Our last LA "Heart" event is June 29th! Kundalini Yoga + Heart Therapy! RSVP! → Check it out!

Do you have a hard time managing it all?

January 11, 2013 by 35 Comments

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support yesterday.

All the comments, emails and reactions really filled my heart with Love. And it’s so cool to see so much support from the TDL Community!

You are truly a Light in my life and I am so grateful for you!

It’s been an interesting journey up here in Ojai. Disconnecting from L.A. for so long had brought up a bunch of stuff for me. Yesterday it was the guilt around unplugging and then later in the night I started to experience a lot of self-doubt.

Why?

Well, as I have been writing, I have not been working out as much and I’ve felt my body start to revert and go backwards from all of the progress I’ve made with it.

I had a mini-freak out.

If you know anything about me, you know that one of the things that has been a lifelong challenge for me has been my weight and fitting into a healthy body. I have a lot of negative body image/body dysmorphia type stuff going on – and it’s a constant challenge.

I’ve taken a lot of awesome leaps lately, and so in my freak out I started to focus on the positive. I haven’t had a cheat day in four weeks. I haven’t had sugar in about the same amount of time. Those are huge strides for me.

I am a total sugar addict and taking it out of my life has been a game changer as I have written about a lot lately.

I also reached out to my support network and confessed that I haven’t stayed on my exercise and specific diet program and hit up my trainer. He helped to remind me that it’s a process and that I need to be patient with myself.

Patience is not my skill – it’s still something I’m learning about.

So, today I have recommitted to my exercise program. I believe I can do that and finish the book at the same time. Next week is going to be a really crazy schedule with the exercise, teaching my online course, mentoring my clients and writing a book, but this is where the power of scheduling really comes into focus.

It can all get done – if it’s scheduled.

So, today as I write, I’m nailing down my schedule through the end of January to include writing blogs, mentoring, exercise and writing my book.

It may not seem like a lot, but when you add in running a company, andorganizing a team on top of it all, it’s a lot.

And I am not complaining; I am grateful. These are quality challenges.

But they are challenges nonetheless.

I really know that when I am eating super healthy food, taking care of myself, exercising, meditating and writing, I feel my best.

It’s amazing how I can get in my own way and mess up the things that I know make me feel the best.

But that is the beauty of the transformational path – it’s a constant learning opportunity for more and more awareness.

Do you have trouble keeping it all together? Work, exercise, creative expression and eating right?

What are your challenges and what are your solutions? I’d LOVE to know!

As always, the action happens in the comments below. Leave a comment and join the conversation! The TDL Community thrives in the comments and it’s a GREAT place to get support!

Love,

Mastin

###

Mastin Kipp is the founder and CEO of The Daily Love. Follow him on Twitter here.

Take what resonates with you in this blog and leave the rest.

  • Dee

    I’ve always struggled to manage it all…but on the flip side it has been these experiences that have helped me to grow. Can’t believe you struggle with body image / dismorphia, I have for years too but everyday do something to help with that and it’s getting less and less prominent. Eft tapping is my latest craze! By Jesus though, it has been working for me. I must say you are doing pretty well if you can go on television & be photographed with Miss Oprah! Don’t be so hard on yourself there friend!

    I’m with you 100% on the daily eat healthy, exercise & meditate. If I have fallen behind a few days I make sure I drink around a litre of filtered lemon water (warm) in the morning before food. This helps me to feel cleansed & back on track, def try it! It also gives me a sense of getting back on track.

    A wise friend once said to me (and it was someone with a HUGE life that I was really inspired by) ‘bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it.’ This is how I try to structure my life now a days. It’s the best way to move forwards ;-)

  • wackyreddreamer

    Work, exercise, relationship, friendships, family, appointments… I’m even using my free time reading literature on how to achieve balance and still I have not found relief and balance in my life. I am looking forward to hearing from many of you about this topic. I fear for my health because my body often takes on the stress that I try to tackle through getting “it all done”. *Deep breaths* 

  • Anna

    Hi Mastin, your blog hits me straight in my heart. Thank you so much for sharing! The reason: your honesty about your challenges. This week has been a great challenge to myself as well. I felt some strugle and felt unsure about my company, that is still in the phase of the start. The doubts were made bigger by myself. My own thoughts create the positive aspects in my life, but also the negative ones. 
    By accepting the fear, the anxious thoughts and the doubts, they dissappeared in my case. Today I give extra attention to ‘feeling the Now’. By that I notice that I jump back in the positive aspects. The doubts dissappear, people react positively, my dog is relaxed and I receive nice emails for my company.

    Be nice to your body. Feed it with lovely food and enjoy! I am looking forward to receive another daily love. 

    Big hug, Anna (from the Netherlands)

  • Cara

    Hi Mastin, I actually just wrote about this kind of challenge in my first ever blog post yesterday (www.carafeys.com). It truly is a process…we all have times when we slide on some of the goals we have, and it’s important to recognize that we just pick up and go on when we can. It’s so important to be compassionate with ourselves, because beating ourselves up over perceived failures will not help us move forward. Thank you so much for sharing and for your daily inspiration!

  • Jsche

    Mastin, Wayne Dyer says I AM which means a piece of God so affirmation I AM perfect health, I’m perfect book, I am perfect schedule, and whatever perfect you want.  Remember, it’s not you it’s serving others.  You don’t need to write volumous blogs for the next week.  All we need is THE DAILY LOVE.  Come on Mastin, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE U

  • Talia

    Mastin—Please read–

    We are expected to “do it all” and “be it all”, so yes, it is hard to balance life. However, I do my best to make time for exercise, sleep, and some socializing because these ENABLE me to do my work BETTER. I feel rested, energized, fulfilled, and overall, BALANCED. I know how tempting it is to put allllll of your energy into 1 thing all day because you think you will be more productive, but the fact of the matter is you are a human BEING and you need to acknowledge and treat all parts of you: body, mind, and SPIRIT. I think when you “see” all parts of you, it help prevents freak outs. You are a professional at scheduling and budgeting your time, so I think you can treat all parts of yourself and still finish your book, especially if you approach it with the mentality that exercise invigorates your mind and body, which will help you be productive when writing, and sleep clears your mind and strengthens your body and will help you focus better when writing, etc. :-) All my love and support,Talia

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1204415497 Travis L Thomas

    Mastin – you are speaking my language ;)

    My routine right now is to get up by 6am every morning – and get out of the house so that I can get in at least 3 hours of uninterrupted work before my three young kids get up. Then, I am able to come home and be present with them, my wife, and tend to their needs.

    Throughout the day I will steal more time when I get it – and then hunker down again at night. But, there never seems to be enough time in the day. And, when bills are screaming to be paid, and I am watching a business grow…very very slowly…it can be pretty scary!

    So, making the most of my time has turned into the discipline of asking God, the Universe, Love…

    “Love, what do I need to do right now?”

    And then I listen to see where I am inspired to go. Yes, I schedule, and I need to. But, in the heat of the moment – I try to turn things over to Inspiration – and it always brings peace.

    Namaste brother!!!

    Travis
    http://www.yes30.com

  • AZ

    Like most people, I struggle with balancing it all.  I have two small children now, which makes the balancing act even trickier than it use to be. At times, I have to prioritize my priorities…meaning, some priorities have to take a back burner some days to others. For example, if my child is sick, maybe I have to skip or limit my meditation for the day.

    Life happens, and when you’re living a dynamic life, life happens a lot. Sometimes I think these obstacles present themselves as opportunities to sit with how we are treating ourselves. We are human beings, not human doings, and speaking for myself, I do not want my life to amount to a bunch of task lists. I think the richness and depth of life can be lost when we allow our list of personal obligations to take us out of the present moment. I would much prefer to attend to my priorities with a quality of practice vs. haphazardly rushing myself through a task because another one is waiting for me.

    Ultimately, if I fall short of my own expectations, the question for me is in whether I am sitting in discernment when I recognize I need to get back on track or if I’m just sitting in judgment of myself. If I’m kicking myself or feeling anxious, I’m in judgment, which is not the spirit I want to be motivated by. If I’m feeling drained or not in alignment with myself, then I take that as a sign that something very relevant to my priorities is being neglected. Then it’s just a matter of acknowledging that I need to saddle up and get back on that horse. It’s a subtle shift in perspective, but it is a meaningful one for me.

    I’ve been a hard-ass about getting stuff done most of my life, but I’ve come to recognize that a kinder and gentler approach suits my Spirit and my life better (and the lives of those around me). This may mean I don’t keep up with the pack in the manner that I use to, but in many respects, I don’t want to.

    • tc

      I loved this. Great response xxxxx

    • Kk

      Love this. I am also a mom and I have always struggled with my weight and realized it was less about rigidity and planning every moment and more about feeling my body and trusting the flow of the Holy Spirit (or God or however you want to say it). I realized this more when I went to this Dr. who put me on a plan; I felt great but all I could think about was my next snack and I wasn’t fully present with my kids and I started to see things like baking cupcakes with my daughter as bad because they have simple sugar in them. Seriously? God has given us such abundance and we can enjoy it as long as we don’t abuse it. In my opinion, health is much more about laughing, loving, and using your gifts and talents to help others than it is about a particular routine. Be engaged in life….alive in its fullness. Shame and guilt produce energy lows that are way worse than a sugar low. Once you take away all the rules and really feel the moment, your body and inner guide know the unique plan for you.

  • sunshine

    Mastin, you said it. I am so having trouble with it all. Just being present to my 4 year old girl is a challenge in itself. She is at the point where she just wants to play with Daddy 100% of the time, not me. I am so unable to keep it all together as a person with history of trauma, sexual and verbal abuse, ADHD, LD, depression ans extreme anxiety exercise and diet are so crucial to holding it together but with a bad back and a high need child that demands you(when she doesn’t want you) it’s all amazingly tough. Thanks for being honest 

  • Celeste

    Ask yourself this (and think deep now!): What key concepts motivate you?

    For me, it’s: social exchange, giving back and sharing the experience.

    My lifelong challenges: Creative expression and exercise. The desire is there — but not the discipline. A target event to craft for or an exercise buddy get me going.

    Karate-kick that perfectionist/critical voice; high five every achievement! (“No, I didn’t do my 50 sit-ups today; but today, I ate no meat & walked for 30 minutes. Ha!)

    And get your groove on. Play music. Loud & proud, baby!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=572879612 Liz Saari Filippone

    Yep, I sure do have a hard time managing it all.  I’m in the process of transferring my massage license from California to NY State.  It’s worse than applying to college.  Form after form, not just for me to fill out, but my previous massage school and the California Massage Council to verify out-of-state licensure, plus more.   I’m frustrated, angry and sad.  I have a need for recognition, support, and to be seen.  I know in my heart that it is what I want to do; however, it’s bringing up A LOT of stuff I don’t know what to do with.  I’ve been getting lots of emotional support, but I feel I need to dig deeper.  (It also could be from that cranio-sacral session I had a few days ago ;-) Ha!)  Why does this set me off? Why can’t I just go with the flow? 
    You spoke about patience, and I totally resonate with it. I’ve got none!  But one thing I realized is, do I have to rush this process, and is it even possible?  The answser “no” came to me last night as I was sitting in the bathroom crying; and it some relief came to me.   Yes, I want to get out of working in an office, but I know it’s a huge financial support for me right now.   What is this state of urgency? As Jedi Yoda says, “Meditate on this, I will.”
    Thanks for your post, Mastin!!! :-)

  • Vicki

    Thank you for sharing your challenges. It helps remind me that we all can be our worst enemy. Your ability to pull through the negative and reach out and grasp the positive inspires me. Keep on shining! You are making a difference :)

  • Mommypone

    Hi Mastin, I was just telling a friend that I need time management classes! I am 46 years young, married and have an 8 year old. I just graduated from college and for some reason it feels like I never have enough time! I put on a lot of weight in my last 3 years of

    school. The irony is that I have always worked out (struggled.w/weight too) and.tried my best to stay in shape. My degree is in Exercise Science! But now that I am home, I can’t get motivated. It seems that everything else gets in the way (ie.. Dishes, laundry, dinne , etc) I think the guilt of not being around or not being 100%present during my studies is what gets me!
    I have picked up a planner and block out times and fill in my day or week, including my meals! I. INTEND on that working. I have lost 5 lbs. this week! I will keep you posted! Good luck Mastin! Remember, anything that is a burning desire within, the universe will materialize it. It has to, it’s the law! It’s how I graduated with honors!!!

  • Kerrymcd

    I am a 3rd grade teacher. With everything that is expected of us, we have to be multi-taskers. This has worked okay for me in the past, but the group of kids I have this year, need me to be present. I knew they were struggling by their grades and test scores, but I didn’t know what to do about it besides the obvious teacher things until I saw your episode of Super Soul Sunday. What really spoke to me is being present. My heart, my inner voice, God seems to be telling me that if I am truly present, I will be able to get everything done. Now to just trust ….

  • Bonnie

    “Managing it all” is BY FAR the biggest issue I struggle with. I have a million dreams, I want to do at all, but the minute I focus all my attention on one thing and things start going great with that aspect of my life, I realize that other aspects of my life that are important to me start to suffer. Then, I beat myself up about it—it’s like I’m in a constant state of unbalance. The only thing that helps is being super strict about scheduling my time, but I’m not sure that’s how I want to live my life either.

  • Dyanna

    Mastin, you are amazing and your honesty with all your struggles is inspiring to me!!  So many times when someone is your position they are not honest about their struggles and just expect you to follow their model. Thank you so much for that. You make me see that we all human and we able to achieve whatever we set our mind to!  Keep writing I cannot wait to read your book!
    Love to you, Dyanna

  • Urbanmommy

    Hey Kipp! I am so glad that you have found new focus on your diet/nutrition. I am also a Sugar addict and I started a new program last week.  I have to tell you that after the first week of not eating cake, cinommon buns, etc, I feel so much more energized and my body doesn’t crave it as much. I’m also staying away from all the other stuff that make your body want more sugar, like diet sodas. Wish you luck!

  • Akilah_noel

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY …. MASTIN & EVERYONE WHO HAS COMMENTED !!!

    I always feel like I can’t get enough done in a day which leaves me feeling like I have disappointed everyone including myself. All of your comments give me hope !!!!!

  • Elizabeth Foreman

    Mastin, Your honesty is so endearing.

    I find I feel the most overwhelmed when I am trusting in MY abilities instead of God’s. The illusion instead of the truth. It’s my ego at play with me, tricking me into thinking I AM my body/mind, which is a lie.

    I feel the most powerful when I am balanced. This includes eating healthy and exercising and Meditation and writing my book/blog. We all have unique challenges in our lives but God doesn’t give us more then we can handle and to whom much is given, much is expected.

    When I am craving sugar it is either my Soul craving sweetness (self-love) or as I learned recently (from Jillian Michael’s via Ally on Ellen :) when late at night.. it’s my body’s way of telling me I am tired and need to go to bed!

    I was Bullimic for 18 years, so I understand having a poor body image. What helped enlighten me most was the book “Intuitive Eating” which re-taught me to eat as a toddler does.

    Marianne Williamson says “Go for God, and all that is not authentically you will drop”. I believe God/Love is the answer for everything.

    God Bless You, Elizabeth

  • http://www.fitchickseatcheese.com/ Kim

    Love that you’re always putting yourself out there!!! What you are doing is bold and I so respect and appreciate you for that – Keep It Up!

    What I’ve come to know is creating/managing healthy and realistic expectations, especially our own, is the key to being happy. All to often many of us set a goal, often unrealistic, and then set out to achieve it with enthusiasm and gusto only to stumble or fail and then feel defeated. Let the pistol whipping begin! Now I embrace the journey, not just the destination and I’ve also come to EXPECT setbacks and stumbling as part of the process. This approach makes it a lot easier to get back on track because I’m not mired in the frustration of failure….

    XO,
    Kim

  • Paul

    Hi Mastin,
    I’m new to your sight.  Just read about your impatience and your freak out yesterday.  I can relate with the whole “fitting into my body” issues you deal with.  My question is, what is your payoff for freaking out?   Why do you go there (there’s got to be a reason that makes you feel good in that moment or you wouldn’t go there)?   How would it feel to be patient with yourself and how different would your world be if you could be?   Just some food for thought.  Patience is one of my biggest problems, always wanting it done NOW.   Looking forward to reading more on your site.  Thank you for your sharing and your being authentic!   -  Paul

  • Therajoyce

    I definitely struggle with this very issue. Most of the time, I won’t start things because I don’t know where to start, or don’t have the time to finish the thing I’m trying to do.  I came up with the idea of scheduling stuff on my calendar as a solution too.  I’m an independent hair stylist, so I’m blessed with being able to work when I want to (so I work once a week at the moment), but the problem is, I haven’t been getting any of my other goals done on my down time.  I’m going to start scheduling things on my calendar to help me with this.  I feel like if it’s scheduled, then I have to do it.  I’m hoping this will help me keep a regular schedule while at home, and hopefully make some much needed progress in my life. 

  • http://www.are-you-there-kathleen-its-me-god.blogspot.com/ Kathleen Reynolds Chelquist

    Funny, I just wrote about exercising on my FB page before reading your post (love when that happens). Anyway, I am a Dental Hygienist, and just yesterday I had a patient who motivated me sooooo much that by the end of the appt., I was showing him my Billy Blanks Moves (Chicken kicks from my Tae-Bo videos of the 90′s). He was motivating me to….start Marshall Arts. I was laughing because imagining myself walking into Chuck Liddell’s “THE PIT” was…well…not where I thought I would EVER be. Never say never, right? I told my hubby last night, and I think…I turned him on. Anyway, I hear that it is great for Osteoporosis (yes, I am getting that old) and an AWESOME work-out. He said, that I was perfect for it because I had the confidence (surprised he noticed), and then he said…I see you…helping people there. Now, mind you, I had only told him that I was a writer on choosing Love, not Fear. I know the Universe was working right through him. Knock, Knock! So, this girl (with very little muscle definition), just might become a “bad ass” too. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? I would sincerely love feedback on this sport, if you have any. Thanks.
    The Daily Commenter,
    Kathleen
    are-you-there-kathleen-its-me-god.blogspot.com/

  • http://twitter.com/ErikaManifest Erika M

    Hi Mastin! I have pieces in place that make a whole, and I dont see them separate from each other. It is a routine, but one that supports me in every way. Meditation, Breakfast, Juice, Exercise, Create, Break, Meditate, Socialize & Love, Read (optional), Meditate, and Rest.
    When I see your article about exercise vs writing, I dont see them as separate things, but as the whole of who you are and how you support and nurture yourself. You can do it all! The Ego might say otherwise, but we know The Truth ;)
    Thanks for all the love you always share. Sending some right back at cha!
    xo
    Erika

  • Angela Moccia

    Mastin – we are on the same page. 

    I need to constantly remind myself that I feel my BEST when I am putting nutritious and clean food into my body, getting enough rest & down time, meditating, have a regular exercise routine and feeding my soul creatively. It is a journey, but I am enjoying the ride and always eager to learn more. 

    Thank you for sharing and for your authenticity.Namaste, A

  • Binhng195

    Mastin I love u brother! 

  • Danielle

    Thanks Mastin. This totally speaks to me. I appreciate your sharing. xo

  • Jessicah Pratt

    Until recently, I had the problem of trying to juggle everything and feeling like I was failing huge parts of my life.  Then I had a switch of realizing that worrying about those things wasn’t going to get them done any faster.  I do schedule things now that I’d like to accomplish and I have a list of four big projects that I look at to remember what I’d like to get done.  Most importantly, I no longer worry about it. Taking the stress out of the equation makes it that much more fun to get up and do yoga, to work on creative projects, to write, meditate, and exercise because I do it not from obligation but from a sense of fun. I used to workout everyday, twice a day and it was only until seriously injuring myself that I realized how “not fun” it had become. Now when I have blocks of time, I go, “oh, I could workout, or write, or even read a book.” And I’ve gotten SO much done already in 2013. Also, LOVING the layout of the site. Thanks for sharing as always.

  • Suzie

    Happy Birthday! I am still singing the “Toys or Us” jingle and I am turning 61. Keep helping us Love and Play!

  • Soliveira91

    Have a Happy Playful Birthday Mastin

  • Samantha

    Hi Mastin! Last year I did a similar sabattical to you… I rented a cabin in Ojai (love the Farmer’s Market!) to focus on my music. I found that physically taking myself out of Los Angeles, where I was a perpetual “Yes” Girl, gave me the chance to isolate my own sound and write some songs that were dying to be written.

    I was really grateful for that experience and am so happy to hear that you took a leap to separate and hone in. I know how indirectly exhausting LA can be, so I feel you!

    Good luck and thank you for sharing!

  • Jjbarlas

    Happy Birthday Mastin, it is my birthday too!!

  • Sandi Foundas

    Yes…More Play Please!!  :)  

    I loved all that you wrote here Mastin.  At 59 (what?!) I feel like I’m getting more childlike too…

    I wish you the happiest of birthdays!  THOROUGHLY enjoy your day. ~*~*~*~