Who's the boss: A lesson for adults

Who's the boss: A lesson for adults

We all have those days when the balancing act of Life gets to be a little… much. I saw a meme the other day that read, “I understand being a responsible adult… But every day? Every single day? That seems a little excessive.”

On days like these (and in all honesty, there are many of them!), I turn tail and seek comfort from those that love me best. Hubby Alex has the fortunate misfortune of sharing a home with me, so he bares the brunt of my lowest moments; even though my mom lives far away, she’s only a phone call away; I have amazing friends and family that don’t mind me blowing off some steam. But sometimes, we need support from someone that is a little removed from the situation and can help put things into perspective.

For me, that is my business coach, Danielle Ewing, and my business accountability group. I leave every weekly call feeling inspired and supported, seen and understood. And some days, I am put in my place and set back on the right path:

On this particular turn-tail-‘cause-adulting-has-become-a-bit-much-day, my fight had melted away (like the wicked witch of the west) until all that was left of me was a whiny, self-pitying puddle.

(I’ll give you a moment to reread that sentence, because it’s a mouthful……….)

Okay —

So, I’m having a lovely not-so-little-rant, complaining about the mountains of work that I have to do and how the days are just whipping past me at an alarming rate and that I don’t know what to take or leave and there isn’t enough time or energy to really make any kind of good progress and no-one has figured out how to duplicate a person (can it really be that difficult?!) and my self-care has gone right out the window because that’s always the first thing that gets neglected because that’s what responsible adults do and how am I supposed to cope when I can’t even go for my healing walkie in the afternoons because I don’t have time and…

“Woah, woah, WOAH”, coach Danielle interrupts (hubby Alex would never dare to do that!).

Danielle: “Just back up for a second... Who plans your calendar?”
(Awkward pause.)
Me (in a tiny mouse-voice): “M-m… me?”
Danielle: “Who?”
Me: “Me?”
Danielle: “So, who removed the walkie from your calendar?”
(I now see where this is going — I followed the cheese right into her brilliant trap!)
Me (resigned to my terrible fate): “Me.”
Danielle: “And who has the power to put it back, knowing full well that you need it?”
Me: “Me.”
Danielle: “Sooo… Who’s the boss?”
(And there it is. She’s sparing my life and gifting me the cheese!)
Me: “Me.”
Danielle: “Who’s the boss?!”
Me (with conviction): “Me!”
Danielle: “WHO?!”
Me (laughing and crying at the same time): “Meeeeee!!!”
Danielle: “So suck it up and go walkies!”

And so I did.

When we are at our lowest - feeling rundown and overwhelmed - we lose perspective of our remaining super power: Although we might not be able to control everything (or anything!), we maintain the power of decision.

Sometimes, the decision that can make life a little easier - make you feel lighter and happier - is seemingly small and silly. Like deciding to set aside all the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood for a moment, and go for a walkie.

 

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