Have you ever felt busy? Really, really busy?
I stood in front of the fridge and stared at the calendar the other day. Yes, I still use a paper calendar, partly because I’m visual and partly because I just can’t seem to get 100% on board with the digital ones. (I love this one, by the way.) But there I stood, still in my pajamas, wondering how I was going to make all the things happen.
It just felt too busy.
Honestly, most of it was kids stuff, but that didn’t even matter. It was just the fact that there was so much happening. I’m the kind of person who likes down time. Empty calendar squares make me smile because it means I get to just be with my people. Because of that I’ve learned to be fairly intentional about our time.
I read books like this and this to help me create the space I need in my life to feel calm, centered, okay. I say no to a lot of good things because I would rather say yes to the best things. So when I stare at a calendar square that has no more empty space I get overwhelmed.
Resisting the urge to tear up the calendar I went about my day, figuring out all the moves like my son’s football playbook. But as I drove from one activity to the other I talked to God.
Why am I so busy? Am I doing something wrong? I don’t even know what more I can say NO to.
I waited a moment, expecting an answer, a solution to my busy. Instead I felt this response in my spirit:
You’re in a busy season.
Really, God?
It wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for. I have an affinity for seasons but I didn’t like the idea of this one. I knew better than to fight it, so instead I’ve been searching for ways to find peace in the middle of the busy.
1. Accept the reality that you’re in a season.
Fighting it only made me more anxious. As I learn to accept that things are busy and remind myself that it is not permanent I’m able to take a deep breath and keep going.
2. Talk to God.
I know it feels like there’s no time. But there is always time to talk to God because you can talk to Him anytime. 2 minute shower? Driving carpool? Waiting at the drive through? Just say His name. It helps.
3. Play music.
Pick something inspirational that will help your spirit feel at peace, even in the middle of all the busy. I love to listen to Bethel Worship free on Pandora. Find what works for you. Music can change the atmosphere (and attitude) of your heart.
Music can change the atmosphere (and the attitude) of your heart. Share on X4. Take a break.
I know, I know: there is no time. But look around and see what you can let go. Maybe the laundry never gets folded and people just take it out of the basket. Maybe you grab a rotisserie chicken so you don’t have to cook. Find little ways to let go and give yourself a break.
5. Make sleep a priority.
When you’re busy it’s easy to sacrifice sleep to get more done. In reality sleep is one of the things that will help you get more done. Set a bedtime reminder on your phone and get the rest you need. You’ll be a better version of you.
Don't miss these 5 Ways to find PEACE in a busy season. Share on XIn reality the list could keep going. But then it would just become more things to keep you busy. Try to incorporate a few of these things in your season of busy and see how you feel. If you are craving more time with God, I designed a five day e-course that will help. It’s free and only takes a few minutes a day. Check it out here.
Praying you find peace in the middle of whatever season you are in!
Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
Great tips! I am in a busy season as well, with a calendar full of doctor’s appointments that are not my own. As a caregiver, I crave downtime too. I’m saying no to time suckers and yes to whatever God has for me. Sometimes it’s taking my mom or sister to the doctor’s office, sometimes it’s asking my brother to take one of them. Thank goodness for brothers.
It’s great that you are finding ways to ask for help! It’s so important for caregivers! Praying for those perfect moments of calm for you!
Hey, Becky! These are great…thanks! The two that help me cope are recognizing it’s a season, and music. I absolutely love the holidays. This year we’re throwing in a trip to Disney World in with our daughter’s family right after Thanksgiving, after hosting my fam for our big gathering. My biggest quandry is whether to run the dishwasher or a load of laundry before we leave by 6:30 a.m. the next day. In the meantime, I’ll try to remember to wrap my arms and heart and head around my favorite time of the year, and find out if I can listen to Pandora (Instrumental Hymns) on the plane. Thanks again, and blessings!
That’s so exciting! I am one of those crazy people that tries to have all the laundry done before I leave so I don’t have to come home to ANYTHING! LOL I hope you have a wonderful time!
Even in the empty nest season, I find that it’s still quite busy. Sigh. I love blank spaces on my calendar too. Today was more that way–yay! So I’m getting to catch up on blog reading. I love your 5 ways to find peace even in our busyness…so I really need to get ready for bed and go to sleep. 🙂
Hope you had a great sleep my friend 🙂
Awww, Rebecca, I think we may be in the same season. Your tips are spot on. The one I’ve struggled with for years is getting enough sleep. I’m really, truly working on that one because sleep is so essential for our health.
I hope you find some empty-calendar-square days in the near future. In the meantime, just breathe. 🙂 Sending you a hug.
Thank you sweet friend! Sleep helps (and so do hugs!) Sending you the same!
I have read the same two books, both very helpful. Your five tips are very helpful. For me sleep is very important,it is extremely hard to function without enough on any day, but especially on an overwhelmingly busy day! God’s Word is the top thing that really centers me. Right now I am doing daily Scripture writing, verses on Cultivating a Quiet Heart. Just writing one a day on the daily page of my planner and seeing it as I go through my day is so helpful. It reminds me of Who is in control and fills me with renewed peace. It refreshes my soul. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love writing a verse a day in a planner. I have a seperate planner I use, but maybe I should make space in the one that sits in front of me all day.
Good advice and great encouragement here, Rebecca.
And just yesterday, I was feeling the deep weeds, but have been doing some thinking and praying with the realization that this is, indeed, a season, not a life sentence. God’s here and I’m grateful.
Yes! A season and not a life sentence. I love that!
Love, love, love this Rebecca! 🙂 Peace in the chaos is what I need! LOL
Pinned, tweeted, and will be sharing to the InstaEncouragements Facebook page.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thanks for all the fun shares, my friend! I hope we can encourage people together to find calm in the busy holiday season.
Busy is not in my vocabulary any longer – empty nest and grands are growing up. I don’t miss busy at all. Busy is a season for sure – a long one for mom’s!!!
It’s good to know that it is a season! Thanks for sharing your hope today!
This is helpful given we are headed into the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! These are always busy times (plus having three young kids just means things are busy in general).
Three kids sure do have a way of keeping things interesting!
Rebecca, I LOVE my paper calendar 🙂 These are all great tips to get through a busy season. I keep reminding myself that it is only a season, for a season, and the season will pass.
Amen to the seasons, my friend! And the paper calendar! 😉
Wonderful, timely suggestions, Rebecca. I especially love the first one. I think you and I are in different seasons in our lives (my kids have all grown up and left the nest), but we can be overly-busy in any season. What a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the time that God has given us! Thank you.
Yes! No matter the season there are things that keep us BUSY. But we can slow down with God’s help!
You are my calendar sister! We both love empty days! But yes, sometimes we are in a busy season and we have to make the best of it. Great tips. Music, talking to God, and breathing help me. Also listening to audio books in the car (helps me enjoy all that car time more.)
I love those ideas. And I’m learning the amazing power of breathing. I love the connection in the Bible between breath and the Holy Spirit too! So powerful!
Oh, how I needed this! I am right there with you on the empty squares. I get overwhelmed just like you when I see a full calendar. I just want to get in bed and hide under the covers. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Good company, my friend. Good company!
Great simple steps everyone can take. Keep calm and keep your sanity! I am now retired and busier than ever! LOL
Sanity is a wonderful thing!
These are great tips for finding peace in a busy season, Rebecca. Sometimes it’s just about being aware and intentional.
Being intentional makes a huge difference!
Lovely advice 🙂
Definitely learning to talk to God and keep that line of communication open 24/7 has helped me the most.
Yes, that open communication is key!
Making sleep a priority is the most difficult for me because I’m an early riser, and my family wants to stay up late and play games during the holidays. Thanks for the reminder (I can always nap!).
Naps are a sweet gift!
I like having downtime, too. I like nothing better than a day with nothing on the schedule. That means I can be present with people at home and I’ll have time to read and write. I can easily feel overwhelmed when a day is too full but more so if it’s like that day after day. So, I really appreciate these suggestions. Blessings!
We are kindred spirits indeed!