Surviving Ghetto Season

Getting your life back on track in the midst of feeling burned out

I think we can all agree: life has been ghetto lately.

I have been burnt tf out for many reasons and reached a breaking point a few weeks ago. It’s just that time of year. Between a squatter in my rental property, trying to buy a house, being a mother to a super active infant, working full-time, executing events, and building a software company, I had nothing left to give. My cup wasn’t just empty, it was cracked and leaking. Any attempt to refill it felt pointless, because I was depleted.

During therapy those feelings of helplessness started to creep back. In the middle of sobs I said, "I work too hard to be trapped in a life I don't like."

and boom. There was the heaviness and the weight I had been feeling: The belief that I was stuck in a situation that I couldn’t change was an anchor dragging me down.

If you know anything about emotional mastery, you know that your beliefs dictate how you perceive things and your perception is your reality.

I found the root of the problem and I had to take inventory about what needed to change. It was time for a life audit.

What's a Life Audit?

A life audit is when you take a good look at different aspects of your life to figure out what's helping you and what's holding you back. It's all about taking inventory and reflecting on your current commitments, relationships, and priorities. By figuring out what lights you up and what's draining your energy, you can start making choices that'll help you take back your life and find some much-needed balance.

An exercise I found helpful is the Wheel of Life, where you can rate areas of your life from 1-10. It will help you identify what areas are lacking and shine light on where you need to pour into yourself.

Check Your Commitments

After I do a life audit, it’s time to assess commitments. Ask yourself, "What have I said yes to that's cannabalizing my time and energy?” “What do I no longer have room for because of my previous commitments?”

We all tend to take on way too much, whether it's work projects, social duties, or personal stuff. Take a good look at each one and ask yourself if it lines up with your values and moves you closer to the life you really want.

Decide what you will say no to

Here’s your reminder: saying no isn’t selfish. It's about protecting yourself. Figure out what you need to say no to in order to make room for what you really want to say yes to.

For me, I realized I was getting most frustrated between 5-8PM and weekends. There is so much that is scheduled at 7PM that I often found myself skipping dinner, rushing to put the baby to bed, and trying to get back on my computer. And the fact is, all of it can wait. I can be present with my son, eat a good meal, and decompress after the work day. I will say yes to relaxed evenings and no to social outings on weekdays and late meetings. I’m saying no to last minute clients or “quick” lunch meetings that end up taking all day. I’m guarding my time viciously, because I easily overbook myself - then the introvert in me is pissed off. lol

Overwhelm is an indicator to take action.

Feeling overwhelmed can put you in a headlock, making it hard to take action. But let me tell you something, you have the power to change your circumstances. Break free from that overwhelming cycle by making deliberate decisions and taking small steps towards what you want.

Deadlines, finances, getting ready for the holidays, dealing with grief and frustration – it can make you feel like there's no time or energy left. Now is the time to take a beat and reclaim you power.

The question is: what do I want life to feel like and what choices (that are in my control) do I need to make to facilitate that?

Create a Life That Fits You

Take some time to think about your desires and dreams. What brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose? Use those insights to help you make decisions and shape a life that lines up with your values.

Overwhelm paralyzes. Decisions empower. Action changes things.

You got this.

Additional Listening from my podcast