I caught myself living strenuously
What does it mean to you to “Live Strenuously?”
I first exclaimed these words – and my own declaration to stop doing it – with my husband on a road trip this summer.
Ever since, I’ve been curious about what it means to Live Strenuously – and, importantly, what it means to do the opposite.
At an event last month, I asked women what Living Strenuously means to them. Here are some of their answers:
To live in a life where rest does not exist
Stressed with anxiety
Over-scheduled, constantly stressed, trying to fit self-care in
Striving and pushing. Controlling instead of receiving.
Without boundaries
To have 100 tabs open in my brain
To live with struggle to get to the next goal
To never have breaks or buffers in my time :(
Stressed. All. The. Time.
Yep, all that tracks!
I also asked them what they’re ready to START doing instead of Living Strenuously. Their answers included:
Living a balanced life
Smiling everyday
Living with joy!
Living luxuriously and slowly
Living powerfully
Setting boundaries
Closing the unnecessary tabs and opening more FOR ME
Having constant or consistent momentum
Living generously
Giving myself room to breathe and enjoy life
Being in the moment
THRIVING
I’m curious about your answers.
What does Living Strenuously mean to you? And if you’re ready to stop living strenuously, what are you ready to start doing instead?
I’ll admit, I’m still working on my own definition of Living Strenuously. But while the words might not be clear, I know what it FEELS like in my body.
I caught myself Living Strenuously last weekend.
Hurrying to unload groceries from the car, I could feel my stress levels rising as I strategized how I was going to prep dinner, walk the dog, vacuum the living room, and hold firm to those elusive screen limits for my kiddo – all at the same time.
My shoulders ached. My breathing was shallow. My jaw was tight. I ate scraps off the cutting board instead of meal prepping something healthy. I grabbed a 2nd (and 3rd) cup of coffee instead of choosing water. I doomscrolled on TikTok instead of going to bed when I was tired.
It wasn’t my finest moment. And yet, while I was in it, it was really difficult to get out of that mode.
Today, get curious about the ways in which you’re Living Strenuously:
What does it feel like in your body?
What does it look like in your choices, your interactions, and your self-talk?
In what ways does continuing to Live Strenuously impact you?
How would you like to live instead?
I’d love to hear your reflections if you want to share them with me.
Onward,
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