Have you become so accustomed to feeling stressed that you actually feel uncomfortable when you're not?

Perhaps you thrive on deadlines, fill every spare moment with something to do or find yourself feeling guilty when you finally sit down to rest.

But what if busyness has become more than a habit? What if it's become part of how you define yourself?

In this episode of The Curious Pause, I take a deeper look at our relationship with stress and explore why some of us seem to seek out the very pressures that leave us feeling exhausted.

I'm not suggesting that stress addiction is a recognised medical condition. It isn't. But I do think we can become so familiar with urgency, pressure and constant activity that slowing down begins to feel uncomfortable.

I explore the buzz we sometimes get from working under pressure, the satisfaction of being the person everyone relies on and why we can find ourselves creating more work even when we desperately need a break.

I also reflect on the expectations we absorb throughout our lives, particularly the belief that being busy means being productive, valuable or successful.

Drawing on my own experiences, I share how I've learnt to move away from constantly doing and towards a more balanced way of living.

Because sometimes the most challenging thing isn't finding time to rest. It's allowing ourselves to enjoy that rest without feeling guilty.

In this episode, I explore:

• 🧠 Why stress and pressure can sometimes give us a buzz.
• ⏰ How we can become dependent on last-minute deadlines to motivate ourselves.
• 💚 The 'Mum Martyr Club' and the habit of putting everyone else's needs before our own.
• 🏃 Why busyness can become part of our identity.
• 🌿 How constant activity can prevent us from recognising our feelings and needs.
• 🪷 Why slowing down can initially feel uncomfortable.
• ✨ The importance of awareness, acceptance and learning to simply be rather than constantly do.

Something to ponder

Imagine you've finished everything you need to do today.

No emails waiting, no appointments, no washing, no one asking you for anything.

You have an entire afternoon to yourself.

How does that feel?

Wonderful? Or does a little voice immediately start reminding you of all the things you could be doing?

And here's the question I'd really love you to ponder:

Who would you be if you stopped measuring your worth by how much you do?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Mentioned in this episode

Kirsten Sweeting Morelli, who has described stress as 'the new crack', a provocative comparison that invites us to question our relationship with pressure and busyness.

Dr Sara Gottfried, who has written about the 'Mum Martyr Club' and the tendency to put everyone else's needs before our own.

A gentle invitation

You don't have to change everything overnight.

Perhaps begin by noticing where your time and energy are going, what brings you fulfilment and what leaves you feeling depleted.

And remember, rest isn't something you have to earn. It's part of being human.

🎙️ The Curious Pause

The place to pause, listen and remember.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might benefit from giving themselves permission to slow down.

Until next time, pause, listen and remember.