Do You Need To Let Go?

Do you need to let go?….  I know I do.  I sometimes wonder at what point in my life I think I morphed into superwoman?  I obviously haven’t turned into a superhero, yet I feel a tremendous pressure to give everything 100%, to be perfect in every aspect of my life and be everything to everyone at the same time.  When I am not perfect, which inevitably happens with alarming frequency, MORE pressure is added to my already ladened shoulders.

I have known for some time that I need to let go of my idea of what achieving is, of being successful.  I give a lot to others and while that is who I am in my soul, there is nothing left for me when I reach the end of the day.  Between looking after Baby and working where I can, there is never a single second to just ‘be’.  When did I decide that just ‘being’ wasn’t worthwhile, that I was somehow wasting time if I spent even 5 minutes gazing out of my bedroom window, reflecting on my life.

I was approached by Sanctuary Spa and asked if I would like to help spread the word about their #LetGo campaign.  As soon as I read the email I knew it was something that I definitely wanted to do.   They have made this video, which I actually found quite an emotional watch.  It certainly made me stop and think.

Sanctuary Spa recently commissioned a survey which revealed women today are feeling enormous pressure in every aspect of life. Women are trying to keep up with the ideal that we have to be perfect at absolutely everything we do and the pressures that we feel from the outside world just amplify our feelings of inadequacy.  Santuary Spa feel in this world of pressure we need to…#LetGo.

They want to challenge the perception that success equates to busyness, leaning-in and being a superwoman.  Success and wellbeing lie in stepping back every now and again, appreciating those moments and letting go. They have been working alongside expert life strategist Jenni Trent-Hughes, as well as some women who we believe offer unquestionable life advice – women who have been there, done that, got the t-shirt and can share their invaluable advice with the rest of us, the women in the video.

Could you reliquish your ‘to do’ list and maybe have a ‘to don’t do list’ instead, just some of the time?  Take a few moments for yourself, read a book or paint your nails.  How nice would that be?  It doesn’t add immediate value to anyone elses life, but I think it will help yours. Time we spend on ourselves shouldn’t be considered in any way wasted.

Jenni Trent-Hughes

From the beginning of time women have been multi-tasking but in the 21st Century we have become overly attached to our busyness; busy and stressed have somehow become inextricably linked with success.  In order to be really successful we need to #LetGo of these antiquated attitudes. Think of it as carrying a wagon behind you. The more that is in the wagon the harder it is to pull and the harder it is to pull, the more tired you will be and the less distance you will cover.

When was the last time you put a Do Not Disturb sign on the bathroom door and climbed into the bath for a long soak? When was the last time you sat on a park bench for even ten minutes and did absolutely nothing? No searching through your emails on the phone. No playing games. Nothing. ‘Get present to your presence’. Take a long hard look at yourself. Is there a sparkle in your eye? Is there still a slight skip in your step? If you met yourself at a party would you think ‘Oh I’d like to be friends with her’?  If you don’t like the answers to those questions then maybe it’s time for a rethink. Time to look and see what you can do, or stop doing that will take you back to being that person.

It’s in your hands. Time to take action and learn to #LetGo.

4 ways to #LetGo

1. Say what you are grateful for every morning

First thing in the morning, before you say a word to anyone and start planning your day, ask yourself ‘what am I grateful for?’ and whatever it is then say ‘thank you’. It doesn’t need to be anything grand or complicated, it could simply be ‘my family’, ‘my lovely soft skin’ or ‘that the dog didn’t chew my new shoes’.

2. TT3 (Today’s Top 3 – things that you want to accomplish)

They could be small things, medium things or giant things – but stick to just 3. Write them on a little notepad and cross them off when you’ve done them – don’t put them in your phone, write them on a piece of paper. At the end of the day rip the paper up into little pieces and throw it away. Remember to be reasonable with your TT3; 1. Solve World Hunger. 2. Cure the Common Cold. 3. Learn Mandarin, is just asking for trouble.

3. TOT (Turn Off Time)

Turn off your phone and or tablet for 30 minutes per day. You can divide the time if you’d like but nothing smaller than ten minutes each time and it must be off. Not on silent. Perhaps choose this for your commute home, when you’re preparing the evening meal or when you’re soaking in the bath. But always off.

4. Use your commute time as You Time

Read a frivolous book. Crochet a scarf. Look at holiday brochures. Meditate. Do NOT plan your next work day. Do NOT worry about the kids’ homework. Do NOT read celebrity gossip stories and worry why you’re not managing like Gwynnie.

So what are you waiting for?  Do you think you can #LetGo and have a little ‘you’ time?  Let’s spread this message to women all over the world.  We need to value ourselves more and not just value the impact we have on others.  If you love this campaign, as much as I do, then it would be great if you could share this post.

Let’s start a ‘me time’ revolution!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in the Sanctuary Spa #LetGo campaign