How busy is too busy? 5 signs you’re doing too much

In the world that we live in today, being busy is just a way of life.

For some, it might be that it’s just the way you think life should be.

How we should always be carting our kids to and from sports and activities, while squeezing in our tasks, family time, and work.

For a few, it’s a way to show others just how awesome you really are (I believe that to be a lie by the way. If you’re trying to prove something to others, you need to re-assess why that is) because you’re able to do so many things.

For others, it might just be a thing that you don’t even think about. As the world gets busier and more technology is created to save time, you add more to your lineup.

I’m here to call Bullshit on these reasons.

Sorry for the language, but as a Mom of three, homeschooler, and dual business owner who also just launched this new blog, I think it gives me a little bit of credit to say that – because yeah, I do have a fair amount on my plate.

And while I am busy, I am fully aware of my limits and my capabilities to be able handle it all – without going crazy or feeling burnt out.

But, in all honesty, it hasn’t always been this way for me.

Just a short year ago, I was in a rough place.

Trying to re-brand my online business and keep that afloat, working as hard as possible to increase my clientele with my local business, starting back to school with my kids (note that I homeschool, so all lesson planning and teaching falls on me), and trying to be a more present Mom got the best of me.

In simple terms, I was struggling and didn’t even know it.

I honestly thought that was just how my life was supposed to be. I believed that being busy and stressed and angry was how it was supposed to all work.

Thanks goodness reality checked in earlier this year and I came to my senses about that.

So, if you are burning the candle from both ends and feeling like there’s no way of getting yourself out of the hole you’re currently stuck in, then take comfort in knowing that I feel you.

I know exactly what that looks like, both inside and out – and it’s not a good feeling.

So, how do you know if you’re taking on too much?

Well, only you can truly answer that for yourself, as every person and their life circumstances are different, but there are a few tell-tale signs that you can use to determine if you might be biting off more than you can actually chew.

So, let’s get to the bottom of this and see if you’re in too deep with your life.

 

You’re angry – a lot

This is one of those things that I just thought was a part of my personality. I actually believed for a long time that I was just a downright angry person.

I’d lose my cool in a matter of seconds, whether it was over something silly my kids did, if something didn’t go my way in my business, or if my husband didn’t fill the dishwasher the right way (and yes, I do think there’s a right way to do this).

It didn’t matter what the reason was, I was constantly angry with myself, my kids, and my husband.

I started to even believe that I was a bitch – a term I am not fond of and personally makes me crings, but I could slowly starting seeing myself for my actions, and it wasn’t pretty – because once you start believing nasty things about yourself, it doesn’t do a whole lot of good for your mental health.

Once I started to let go of a few things in my life and business earlier this spring, that anger basically melted away and evaporated.

Then I realized that the anger wasn’t a part of me, it was a result of my lifestyle.

So, if you struggle with anger, no matter if it’s something big or small, this could be a sign that you’re simply taking on too much in your life.

 

You’re constantly stressed

This is a big one, and it’s so often overlooked because there’s this sort of unwritten perception that adults must be stressed out in life, if not all of the time, at least part of the time.

I won’t lie – being stressed out is a part of adulthood, but it doesn’t have to be a constant part in your life, nor does the stress need to cause negative adverse effects.

For instant, unforeseen major life events will undoubtedly cause you certain levels of stress, but creating your own stress (that can be completely avoided) is a whole different matter.

Is your hectic schedule of picking up the kids from school and carting them between activities all week have you pulling out your hair?

Then for all that is good, minimize your schedule!

I’m more than willing to bet that your kids would rather have a happy Mom and spend more family-focused time than being shuffled around like a ping pong ball all the time.

Or perhaps client deadlines are creeping up on you too fast making your stress levels go through the roof?

You might consider taking on less work and pricing yourself better for your time.

This way, you’re not overly stressed all the time with multiple clients, but utilizing your time better and giving your clients a better experience and service all around.

Related: 4 basic rules to follow before you raise your prices

At the end of it all, only you are in control of your schedule and how much of your life causes you stress.

You are in full control of certain aspects of your life, so if something is off, or making you go a little nuts, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate those “necessary” activities and re-think what’s truly important.

 

Everything is unenjoyable

When you’re constantly stressed out and angry all of the time, it’s a wonder that you can find anything to enjoy in life.

How can you enjoy anything when you are in a bad mood?

What used to make you light up and spark a light in your soul might not be enough for you any longer, and that can feel so isolating and depressing.

Angry, stressed, isolated, and depressed – not really a winning cocktail you have there, which is only proof that there is no winning side to being overly busy.

You might be able to get through a laundry list of tasks throughout the day or week, but if it’s costing your mental wellness, then is it truly something that’s admiring?

I think by now you can answer that question.

 

It never ends

One tell-tale sign to know if you’re doing too much is to think of your life and responsibilities as never-ending.

Just when you’ve finished one thing, it’s on to the next.

And how can you find comfort or solace in that?!

The answer is: you can’t.

A life that feels like it never-ends is not a life at all – it’s a way of driving yourself and yours sanity into the ground.

And once you dig yourself so far in, it can be an impossible nightmare to get yourself out. I’m speaking from personal experience here.

If you feel like this in your life, then perhaps it’s time for a change, yeah?

 

Dreading it all

Even at the end of a long, hard week, when the work is done and you have no where to be, the doom of starting it all over again on Monday stares at you in the face, even when you do everything in your power to ignore it.

So this constant doom takes over your happy weekend and puts a damper on everything you should be enjoying.

You’re constantly thinking about what needs to be done next & planning out your schedule for the following week that looks like a constant game of tetris.

This is no way to live.

When you are in constant dread of starting the whole never-ending cycle of chaos all over again, then this should be a big warning sign that you’re taking on too much.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters in your life is how you feel about it.

If you’re always angry, depressed, in dread, and stressed as a result of your doing, then take comfort in knowing that you can change that!

I give you permission to cut things out of your life that are strapping you to the ground.

Yes, it might take some effort and even result in a few sacrifices that you think you can’t let go of, but you must always remember why you do what you do and how it effects your quality of life.

Only you can make those changes, and it’s my hope that you can be brave enough to do it!

Do you feel too busy for yourself to handle? Or have you calmed that part in your life?

Share with us your experiences below – we want to encourage & inspire others to take action, even if it means just coming to the terms that you’re too busy!