let it all be.
It then becomes a CONSCIOUS decision that you are worth it and that you are taking steps to create more balance in your day and optimize you and your state of well being.
When this occurs and you consciously say YES or give yourself permission to pause and recharge the batteries two things happen that align your worlds. The conscious YES aligns with you emotionally and physically and brings awareness to your current situation. Secondly, with this awareness you can then decide what steps need to be taken that are going to benefit you and help you become happier and healthier.
So some easy possibilities for you to consider ~
Turn off the mobile phone, have a day free of checking emails, forget about the to-do list, and instead focus on you. Maybe it means getting out and going for a walk, or perhaps just sitting in the sun and breathing in the fresh air for at least 5 minutes. Is there a movie that you have been wanting to see or a book that you have been meaning to read? Perhaps there is a new restaurant that you have wanted to try or friends you have been meaning to catch up with. Learn to meditate, try something new, practice mindfulness…
Whatever you choose to do FOR YOU make sure your attitude is in alignment with your choice. Have fun! Relax! Recharge! Pause! Smile! Connect with yourself! Connect with others!
There are many ways that we can create the nurturing space that our mind, body and soul desire.
As Nike’s slogan says, “Just Do It!”