Have you ever stopped and asked yourself…. what is actually enough? This can be a hard topic when society pushes for more money, more success, more productivity. This season is about redefining “enough” in a way that feels aligned and peaceful.
Why We Struggle with the Idea of “Enough”
As stated, society pushes for more money, more success, more productivity. We are always connected either through cell phones, email communication, social media, and other formats which allows us to always be “on.” This can lead to comparison, feeling as if we do not have boundaries, and curating a life that is really unattainable. Ultimately, this is not good for our mental health. With the pressure to always be leveling up, there is this natural fear that slowing down or being comfortable is dangerous. It is in fact not dangerous at all, but essential for us to thrive. We need to stop looking at “enough” as settling for something less, and reframing it to knowing what we have in this moment is substain and enough.
What Enough Doesn’t Mean
Enough does not mean:
- Giving up on your goals
- Lack of ambition
- Staying stuck
You can want more and appreciate what you have, where you are, and how far you have come.
What “Enough” Looks Like For Me Right Now
This section is going to get personal and it may not resemble what “enough” looks like for you and you know what, that is okay. This is why we don’t compare.
Financially
Right now “enough” for me is having a plan to reduce debt, even if it is not perfect. I have a plan to assist myself in increasing my income by tracking all income, identifying means to work towards increasing that income, and making an action plan. I am constantly remembering that progress in this area is far better than perfection because as soon as I reach my income goal, I know I will want to increase it again. That is just the nature of upleveling your income. Additionally, I feel pretty stable in my income and do not need to constantly chase more in this season. I am enjoying what I am doing and I know more will incur, but I am not going to chase it down. I want it to flow to me naturally.
Personally
Personally, I am slowing down when I know I need it. I am taking breaks away from social media in the evenings and taking that time to read. I read a lot. Heck last year I read 37 books and as of the end of March I have already read 21 books. Let me tell you, most of them are on personal growth. Your girl is on a journey! Even though I have enjoyed reading self-development books, I do take time to read books that are enjoyable. I am currently reading one entitled Behind These Four Walls by Yasmin Angoe. It is a psychological thriller. It has been the perfect excuse to slow down!
Along those lines, I am not overfilling my schedule. There are some days that are much more hectic than others, but I am intentionally focusing my time on things that bring me joy. This helps me protect my energy and not overstretch myself. I have been the “yes” girl for far too long and I am enjoying taking the time just sitting on the couch with a book and talking to my husband.
At Home
At home, I have been working on up leveling our home through little projects, mostly inspired by my husband’s own ideas. Last quarter, I decluttered two closets in our spare bedroom, two kitchen cabinets (where I also installed shelf liner), and we painted the half bathroom. We, meaning mostly my husband, but I did help. We also bought new living room furniture. These incremental changes are not only necessary, but make you feel so good. It really does feel like we are up leveling our home through these actions.
The Power of Contentment and Gratitude
If you are having trouble feeling that you have “enough” for now, let me guide you on how you can see how truly blessed you are. The first thing to do is start a gratitude journal. Start your morning with naming one thing you are grateful for and end the day with one thing you were grateful for that occurred. Listen, some days are hard! I get it. There have been days when I say the thing I am grateful for was the coffee that I made, the sun shining, the warmth of my home. It doesn’t have to be something spectacular each day. I am ended my nights thinking I was grateful that I had a moment to just pause between a lot of work from contracts, to MOUs, to datasharing agreements, it can be a lot at times. I often work through my lunch break because I pick up my kids from school, but when I am able to take five minutes to step away from my computer during hectic days then I am grateful for the mental break. I have been grateful for a crockpot meal because our schedules were full. You can always find something to be grateful for!
Signs You’re Already Living in “Enough”
There are signs that you can become aware of that help you see that you are already living in “enough.” These signs include:
- Feeling moments of peace in your day
- Making progress, even if it is slow progress (remember progress is progress)
- You are more intentional with your time
- You are learning to say no (very hard to do, but very much needed at times)
- You’re less focused on comparison
How to Define “Enough” for Yourself
To define “enough” for yourself, check your priorities. What are you prioritizing in your life right now? What season of life are you in? Are you in the hustle and bustle of work parenthood? Are you busy or rebuilding your business or are you resting and growing? Are you doing a little bit of both? Are you letting go of outside expectations? These are all ways that you can help define “enough” for yourself. You have to stop measuring your life by someone’s expectations and timelines. We all accomplish things on our own timeline and what is right for someone else is not always right for you. Don’t allow their accomplishments diminish yours.
Redefining Enough
Enough isn’t a number, it is a feeling. In this season, enough might look quieter, simpler, or more intentional, and that is not a step back, it is alignment.
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