You Don’t Have to Do It All

Written byHelen Soutar

Helen is a strategist who specializes in Resilience. Mum to Harry and Kit who are both rapidly reaching the stage of looking down to her, she spends her days home educating and then escaping to her studio in the garden to work

27th October 2024

You Don’t Have to Do It All

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly rushing, trying to keep up with an endless list of responsibilities, only to feel like you’re failing at all of them? The pressure to “do it all” is overwhelming—and it’s a lie.

You don’t have to do everything. In fact, trying to do it all is often what leaves you feeling stuck, stressed, and exhausted. Let’s explore why that pressure exists and how to move past it.

The Myth of Doing It All

The idea that you can—or should—do everything is deeply ingrained in modern culture. Social media bombards you with highlight reels of seemingly perfect lives. Work and family pile on expectations. Somewhere along the way, being busy has become a badge of honor.

But the truth is, trying to do it all is a trap. It doesn’t make you more accomplished. Instead, it drains your energy and leaves you feeling like you’re failing at everything, even the things that matter most.

A New Approach: What If You Stopped?

Pause for a moment and imagine letting go of the need to do it all. Instead of juggling everything, what if you focused on fewer things that truly matter?

Here’s what might happen:

  • You’d find yourself less stressed and overwhelmed.

  • You’d have more time and energy to connect with people you care about.

  • You’d start noticing and appreciating the small joys that get overlooked in the chaos of busyness.

Shifting your focus can feel radical, but it’s not about neglecting responsibilities—it’s about doing fewer things better.

Prioritisation: The Art of Deciding What Matters

If you’re not sure where to start, try this simple exercise. Write down all the things currently on your plate. Then, ask yourself:

  • What’s truly essential? These are the things tied to your values or long-term goals.

  • What can I let go of? Be honest—some tasks may be busywork or driven by guilt rather than necessity.

  • What can I delegate or delay? Not everything has to happen right now or by you alone.

Turning these reflections into action will help you free up space for what’s meaningful.

Resilience: The Key to Doing Less, Better

Resilience isn’t about grinding through endless to-do lists. It’s about building the strength to say no, set boundaries, and focus on the things that align with your values.

When you prioritise, you give yourself the capacity to handle life’s challenges without burning out. Resilience isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Letting go of the need to do it all doesn’t make you less capable—it makes you more focused, more effective, and more connected to the things that really matter.

If you’re ready to break free from overwhelm and start living a life that works for you, take this quiz to uncover where your resilience needs a boost.

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