Social Essence & Your Essence Entangled
After two years of consistent lockdowns and restrictions, in 2022 I was very excited to get out of the house and start socialising more.
During March and April, I was incredibly busy with events for both work and play! I regained a sense of life before the pandemic by returning to the office and saying yes to every social occasion that was offered up.
Returning to a social life that has been busier than ever - as it appears everyone is keen to make up for lost time - it has been enjoyable but somewhat exhausting. Every person that I speak to seems to be in the same boat! With so much social activity, it has in turn affected my own essence of expression. As we are connecting again with others, there has been increased pressure and demands in all aspects of our life (economically, physically, socially and emotionally in regards to our mental health).
I’ve watched as my partner and family have become more emotionally burdened and exhausted than ever before, making it increasingly difficult to support each other, as our own individual emotional demands are taking their toll. I am watching my friends and extended family go through heartbreak and significant emotional challenges that are impacting their world. There is so much happening that something feels as if it just has to give.
The initial excitement for the return to social events has failed to quiet down, if anything it has only increased even more so as the year rolls on. In committing to so much, we are increasing stress levels, overwhelming ourselves and greatly impacting our mental health and well-being.
I’m seeing business owners work harder than ever before to cope with changes that are happening in their respective company’s, to manage and support the people they have working for them. Add to this social outings, financial pressures, relationship breakdowns, natural disasters and managing routine in day to day life and it can be all incredibly overwhelming.
So how do we manage it all without losing ourselves and what makes us truly happy?
It’s time to start saying no.
Not all the time but it’s time to start listening to what gives you energy rather than what takes away. It’s time to regain a sense of balance and perhaps even acknowledge that over the past 2 years, we have ultimately changed after being forced to slow down.
Whilst I have been constantly saying ‘yes’ and trying to juggle everything, I've been seeing the effects of committing too much have an impact on my physical well being. With limited exercise, increasing pain, inconsistent sleep and a change in my diet, it has all impacted ‘my essence’. This then becomes frustrating, as I feel like I am no longer looking after myself by giving priority to my social essence.
I wish I could show up for myself the same way I show up for others; as consistently. This is something I am consciously now working on- to value myself as much as the other important people in my life. I am also improving my regulation strategies and working on letting more things go so that I am not holding onto the day to day events when I return home each night after work.
As a part of social essence, we speak about your top 5 people. I’m grateful that my top 5 keep me accountable and call me out when I am failing to prioritize my own wellbeing and over committing myself.
This is your sign to regain balance. To know that you are not alone in feeling drained and over committed and it’s time for us to appreciate our social connections / outings but to begin saying ‘no; - to prioritize our own unique essence.
We are all in this together, navigating our social essence in conjunction with our own personal essence, self awareness and growth. Take some time to focus on you. Don't be afraid to say no. Do only that which makes you truly happy.
