What Happens When You Stop Trying to Do Everything?

There’s a particular kind of tiredness that comes from always feeling like there is something else to do. The emails that need answering, the washing that needs putting away, the shopping, the work, the appointments, the messages, the things you promised you’d do last week and the things you’ve already planned for next month. And even when you finally sit down, there can be that little voice in your head reminding you that you could be doing something else.

But what would happen if, just for a little while, you stopped trying to do everything?

We are not very good at doing nothing

For many of us, being busy has become completely normal. We move from one thing to the next without really noticing how little time we leave for simply being. Even rest can become something we need to be productive at. We might decide we should meditate, go for a walk, read a book, have a bath or do some yoga — and suddenly relaxing becomes another item on the to-do list.

But perhaps rest doesn't always need a purpose. Sometimes sitting with a cup of tea and looking out of the window is enough. Sometimes an early night is enough. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing for ten minutes is exactly what your body and mind need.

Your body notices when you slow down

When we're constantly rushing, our bodies can spend a lot of time in a state of alertness. Our shoulders creep up, our breathing becomes shallower and we can find ourselves holding tension without even realising it.

Slowing down gives us a chance to notice what is actually going on in our bodies. Maybe you realise your jaw has been clenched all morning, or your shoulders have been sitting somewhere around your ears. Perhaps you notice that your breathing becomes much deeper as soon as you stop and give yourself a moment.

This is one of the lovely things about yoga. It doesn't have to be about achieving a particular pose or having a perfect practice. Sometimes the most valuable part is simply taking the time to notice how you feel.

You don't have to earn your rest

This is something I think many of us need to hear more often: you don't have to finish everything before you're allowed to rest.

Because, realistically, everything is rarely finished. There will always be another email, another load of washing, another job around the house or another thing that could be ticked off the list. If we wait until everything is done before we rest, we might be waiting forever.

Rest isn't a reward for being productive enough. It's part of looking after ourselves.

What if you did a little less?

I'm not suggesting you abandon all responsibility and spend the rest of October under a blanket! Sometimes it's much simpler than that.

Could you leave one job until tomorrow? Could you say no to something you don't really have the energy for? Could you stop checking your phone for an hour? Could you go for a walk without listening to anything? Could you sit down without immediately reaching for your phone? Could you give yourself permission to have an evening where you don't need to achieve anything at all?

Small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.

Making space for yourself

As we move further into autumn, there's something lovely about allowing life to become a little slower. The days are getting shorter, the mornings are darker and we naturally spend more time indoors. Perhaps our bodies are asking for something different from us, and we don't always have to fight against that.

Maybe autumn can be an invitation to turn inward a little. To make your home cosy, enjoy slower mornings, spend time with people you love and move your body in a way that feels good rather than punishing. It can also be a chance to breathe a little more deeply and remember that you don't have to do everything.

So, what happens when you stop trying to do everything?

Perhaps you breathe a little more easily. Perhaps your shoulders drop. Perhaps you become more aware of what you actually need rather than simply moving on to the next thing. Perhaps you discover that some things really can wait.

And perhaps you realise that looking after yourself isn't another job to add to the list. It's simply part of life.

So this week, see if you can leave a little space in your day. Not to be productive, not to improve yourself and not to tick another box. Just to pause, breathe and be.

Sometimes, that's enough.

Namaste, Angela at Sussex Yoga