The truth that we need to swallow

We can't do it all. I can't. You can't. Nobody can. It isn't our job to cram as much as we can into our everyday lives just because we might have enough time to do it and it's a good opportunity to take. What we need to realize is this: we are not as necessary as we think we think we are.

Now, don't get me wrong. You are incredibly important in this world. As am I. We each have unique capabilities and characteristics that are special to us and are going to be used in incredible, world changing ways.

BUT...

It's okay to say no to people, opportunities, and experiences if it's just too much. We all have a breaking point, a point of overflow.

We used to do this experiment in school. I don't remember why we did it, or what subject it was in relation to, but i've never forgotten the experiment. We had a penny sitting on the table and with a dropper we had to drop individual water droplets on the penny. We would try and estimate how many drops we thought it would take for the water to spill off the penny and on to the floor. Contrary to popular opinion, the penny could hold A LOT of water drops. But eventually, you placed that single drop that was just too much and boom, the water bursts and covers the floor.

Well that penny is our mind, friends, the drops of water our every day tasks. We can hold so much. We are capable of so much. But we shouldn't have to reach the point of the boom. We should know ourselves better than we know the penny, and be able to tell when we are about to burst before we do. It is in those moments of recognition that we need to say no. Whatever the question/opportunity/task may be, we need to learn that it's okay to not take on everything for the sake of our own minds.

So hear me on this- it's okay to turn down the extra hours at work, the harder level classes, the good things that come your way, if it isn't going to do good for YOU. Yes, you probably can handle it. We are humans and our brains are designed to hold an insane amount of information and to accomplish endless amounts of things while we do it. Regardless, it does't mean you have to, simply because you can.

We need rest. We need time to refuel and get back to 100%. If we are constantly pouring ourselves out to others but we are doing it with an empty cup, we aren't giving anyone anything of worth. We- you and I- need to be filled so that we can pour value and helpfulness into others. How do we become full? By saying no to potentially good things to allow ourselves time to do what we already have on our plates, well.

Listen, I hate this concept so much. I hate thinking that I have to turn down opportunities in life even when they could be wonderful things. It's crucial though. There is no reason to take on the weight of the world alone, when there are other people who are fully capable, willing, and eager to take some of the load and carry it with you.

There is also no reason to completely stress yourself out trying to do good things for others.

I know you want to make your parents proud, help your friends any and every way you can, build up your resume, succeed academically, volunteer in the community, spend time with those you love, explore the world, go on adventures, spend some quality time with Jesus, and be the best version of yourself, all at the same time. I know how draining it is to try and do all of those things (it was probably draining just to read them all), and I know that trying to do them all well leads to getting nothing done at all. Take the pressure off yourself. Breathe. Realize that the only one holding all of those expectations over your head, is you.

I'll leave you with this- If you have to drop the class because your mind is too overwhelmed and you know you can't be a strong student in that season, you aren't a quitter. If you have to cancel plans because you're exhausted from life, you aren't lame. If you have to call in sick just to give yourself a day to rest, you aren't lazy. If you don't make it to every event, game, hang out, extra credit opportunity, etc. you aren't a disappointment.

The best thing we can do for ourselves is know our own limits. If there are things in your world that aren't absolutely 100% necessary and they aren't filling you up, change them. If they are 100% necessary and they still aren't filling you up, change your perception of them. We have the power to control how we see, engage with, and manipulate our world- let's take advantage of that and do what we need to do to truly be the best versions of ourselves.

The world still needs you and all of your amazingness, so don't try to be everybody's everything and burn yourself out before you really have a chance to be on fire.

Just take care of yourself.

It isn't selfish, it's necessary.