Do or Don’t: Having it All

multitask

The Four Percent has lain a bit dormant for the last two weeks, sorry about it! My day job is in a very busy period and after putting in a 12-hour work day, a 1 hour workout, and teaching a 45 minute class – on top of errands, everyday upkeep and lifestyle maintenance – there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Or days in the week. As someone with a full-time job, a fitness side hustle, a personal training schedule and a buzzing social life – hey a single gal needs her girlfriends and a date night every now and then! It is HARD to fit everything in. Right?!

I still have yet to grasp the concept that there are only 24 hours in a day, and more than 4 of them should be dedicated to sleep (that’s why I’m saving up for Botox instead, you can sleep when you’re dead, people!). My mind is nearly always focused on “what’s next” and all of the things I have yet to do. As women, the concept of “having it all” is nothing new. It usually refers to a thriving career, relationship and children, but it’s really different for everyone. To me, “having it all” means…

  • a successful career with happy clients
  • a workout that makes me feeling like a bad ass
  • leading an intense group ex class that actually pushes people to challenge themselves
  • time spent with friends and family
  • a 30-day inventory of written, proofed, and pictured blog posts
  • a clean apartment (with absolutely no dishes in the kitchen sink)
  • a fridge full of clean foods
  • a fresh playlist ripe for a good spin class
  • a closet that can transition flawlessly from season to season.

That’s a lot, right?

It IS a lot, and it mentality often leaves me feeling less than fulfilled at the end of the day because if I don’t check off each box (as insane, unrealistic or neurotic as it may be). I feel like I’m not doing “enough.” And that is not okay. So, I’ve decided that maybe having it all really means finding satisfaction in what I prioritize and choose to do, and not feeling guilty about whatever that little voice in my head says I should be doing.

Sometimes, my job is really not glamorous and sometimes my apartment is in complete shambles and there are a million emails that I have been meaning to get to, but that it’s fine. Having it all is not a synonym for perfection.

One of my fitness inspirations, Charity Gonzalez, believes in the mantra, “Start where you are.” I LOVE that. Have a bad morning? Start where you are – treat yourself to a coffee, reset your attitude and move forward on a positive foot. Eat a crappy meal? That’s okay, start where you are. The day doesn’t have to be a total wash just have a piece of fruit for a snack. Miss a workout? Don’t sweat it, start where you are and do a burpee in your living room, or push just a little harder tomorrow. Working until 10pm? You’re killin’ it so get to bed early to keep your mind sharp.

Having it all doesn’t mean sh*t if you’re not happy. Quantity doesn’t necessarily correspond with quantity. And SOMETIMES a glass of wine with your girlfriends does more for your wellness than a 3 mile run. Start where you are, work with the time you have, and remember the positive. You can have it all, maybe not today, but the good news is…there is always tomorrow.

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    1. Thank you for reading, Hannah! Sometimes we need to take a step back and give ourselves credit for all the things we DO do!

  1. Love the ‘start where you are’ mantra too! I’m terrible for beating myself up about a missed workout and having a crappy eating day because of one cheat.

    1. Me too – the self imposed gilt is the worst! We have to always work on improving our minds in addition to our bodies, we know this!

  2. Awesome reminder. Thanks Kate! I try to remind my yoga students of this exact same thing, but mainly I say it just to help remind myself 🙂

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