Hey all, Amelia here on the Dóchas blog! I want to talk about something that is super important, but when I say it my clients report wanting to punch me in the face. Why? Because what I am asking them to explore is counterintuitive to our societal expectations. I’m talking about doing less.
Everywhere you look, you receive messages to do more. Be more fit. Be funnier. Be more productive, and, above all, never let anyone see you rest.
Does this sound like you at your first (or second, or third…) therapy session?
- “I have done everything I can think of and I still don’t feel like I am getting any better”
- “I have done every checklist and still feel like crap”
- “What can I do to feel better?”
- “What the heck should I do?”
And my typical answer is: Do Less.
At this point, you may be wondering why you came to therapy at all. Let me explain:
You have DONE all of the things, and you still don’t feel better. Clearly, it’s not working.
Have you tried NOT doing things?
How Doing Less Helps You
Before you shake your head and try to find the next action item to do, remember that we are human beings, not human doings. Adding more to our plate when we are already stressed out can feel good at the moment, because it is feeding the anxiety spiral. However, the only real way out is to do less. That means taking time to be. Taking time to breathe, slow down, and let things sit.
Look at it this way: a fire needs both fuel (the logs) and SPACE (between the logs) to thrive. Put too much fuel, or too many logs, and it smothers the fire. We are all basically walking around smothering our own lives because we are trying to do too much without giving our lives the space it needs to breathe.
There is no finish line in this life until we take our last breath. It is a marathon, not a sprint. So take some space and time for yourself to do less. Take the walk you wanted. Take a nap. Read the book. Find a way to give your life space to thrive.
If you are looking for someone to support you on your journey of doing less, feel free to reach out to our team. Dóchas Psychological Services is here if you have questions, so reach out to us at info@dochaspsych.com, or call our main office at (780) 446 0300.
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
