Do you live a peaceful, placid life? Are you immensely grateful for days when nothing went wrong? If you didn’t seem particularly noticed as a child, you may opt for a life where you are well-known and people recognize you wherever you go.
Perhaps you’re drawn to drama in your relationships and friendships, never truly knowing if they love or care for you at all. How do you feel on calmer days when you simply don’t have much to do? You can take that long, hot shower, savor your coffee, and just sit on the porch reading that book you never seem to get around to. The bad news is that the doctor told me to give up coffee. The good news is that I found a new doctor.
But seriously, social media may encourage you to be driven, to constantly travel, or to keep up with the latest trend. After all, it’s been said: By the time I figure out what a trend is, it has already been retro, ironic, dead, and buried for six months. And speaking of trends: Fashion is just wearing clothes that look ridiculous today until everyone else wears them and looks ridiculous, too.
Perhaps it’s time to simplify your life instead. Just maybe, enough is enough. Your brain needs to digest the many experiences you ingest. As they say: Funny how the “cell” in cell phones isn’t just a name. It is literally like having a slot machine in your pocket.
Life is much more manageable when you take that much-needed break. Look at your schedule. Do you have a host of meetings, unending laundry and food shopping, not to mention all the guests and social obligations on your calendar this coming week? Then again, they say: Life is too short to fold fitted sheets or wear matching socks.
But truly, take care to keep things simple, sweet friends. If you do not take this seriously, you might be headed toward mental collapse. What registers as anxiety is no strange phenomenon. It is your mind’s way of begging you to stop being overly stimulated.
You may want a lot of friends and tons to do in your life, but that can be exhausting and unhealthy for your well-being, ultimately. You need time for yourself. Recognize that it is not feasible or psychologically plausible to manage your household, work, and your active social life and simply do it all without taking time to “just be.”
These incessant demands on us can literally contribute to a meltdown. Be honest. How sleep-deprived are you? Parent sleep is like regular sleep, but without the sleep. Don’t aggravate your sorrows through exhaustion.
What do you actually take in when you check your phone for the umpteenth time? It is the mental equivalent of junk food. Yes, there is such a thing as too much news. Constant, maddening political updates may actually be a risk to your mental health.
Do you need a break from the break you’re taking? I get it. Do not fill your mind with the latest cataclysm or disaster. Believe it or not, there may be a time when you need not know certain things. Your fragile mind need not know every dismal, dispiriting tragedy that you can do nothing about.
You need to conserve energy to lead your own life rather than constantly be torn apart by the horrors of the lives of others across the globe. Indeed, be informed and empathetic, but do carve out chunks of time when you can sift through the chaotic contents of your own mind.
Make your life goal to simply stay kind, compassionate, and sane, sweet friends. A simple life is not one of resignation or submission. You may be surprised by what awaits you away from the spotlight.
Your phone should improve your life, not become your life. Go ahead and take that well-deserved break. I dare you.
Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Woodmere. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Appointments are available throughout the week and on weekends. She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
