As a psychotherapist, it would be a dream to never hear the words “I’m too busy” when it comes to scheduling in the self-care that therapy is. I get it, and I’ll be the first to tell you that addressing the complexity of stress takes a lot of work. It requires time, space, and moxie to begin tackling everything we usually keep from seeing daylight. 

But, as a psychotherapist, I know what stands on the other side of people signing up to do the work therapy brings to the table. Describing it as ‘transformation’ puts it lightly. When we begin taking down the mask of stress that our problems hide behind, we give ourselves the gift of awareness and the room to make different choices. 

Shelving stress by saying “I’ll come back to this when I’m less busy” only prolongs all of the symptoms we know all too well. Like being trapped by our own thoughts, feeling lost and unhappy, forgetfulness, and being ready to give up in the face of unrelenting pressure, just to name a few. Simply put, avoiding stress compounds it. 

Want to break free? Here’s 3 tips to get you started :

1.  Get clear on what busy-ness actually is for you.

Ask yourself the question, ‘what does being busy actually look like in my life?’, and write down your answers. Do you find yourself running from place to place each day? Do you have a to-do list a million miles long? Are you constantly checking your phone? Jumping from friendship to friendship? Or maybe you find yourself with circling thoughts and never-ending projects that you start but never really complete. Whatever you come up with, write it down and keep going until it feels really clear what being busy actually means for you. 

2.  Ask the question “what is my busy-ness blocking me from?”

It’s deep, but let’s go there. The fact of the matter is that our time is limited to the 24 hours that we have in a day. When we make the choice to spend our time on busy-ness that is unfulfilling, it blocks us from what is actually fulfilling. With your schedule jam packed with things to do, what is being left out? Take the challenge one step further and write out what it means to leave these things out of your life. 

3. Find someone who specializes in stress and take the plunge. 

Use the information you just uncovered as the drive to tackle your unrelenting stress once and for all. Find someone who specializes in stress and schedule a time to meet with them. Once you’re off the phone, make a note in your scheduled block of three results you’ll see when living a life with less stress. Let this serve as your guide during your initial conversation with your therapist, to begin creating your roadmap to releasing stress and stepping into life on your own terms. 

If you’re ready to begin releasing your stress and confidently step into life on your own terms, schedule your free pre-consultation today by clicking here or via email at  Jakkie@NorthernEdgeCounseling.com.