Can we talk about something we seriously need to STOP normalizing?

Pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion just to say we got it done.

Because somewhere along the way, we've convinced ourselves that pushing through exhaustion is something to be proud of.

"I only got four hours of sleep, but I still made it to work."

"I'm still getting over this cold, but I'm going in anyway."

"I'm exhausted, but I have too much to do to take a day off."

And sometimes we say these things like they're accomplishments.

But WHY?!

Why are we celebrating the fact that we're ignoring what our bodies are clearly trying to tell us?

And trust me, I'm not pointing fingers. I'm talking to myself, too.

Last week, I had to practice what I preach.

I was exhausted.

Not just the kind of tired where you need an extra cup of tea to get through the afternoon. My body was telling me that I needed to STOP.

And normally, I would have pushed through.

Because that's what we do, right?

We have jobs to show up for, families to take care of, businesses to run, and people who are depending on us.

We don't want to disappoint anyone. We want to meet our deadlines, make our bosses happy, and prove that we can handle everything on our plates.

But at what cost?

Last week, I made a different decision.

I called out of work. I stopped posting. And I took a couple of days to recharge.

No trying to squeeze in a little work while I was supposed to be resting.

No forcing myself to create content just because it was on my schedule.

I listened to my body.

And you know what?

That's exactly what I promised myself I would do this year.

Your body will give you warning signs. Are you listening?

How many times have you noticed that something wasn't quite right but ignored it because you had too much to do?

You're exhausted, but you keep going.

You're having trouble concentrating, but you convince yourself to finish one more task.

You're more irritable than usual, but you brush it off.

You're getting over an illness, but instead of allowing yourself time to recover, you're already thinking about everything waiting for you at work.

We recognize the symptoms, but instead of asking ourselves what our bodies need, we start figuring out how to push through them.

And when we repeatedly ignore those warning signs, we're not doing ourselves any favors.

Chronic stress and inadequate sleep can affect our immune function, concentration, mood, and overall health.

Sometimes pushing through doesn't mean we're being productive.

It means we're running ourselves into the ground.

And what good is showing up for everybody else if we're constantly neglecting ourselves in the process?

Being exhausted shouldn't be a badge of honor.

I want us to stop treating exhaustion like proof that we're hardworking, dedicated, or successful.

Working through lunch every day isn't a flex.

Getting four hours of sleep and bragging about how much you accomplished isn't a flex.

Dragging yourself into work when you're sick just because you don't want your boss to be disappointed isn't a flex.

Yes, there are times when we have responsibilities that simply cannot wait.

I get it.

But we need to stop confusing dedication with constantly sacrificing our well-being.

You shouldn't have to run yourself into the ground to prove your value to somebody else.

And here's something else.

The work will still be there.

That email will still be there.

That report will still be there.

But will you be in the best condition to handle it?

One of the things I've learned is that I don't just want to show up. I want to show up at my BEST.

I want to have the energy to think clearly, make good decisions, be present with my family, and actually enjoy the things I'm working so hard for.

And I can't consistently do that if I'm constantly operating on empty.

And parents, our kids are watching.

This is the part I really want us to think about.

We tell our children how important it is to take care of themselves.

We remind them to get enough sleep, eat properly, and pay attention when they aren't feeling well.

We want them to develop healthy habits and understand that their physical and mental health matter.

But what are we showing them?

Are they watching us ignore our own exhaustion?

Are they hearing us brag about surviving on four hours of sleep?

Are we teaching them, without even realizing it, that being successful means pushing yourself until you have absolutely nothing left?

Because I don't want that for my children.

I want them to work hard, absolutely.

I want them to be responsible, committed, and dependable.

But I also want them to understand that taking care of themselves is part of being responsible.

I don't want them growing up believing they have to sacrifice their health just to make somebody else happy.

And that lesson starts with what they see us doing.

Remember that airplane announcement?

You know how they always tell us to put on our own oxygen mask before helping the person next to us?

There's a reason for that.

You have to take care of yourself so you're able to help somebody else.

Yet somehow, when it comes to our everyday lives, we do the exact opposite.

We make sure everybody else has what they need.

Our kids. Our spouses. Our employers. Our businesses.

And whatever energy is left over, if there's any, is what we give ourselves.

We need to change that.

Not because we want to become more productive machines.

But because our health matters, our families matter, and we deserve to enjoy the lives we're working so hard to build.

Here's my challenge for you this week.

Start listening to your body BEFORE it forces you to stop.

Pay attention to the warning signs.

If you're exhausted, ask yourself what can wait.

If you're sick, give yourself the opportunity to recover.

If you're constantly running on four hours of sleep, it's time to reconsider what you're prioritizing.

And if you're pushing yourself just because you don't want to disappoint your boss, your family, or somebody else, ask yourself:

Am I doing this because it genuinely needs to be done right now, or because I feel guilty about taking care of myself?

Sometimes the answer will mean adjusting your schedule.

Sometimes it will mean asking for help.

And sometimes it will mean taking the day off.

That's exactly what I did last week.

And I'm glad I did.

Because this year, I'm making a commitment to stop ignoring my body's warning signs just to check another item off my list.

I hope you'll make that commitment to yourself, too.

Now I want to hear from YOU. 👇🏾

When your body tells you that you need a break, what usually keeps you from taking one?

A. Work responsibilities and deadlines

B. Taking care of my family

C. Feeling guilty when I'm not being productive

D. Financial responsibilities or not having enough time off

E. Honestly, I don't even recognize when I need a break until I'm completely exhausted. 😩

Hit reply and send me your letter.

I'm interested in hearing what's making it difficult for us to prioritize our own well-being.

Because maybe it's time we stopped celebrating how much we can push through and started celebrating how well we take care of ourselves.

Talk soon,