I feel like there’s been a lot of talk around the idea of ‘doing less’ and the affect it has on your overall wellness. Personally, I have wrestled with this idea a lot. I am most definitely a do-er. I’m very much a type A, perfectionist, overachieving person. But I’ve come to realize that my body and my mind need time off. This means I’m embracing the idea of doing less more and more — and what that actually means for me. So let’s talk about it and find out more!
Let’s Talk about Doing Less and What It Means for Your Self-Care Routine
What does it mean to ‘do less?’
For me, doing less equates to focusing on a few key tasks in order to be more productive. Not only do I feel plagued by decision fatigue, but I’m also pulled in so many different directions. I tend to get buried in a sea of notifications and emails. I reached a point where I was totally overwhelmed and HAD to do something about it.
One thing that has really helped me is to define times when I will work on specific tasks – and then only work on those things. For example, I only take phone calls and meetings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because I know I need Monday to plan my week and then Thursday/Friday to prep posts and content for the following week. I also only check emails between the hours of 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. But when I check emails, I only check emails… I don’t multi-task.
Doing less also means literally simplifying various elements in my life. Here are a few ways I’ve been doing that.
Less screen time
There is so much science behind how our overwhelming reliance on tech and smart devices has affected our attention spans (and maybe grow horns??). As someone with ADHD to begin with, I reallllly struggle with this. To improve my overall tech addiction, I’ve turned of pretty much EVERFY notification on my phone. I have also set specific times when my phone automatically goes into Do Not Disturb mode. Here are instructions on how to do that for your phone.
I’ve found that going notification-free and using Do Not Disturb means I can get more done, feel productive, AND be more present in the moment when I’m not working.
Less consumption
Honestly, this can mean anything… eating less, drinking less, buying less. I always feel metaphorically heavier when I’m living in excess, like I have too much that requires my focus. There’s something to be sad for the Keep It Simple mentality. For me, this has translated into drinking way less often, going to bed earlier, and only participating in activities that really inspire and drive me.
Less money spent on things we don’t need
Quite frankly, between the kitchen and the wedding, this year has been obscenely expensive. I have like… ‘spending money fatigue.’ Lately, I have challenged myself to try to go a day without buying anything. That means making my own coffee, packing a lunch if I go to the studio, eating the leftovers, etc. When I can actually pull of a full day of no spending, it feels AMAZING. I suggest trying it out.
What are some other ways you’ve embraced doing less? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!
