When Is Enough Enough (What I Learned Taking A Break)
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Have you ever hit the end of a year and felt like you'd been juggling one too many flaming torches? Last year was one of those times for me. Everything stacked up at once, and it felt like my mind was in overdrive. I knew I needed to take a step back or I'd burn out.
In this episode, I chat about what happened when I took two weeks off, how that break helped me reset, and what I discovered about my mind. It’s not always easy to slow down when you run at a hundred miles an hour, but those precious days off showed me the power of rest and reflection.
The Final Stretch of the Year
Looking back, the end of the year was a blur. I’d taken on new projects, said yes to too many requests, and felt mental clutter piling up. My dyslexic and ADHD mind was buzzing from all the tasks I’d overcommitted to. I'd tell myself I could handle more, but it turned into a constant game of catch-up.
“I was so busy last year. It was a cluster… of an end to the year.”
That moment of awareness came hard and fast. I was exhausted and frustrated, partly with the world but mostly with myself. I realised I'd lost sight of what really mattered: practical boundaries and time for my mind to breathe.
Embracing a Two-Week Break
I finally hit pause for two weeks. No agenda, no big plans, just time to decompress. For once, I let myself do things like lounge around without guilt and follow my curiosity—whether that was catching up with friends or reading something totally unrelated to work.
It was both exhilarating and uncomfortable. My brain kept saying, “Shouldn’t you be doing something?” But I clung to my decision and let the noise settle. After a few days, I noticed my head clearing. It was like a storm passing, leaving calm skies behind.
What I Learned About My Mind
Dyslexic and ADHD brains crave stimulation. Yet we also need moments of quiet to process all the information we gather. During that break, I realised our minds hoard thoughts when we're busy, then struggle to let them go. When we rest, those thoughts can settle, and we gain insights we’d have missed in the chaos.
- Identity Check: Time off gave me a clearer sense of what I value, personally and professionally.
- Mental Decluttering: I decluttered my schedule and discovered which commitments I truly wanted to keep.
- Energy Reset: Letting my cortisol levels drop helped me see issues in a new light.
It was a bit like organising a messy wardrobe. Once you pull everything out and chuck away what doesn't fit, there’s room to breathe. My brain loves that feeling.
Practical Strategies Going Forward
When I jumped back into work, I wanted to keep that sense of clarity alive. Here are a few things I tried:
- Block Rest in the Calendar: I'd actually schedule mini-breaks so I wouldn’t neglect them. Seems basic, but if it's not scheduled, I'd usually skip it.
- Set Fewer Goals: I cut my to-do list in half. It was scary at first, but it let me focus on what mattered most.
- Ask For Help Faster: I stopped waiting until I felt buried to ask for support or delegate tasks. It saved me two times over.
Those small adjustments made a big difference. I felt energised and ready to tackle the important stuff without hitting that looming wall of overwhelm.
Finding Balance in Chaos
It’s not about dodging chaos altogether because that’s near impossible in real life. It’s more about recognising when the pace is too fast and taking a step back before you crash. Our dyslexic minds are capable of amazing creativity and insight, but we have to protect that spark by giving it time to rest.
I learned that balance doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. For me, that means planning pockets of downtime and being honest with myself when things get too hectic. The more I practise, the clearer my head becomes, even in a whirlwind.
- Give Yourself Permission to Pause
- Craft a System that Supports Breaks
- Be Mindful of Over-Committing
- Remember Rest is a Superpower
I still slip up. We all do. But at least now I realise how vital these habits are, and I’m committed to tweaking my routine so I can stay on track.
Key Takeaways
- A busy mind needs deliberate rest or it risks total burnout.
- Saying “no” or “later” to certain tasks can be the best gift to yourself.
- Two weeks off showed me the clutter I was ignoring in my head.
- Minor tweaks—like shorter to-do lists—create real breathing room.
- Being proactive about downtime protects your mental health.
If you want to hear the full story—complete with all the mishaps and aha moments—make sure you listen to the full episode. The podcast player is at the top of the page, so hit play when you're ready and join me for a deeper dive into how a chaotic year turned into a lesson I needed.
