Knowing When to Stop: Why Doing Things You Love is SO Important
So I was sitting here, trying to decide what to write this weekend’s blog post about, PANICKING because my Lightroom Mobile app wasn’t working, I didn’t have my computer with me, and no one was able to help me with what I needed to do. Originally, I wanted to write something for Canadian Thanksgiving, but posting ‘What I love to do for Thanksgiving Weekend’ on a Sunday night seems pointless.. Sure, the feature image of a blog post is really important because it is the first thing you see when you open up a post. However, the amount of value and stress I was putting on getting the photo ready and the post up in time was really NOT worth it.
I’m the kind of blogger, and the kind of person, to be completely transparent. I find that kind of real-world content super valuable. I just don’t see a point in hiding the real me to the world, because I assume you follow me to see who I really am! We are bombarded with content and photos of people living their best lives and doing crazy stuff or wearing fab outfits on a daily basis. As a wise Lady Gang guest (Sophia Amoruso) once said ‘don’t compare your hustle to someone else’s highlight reel’. So, even if someone looks like they’re having the time of their lives, they may be struggling in their day-to-day just as much as you are. Life is not perfect, not matter how hard we (especially me..) try to make it. That is why today, instead of writing about ‘What I love to do for Thanksgiving Weekend’, I am writing about why it is so unbelievably important to know when to stop, and why you MUST do things that you love doing - because they make life worth living.
KNOWING WHEN TO STOP
This has always been something I’ve struggled with. Since I was really young, it was extremely difficult for me to know when to stop, take a step back, and reflect on the stakes and importance of whatever I was upset about. I would.. and still do, work myself up about whatever school project, job application, or blog post I was working on, and would be stressed out for hours on end. Not until the task at hand was completely finished did I feel better. That is definitely not a healthy way to live life.
This may happen to you in your career, in a relationship, or even when you’re by yourself working on your side hustle. Stress and over-stimulation come at us from every angle, and it’s important to know when to stop putting so much pressure on yourself to get something done right. I care so much about my blog, almost to a fault, that if I don’t get some cookie-cutter blog post up on the exact same day at the exact same time every weekend, it is the end of my world as I know it. Yes, you should put your all into what you love, but if it is causing me to pull my hair out to do so, is it really worth it? I’m not going to stop writing my blog, obviously, but I AM going to start putting less pressure on myself to make it perfect all the time.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE
That being said, I do wholeheartedly LOVE writing my blog. It makes me happy to know I can share a part of my small, seemingly insignificant life with other’s who care about and value the same things as me. I am so thankful for the extremely exciting opportunities it has afforded me thus far, and look forward to hopefully many more opportunities to come in the future. I’ve met some amazing people, I’ve seen some amazing things, and I have learned so much about myself and my personal brand along the way.
If you love photography, get yourself a camera and start shooting in your free time. If you love working out, get yourself the ultimate gym membership and sweat it out every time you get a chance. Doing what you love allows you to cultivate your personal passions, and leaves you with something exciting to look forward to. Maybe you love scuba diving, and you just planned an awesome scuba diving vacation for you and a friend. Or maybe, you are an avid painter and signed yourself up for a weekly art class. Better yet, do the things you love that entail getting to know other people with similar passions. It’s the best way to make some new friends and take your mind off of your daily stresses for a while. I love writing my blog by myself in the peace and quiet of my home, but I love sitting down to write at a coffee shop with my best friend equally as much. Find the people who bring you up and encourage you to be a better version of yourself!
This week, be thankful for what you have, even if it causes you stress and anxiety. I am thankful for this blog, and for each and every person who reads it. Whether that is every week, every few weeks, or every one in a while, you’re taking the time out of your day to hear what this weird, over-the-top Toronto woman has to say. That’s what I’m thankful for this year. what are you thankful for? Reflect and express your gratitude with me in the comments!
