When your potential feels unlimited...how do you know when you've done enough?
I read a really interesting article about burnout the other day and it got me thinking about how easy it is to fall into the belief that we’re always one achievement, one milestone, one move, or one “better” version of ourselves away from finally feeling enough.
We believe that we came here with a purpose to fulfil, an unlimited amount of potential that we must allow to play out. But the thing is, when our potential is unlimited, how do we know when to stop?
How often do we get to the finish line only to notice that our own self-inflicted goal posts have moved? There's always another goal, another project, another way we could be improving ourselves.
Ambition itself isn’t bad. Wanting to grow, create, contribute, and make the most of this life is a beautiful thing. But, there is a difference between being guided by PURPOSE versus being driven by the feeling that who we are right now isn’t enough. It all comes down to our feelings of self-worth. Do we feel inherently worthy even if we're not achieving anything?
Since becoming a mum, I’ve had far less time — and instead of making me want to squeeze more into every moment, it has made me question what is actually worthy of my energy.
Do I want to read more? Move more? Teach more? Connect more? Create more? Earn more? Make a difference?
The answer is yes. (To all of the above)
But I’m learning that I don’t need to achieve all of those things to be content with the life I’m living, or with myself. This particular season of life, is about choosing the path of least resistance instead of giving myself an insurmountable mountain to climb.
So here are a few things I’ve been practising:
Notice the voice that says “do more.”
Sometimes the mind creates urgency where there is none. The practice is in learning to observe the thought before automatically following it.
Create space before filling it.
A full calendar can sometimes protect us from having to sit with ourselves. Allowing moments of stillness, boredom and quiet can be where clarity appears.
Let rest be enough.
Rest doesn’t need to be earned, justified or turned into another form of productivity. Rest is part of the rhythm of being human.
Choose your focus consciously.
We all have limited energy. The question isn’t “how can I do more?” but “what deserves my attention in this season?”
Remember that growth and gratitude can exist together.
You can be excited for what’s next while deeply appreciating what’s here.
This post isn't to say "stop reaching" but rather "stop postponing your happiness until you get there".
