“Sometimes doing less is more than enough.” Kris Carr’s words resonate deeply with my own transformative journey, a journey that led me from the chaotic whirlwind of constant busyness to a place of profound fulfillment. Two years ago, I made a decision that would change my life forever—a radical shift away from the endless pursuit of “more” and towards a simpler, more meaningful existence.
Before this pivotal change, I was caught in a relentless cycle. I was consumed by the desire to do more, achieve more, and be more in every aspect of my life. Each day was a juggling act, as I tried to balance building a business, holding down multiple jobs, and pursuing endless studies, all while somehow finding time for pleasure and relaxation. The reality was that I was spreading myself too thin, taking on far more than I could handle, and in the process, losing sight of who I truly was.
Building a business was an uphill battle, far more challenging than I had anticipated. It required an immense amount of time and effort, and generating a consistent income took longer than I’d hoped. To make ends meet, I found myself taking on multiple part – time jobs, often working full – time hours while trying to grow my business on the side. And then there was my academic pursuit. For over a decade, I was in a constant state of study. One course led to another, and I accumulated multiple certificates, diplomas, and even a master’s degree.
My obsession with comparing myself to others only added fuel to the fire. I would look at the achievements of those around me and feel inadequate. Their successes seemed so much grander than mine, and this constant comparison left me feeling dissatisfied with my own accomplishments. As a result, I pushed myself even harder, believing that more work, more achievements, would finally bring me the happiness I craved.
Ironically, I felt guilty whenever I took a moment to relax. Downtime made me feel lazy, and the quiet moments only served to highlight just how exhausted I was from my workaholic lifestyle. Friends would marvel at all I was doing, saying, “I don’t know how you do it all.” But the truth was, I didn’t know either. I was running on empty, unhappy, and becoming increasingly disconnected from the people I loved the most.
Enough was enough. I knew my life needed to change. I was physically and mentally drained, and I longed for joy, happiness, and connection. I realized that the key to achieving these things was to do less. But before I could start shedding my commitments, I needed to dig deep and identify what was truly important to me. I asked myself a series of questions: What do I love to do? What energizes me? What brings me joy? What do I really want? What do I absolutely have to do?
In the real world, we can’t always do only what we love. There are obligations that we can’t avoid, but we can make choices about how we spend our time and energy. After careful reflection, I identified the things that were non – negotiable: spending quality time with my loved ones, using my business to teach and support others, and engaging in activities that promoted my physical and mental health.
Letting go was not easy. It was uncomfortable to suddenly have empty spaces in my day, and I constantly fought the urge to fill them with more tasks. But I knew I had to resist. I began to establish boundaries to support my new way of life. I decided not to work after a certain time each day, to keep my weekends free, and to limit my screen time, especially when it came to checking emails and social media. On vacation, I made a conscious effort to truly disconnect and enjoy the moment.
Setting these boundaries meant learning to say no, which was incredibly difficult for me. I’ve always been the type of person who hates to let others down and doesn’t want to miss out on opportunities. But I had to remind myself that saying no wasn’t a negative thing. It was simply a way of prioritizing my own needs and making space for the things that truly mattered. Saying no to certain people, business opportunities, and further study was a powerful act of self – care.
I also made a significant mindset shift when it came to comparing myself to others. Instead of feeling inferior, I started to see the successes of others as inspiration. I realized that what we see on the surface is only a small part of the story. Everyone has their own struggles and failures, and by focusing on my own journey, I was able to appreciate my progress and growth.
The results of doing less were astonishing. I suddenly had more time, energy, and enthusiasm for the things that truly mattered to me. I felt more alive, joyful, and present in my life. My work improved in quality, and my relationships with the people around me flourished. Now, whenever I’m faced with a new task or request, I pause and ask myself: How important is this to me? Will this energize or exhaust me? Do I absolutely have to do this?
Doing less doesn’t mean doing nothing; it means being intentional about how I spend my time and energy. It’s about focusing on the things that bring me happiness and fulfillment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
