Some days I feel a bit overwhelmed by ALL. THE. STUFF. I have to do. It all kind of builds up inside my brain and on my shoulders. And as the pressure grows so does a feeling of urgency and importance.
I know that if I let this feeling get too big and too strong then probably none of the stuff will end up getting done. But knowing that can add to the pressure, and it becomes a vicious circle.
A wise counsellor, who I actually only met once, gave me this phrase. I don't know if she intended it to become a mantra, but that seems to be how it has unexpectedly evolved for me. I say it to myself when I feel the pressure building, and it helps me.
Maybe you would like to use it as a mantra too, maybe not, but I offer it here for you to use however suits you.
What I love about this phrase (which could be used as a mantra, if that suits your purpose) is it's multiple layers of interpretation, depending on which word you stress.
YOU don't have to do everything perfectly now - means it doesn't have to be you who does the things. Are they all YOUR responsibility?
You DON'T HAVE TO DO everything perfectly now - means that it is not imperative that the the things are done. This is a useful cue to consider where that imperative has come from and what it means to you. What would it mean to you and about you if you didn't do some of the things that you felt you HAD to do?
You don't have to do EVERYTHING perfectly now - means it will be ok if some of these things don't get done. What would it be like for you if some things on your list just didn't get done?
You don't have to do everything PERFECTLY now - means it will be alright if some or all of the things are slightly half-assed, or just good enough. Which of the things really needs you to get it just right, and which ones can you spend slightly less energy on?
You don't have to do everything perfectly NOW - means maybe some of the things can wait until later, or tomorrow, or next month, or whenever. What would it feel like to let go of some of that sense of urgency?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING PERFECTLY NOW - means take a breath, slow down, re-evaluate.
I'd love to know, if you'd like to share, if you have any mantras? How do you use them? Would you like to adopt mine?