Sometimes we can’t help feeling behind.
Sometimes your to-do list feels longer than your day, and you’re almost panicked trying to catch up.
Emotional performance coach Natty Lewis shared four strategies to help you feel calm and in control.
Understanding the Feeling of Being Behind
Natty explained that many women feel perpetually behind, but often can’t articulate what they’re behind on. She shared an example of a young mom who felt she was always behind but couldn’t define what her day should look like if she were ahead. Natty said, “We can’t find what we can’t see. We don’t even know what we’re looking for.”
Identifying Expectations
Natty emphasized that the feeling of being behind often stems from undefined expectations. She asked, “Who set the expectation?” and pointed out that many of these expectations are internal rather than external.
“It’s not the to-do list. It’s not the laundry pile. It’s not the grocery shopping. It’s a feeling,” she said.
Redefining Identity
Natty discussed how women often define themselves by societal standards, especially in roles like motherhood. She encouraged women to create their own definitions. “Stop taking on the world’s definition of motherhood,” she advised.
She shared her personal experience of showing up as a drama mom in her own unique way, saying, “I wasn’t behind. I was just me.”
Embracing Intentionality
One of Natty’s key messages is to live intentionally. She shared a story about a mom whose two-year-old takes 45 minutes to dress himself, making her feel behind. Natty suggested that instead of sticking to a rigid schedule, mothers should focus on being intentional and nurturing. “Maybe I’m not behind the world schedule… maybe that day the only thing that needed to be done was that my two-year-old needed to know that I was with him,” she emphasized.
Starting the Day on Purpose
Natty’s top advice for anyone feeling behind is to “wake up on purpose and wake up for you.”
She recommended a simple five-minute routine to start the day intentionally. “If you’ll start it on purpose, you’ll live it on purpose,” she said. She encouraged women to ask themselves, “How do I want to show up today?”
By redefining expectations, embracing intentionality, and starting the day with purpose, women can feel more in control and less overwhelmed. As Natty put it, “You’re not behind. You’re actually right on time and exactly where you should be.”
For more advice from Natty, you can find her on Instagram at @natty.o.lewis or visit ascendeq.com.
Add comment