Breaking Free from the Sprint Towards the End of the Year
It’s that time of year again; the final stretch before the holidays. A time of year when it can feel like you’re on a countdown and you’re just hanging on until a break. A time of year that can feel like a sprint towards the finish line. A time of year that comes with endless to-do-lists and when there’s never enough time in the day. When there is an underlying feeling of needing to tie up loose ends, rush through everything, when you are hopping from one task to the next and where your mind is always ten steps ahead of what is right in front of you.
But something I’ve realised is that while this mindset is perhaps magnified at this time of year, it is often a recurring theme throughout life as a whole.
It is such a common, and easy, trap to fall into…
“Things will slow down when…”
“I just need to get through this week and then it will get easier…”
“I just need to push through and then everything will slow down…”
“Once this is over, I’ll have time to relax…”
It’s a pattern that feels all too familiar; a belief that peace lies just on the other side of the next hurdle.
But here’s the thing….the finish line keeps moving.
Because what I’m sure you’ve noticed is that this is a never-ending cycle. When one milestone has been and gone, the next one will present itself. And to some extent, this is perhaps human nature. It is evolutionary. We are designed to look forward and reach for more. But I worry that perhaps it has been taken too far and we are so focused on what is coming next that when the thing comes that we had been wanting, we don’t fully appreciate it. We just jump straight on to the next thing.
How often have you hit a milestone, got through a difficult time of life, finished that big project, organised that event, got through a busy work period, made it through December, only to find the next milestone waiting in line? The mindset of “I just need to push through” traps you in a cycle. You might tell yourself that life will slow down after this, yet new challenges and demands will inevitably arise.
This constant sprint through life not only depletes your energy but also robs you of the joy in everyday moments. When you’re perpetually focused on what’s next, you miss what’s right in front of you. And over time, this way of living can leave you feeling burned out, disconnected and yearning for a sense of peace that seems forever out of reach.
So, how do you break free from this cycle, especially during the busiest time of the year?
The key lies in shifting your mindset. Instead of waiting for something to happen to feel calm, relaxed, peaceful or whatever else it may be that you’re longing for, I encourage you to actively cultivate that feeling now, even in the chaos.
Some simple, but powerful, practices are to…
Set boundaries with your time
It’s easy to say yes to every holiday event or commitment, but remember that your energy is finite. Prioritise what truly matters and give yourself permission to say no to what doesn’t.
Focus on one thing at a time
Multitasking provides an illusion of productivity, but more often than not, it leaves you feeling more frazzled and with a handful of half-finished tasks. Instead, fully immerse yourself in one task, give it your undivided attention and complete it before moving on to the next.
Let go of perfection
The holidays (and life) don’t have to be flawless to be meaningful. Embrace the imperfections and focus on presence and connection over perfection. Resist the temptation here to compare your reality with the highlight reel of someone else’s social media.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness, being present in the here and now, encourages you to focus less on chasing the future and more on appreciating the present moment. It’s about being fully immersed in the moment you’re in right now, finding joy in the small, ordinary things and cultivating a sense of contentment with the life you’re already living.
Recognise how far you have come
Take a moment to look back and consider how far you’ve come, whether that’s in the last few months, years or even decades. Because probably where you are now is actually what past versions of you wanted at some stage in your life. So how can you have got here and already be wishing this time away? Allow yourself to appreciate and feel proud of all that you have achieved.
Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude is one way to anchor yourself in the present. It’s about taking time to reflect and feel thankful for what you have, what’s going well and what you appreciate about your life. Gratitude doesn’t diminish your dreams for the future; it simply reminds you that you’re already living parts of them now.
