How to Know You Need a Break from Reality (and what to do about it!)

A couple of months ago, I was totally MIA from just about every form of social media AND the blog. It was stressing me out to be away from it all, but it also was something I needed so desperately. I'm one of those people who never says no; who doesn't like to take breaks and I spread myself way too thin ALL the time! I don't have any explanation for why I am that way, but I'm totally aware of it and I try really hard to make it all work, even when time is SO not on my side.
There's family get-togethers (especially this time of year), work deadlines to meet, relationships to tend to, random life happenings and really just living your life and having things to do. Having so much to do and so little time to get it ALL done causes so much stress, it makes you shut down and causes you to now want to do ANY of it. Now, it almost seems like the constant go-go-go 24/7 mindset is a norm, but girlfriend it just is NOT that easy and only works for a short, short amount of time before you burn yourself the heck out.
I was going nonstop, and I knew that my busiest time of year - the holidays - was quickly approaching. My brain mentally shut off all together and I couldn't focus or get a damn thing done! It was so frustrating, but being so stressed only made it worse. I was pulling myself in 1,001 different directions and I knew something had to change, even though I had no clue what, how to change it or where to even begin. So I didn't, I neglected my blog, business, going places and doing fun things. I just wanted to chill. That's acceptable right? It seems it, but I was still stressed. NOT getting things done was stressing me out, and it always has for me.
The truth of the matter is - we are ALL human and a lot of times in the same boat. We all have a breaking point, we all need some R&R and we all know that that is WAY easier said than done. Giving yourself time to rejuvenate your mind is important not only for your health but also to regain that drive you know you have, and get back into the groove of things. Again, easier said than done... but if I can do it, so can you. ;)
Here's exactly how you'll know that it's time to take that break, and what to do about it:   If you're too tired to fall asleep, you need a break. I know this happens to a lot of us even when we feel perfectly fine (I mean who doesn't get into a good House Hunters binge, and before we know it it's 3 AM?!) but it's a total sign of needing a break. Your mind isn't shutting off, you're constantly thinking and it's causing your sleep to come last.

When you stop paying attention to yourself, it's time to take a step back! It's especially hard to take a break or stop what you're doing if you're on a roll getting things done, but don't skip out on a meal or sleep - you'll only feel worse if you do!

If you can't relax even when you're TRYING to, girlfriend - you have got to take it easy for a while. It isn't the easiest, but if you're going to fix how you feel you have to figure out what it'll take to give yourself some down time. A lot of times I find myself having to re-watch a TV show because I wasn't paying attention - I was busy doing something else and missed the entire episode. It's never a bad thing to be busy, but making time to relax without having your brain move a mile a minute is so beneficial AND important!

It sounds great to be able to snap your fingers and take a break, but it almost never comes that easily. Here's what's helped me be able to shut off more, while still getting a lot done each day:

I aim to go to bed an hour earlier and wake up an hour earlier. Instead of finally shutting my eyes at 12:30-1:00, I aim to be on my way to dream world by 11:30 at the latest! If we're being honest, this almost never happens. I'd love to say that it does, but it isn't always reasonable and that's okay. Even if you work up to an hour earlier by 10 minutes every day, you'll see a difference. Sometimes that later night is required, but it has to be on your terms and can't be every day. At the same time, I started getting up a little earlier and leaving some time to relax before starting my day and getting a workout in a few days a week. I've never been the type to want to workout, especially in the morning but I am LOVING it! Who am I?! LOL.

Start deep cleaning a room in your house. If cleaning isn't your thing, I get it - but at the same time it can be *so* theraputic to turn some music on and organized and clean up. It gets you moving around and there's few things that feel better than a clean space! If you're in a rut or just need a change of scenery or anything of the sort, I guarnatee cleaning may help.

Go treat yourself to something you love! Get a mani/pedi, do a little shopping... Whatever it is you love, do it and afterwards you'll feel refreshed and like you've gotten a nice little break.

Prioritize everything you have going on and figure out what to do first, how you'll get it done and what can wait a bit. This is where a good planner comes in handy and if you aren't already writing everything down, first of all bless your heart - I don't think I'd get anything done if it wasn't written down! And second, start! I'm a very visual person and there's something oh so satisfying about literally crossing something off of your to-do list.

I know, you're reading this and thinking, "yeah that sounds great - as if it'll ever happen!" because I would have thought the same way a month or two ago. It happens to the best of us, but sometimes taking it back to where/why you started what you're doing (whatever that may be) it helps; it makes you realize how far you've come and takes you back to the roots of it all. Cleansing your mind is a huge part of taking a break from the daily hustle and the craziness of daily life, and like I said, if I can snap out of a reality funk, so can you. :)
XOXO -A