Working from Rest

Avoid the overwhelm and

by Amanda Engelbrecht

Everybody knows how fast life gets busy, no matter how hard we try. As soon as you think you have it all figured out, another curveball comes your way. As a mom who homeschools, works from home and has been journeying with chronic illness, I have had my fair share of curveballs and frustrations along the way. Allow me to share with you the three principles which have helped save my sanity and work from a position of rest other than hustle.

But first, what do I mean by "working from rest"? Where work should not be hectic, rushed, or hurried. But strive to work from a place of peace and intention while keeping a pace and rhythm that gives you peace in your daily routine. My health, satisfaction with life, and even my family have improved since I started working from a place of rest.

The three principles I focus on are: Priorities, Schedule, Support. My life is guided by these principles that enable me to work from rest when I apply them. Priorities: Identify your priorities. What is important to you? What are your most important values? You would still be happy and content if you found these things intact despite everything else falling apart. Here are three things that matter to me:

Connection with my son. It leads to peace in our home, minimizes conflict, and minimizes stress for both of us.

My health. Everything else falls into place so much easier when I am in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape. Prioritizing my health, making sure I have time for all those mundane and more fun selfcare activities. From getting enough hours of sleep; to having time to do something original like reading or taking a walk on the beach, that makes life so much more manageable.

Meaningful employment. It's about meeting our basic needs while protecting my sanity.

Of course, it is not always possible to have a job that ignites our passions but, having a choice, I lean towards finding meaningful employment.

Have you ever just longed for life to be less busy? Less stressful? A little less of the frantic running from one thing to the next with barely a minute to spare?

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Avoid the overwhelm and protect your calm

Schedule: Plan your days Scheduling may be such a boring task, but it has been a lifesaver for me. Scheduling helps me use my time intentionally, protect my priorities, and save my sanity by not overextending myself. Routines and schedules allow me to avoid being overwhelmed, say no when necessary, and work at my highest level in all areas. I sometimes struggle with FOMO, but a schedule reduces the risk of spontaneously jumping into things and creating overwhelm.

I block out my days to dedicate certain times of the day to specific areas of life, according to my three priorities. Each Sunday, I look at activities that have come up or needs that have presented themselves, and I schedule things that need to happen over the next two weeks. Since I do this two weeks in advance, I usually look at the upcoming week, assessing whether adjustments are needed. It is fine when I need a few extra hours to finish a project or if my son has an upcoming activity, so long as no one priority is harmed in the long run. do anything. However, I need help. Honestly, though, of the three principles, this is the one I am still floundering in. But when I do it well, it relieves my stress and chaos and benefits my family too.

Support allows me to reach my full potential. It could be having someone take care of my son while I have a much-needed nap. Or a paid service to help with my household chores to reduce the load. When we reach out for help, whether through paid services, networks, family, or friends, we create a space where we can flourish, and we create a community of support around us that gives us wings to fly.

When I feel guilty, I remind myself that support rarely is one way. Often I am already offering support to others who can also support me in another area.

Working from rest is not an exact science, and life requires us to be flexible. My three principles help me keep life moving at a pace that suits my family and me. Hopefully, they will also assist you and your family find peace in 2022.