Accept Limits
“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” — Anonymous
I can’t remember the first time I heard that, but it makes more and more sense to me every day.
I read it to mean that we all have our limits. There are only so many projects and commitments people (and cats) can tackle at the same time, and only so much pressure we can take before we crack! 
TIP: Whenever I feel like I’m drowning under a torrent of tasks, I’ll set aside my long to-do list and grab a blank Post It note instead. On it, I’ll write my three most important tasks — the things my gut tells me I should do — ignoring all the rest.
If that means the carpet doesn’t get vacuumed or the laundry doesn’t get done for another day or two or three, so be it, because…
Every little thing gonna be alright
When I look back on my worst days (I’ve had some doozies!), I think about all of the good days that followed them.
TIP: When times are tough, I try to remember that this too shall pass. Sometimes it really helps me to look ahead to a time after the obstacle I’m facing — after the deadline, the virus, the exam, the uncomfortable business meeting — a day, week or month down the road.
Stop and smell the roses
There’s a world of roses out there just waiting to be sniffed! 🙂
TIP: Whenever I see (or hear, smell, taste or feel) something beautiful, I STOP — maybe not in the middle of traffic — to take them in. Try to make time in your life for beautiful things.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
pinksoysauce says
September 15th, 2009 at 6:50 pmGreat advice!
That helps me prioritize my homework right now. 🙂
Or rather, put the shower first.
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:09 pmHi Pinksoysauce,
LOL! Maybe a shower will energize you… you’ll be able to focus more on your homework!
Hope you’re having a very nice night!
Catherine says
September 15th, 2009 at 6:51 pmThanks, Karen. I need this right now. =)
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… What’s in My Bag? Makeup Bag =-.
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:08 pmHi Catherine,
Glad to help. Big hugs to you!
shontay says
September 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pmThis is very helpful Karen. I am going through a trying time right now and I’m just trying to look ahead and be positive.
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:06 pmHi Shontay,
Hang in there, friend. 🙂 This too shall pass.
I’m sending you vibes of strength!
Blovet Beauty says
September 15th, 2009 at 7:10 pmI too forget to stop and smell the roses. thanks for this lovely reminder:)
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… JAPAN September ‘09 Part 1* Men* & AWARDS =-.
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:05 pmHi Blovet Beauty,
Sure thing, hon! Have a good evening. 🙂
Meghan says
September 15th, 2009 at 7:44 pmI love the post-it tip, I’m gonna have to try it!!
By the way, congrats on getting the condo!!! I hope things go smoothly for you with the move!
.-= Meghan’s last blog post… An Ode to Liquid Liner Pens =-.
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:04 pmHi Meghan,
Thanks, m’dear. 🙂
Post Its are a wonderful invention. Gotta love those little pieces of paper!
Solé says
September 15th, 2009 at 7:51 pmThis is very appropriate timing, I think for a lot of us. Thank you. 🙂
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 9:03 pmHi Sole,
🙂 You’re welcome. Hope you’re enjoying your time before classes start!
heyhey says
September 15th, 2009 at 8:41 pmPerfect post at the perfect time. Right now I’m a bit sleep deprived and drank too much coffee to make up for it… all in some effort to do 10 things at once. Time to hall out that post-it and SLOW DOWN.
Thanks!
Karen says
September 15th, 2009 at 8:59 pmHi Heyhey,
I feel ya on the 10 things at once. I read awhile back that trying to multi-task actually messes up your brain — I totally believe it!
Hopefully you’ll get some good sleep very soon. Tomorrow is a new day, right?
Marisol says
September 15th, 2009 at 10:27 pmSometimes at work when I feel like I have too much going on. I step away from my desk and go for a walk or to Peets for a treat. Sometimes just stepping away from the situation will help clear your head and that 15 minute break will refresh you.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… SoCal Visit =-.
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:29 amHi Marisol,
Good tip! I didn’t know you were a Peets girl. I love how it smells in there, but the coffee is way to strong for my blood.
Sonja says
September 16th, 2009 at 2:42 amGreat timing with this post! I’m completely stressed out but I keep in mind that there are more important things in life than stupid exams, and that if I can’t have or find a way to have fun during it, then why on Earth did I even start this all!
So I remember my high school latin- Durate et vosmet rebus servate secundis (Carry on and preserve yourselves for better times- Virgil) & Aut viam inveniam aut faciam (I’ll either find a way or make one).
Makes you think- people have been going thought the same s*** we have for a couple thousand years, right?
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:25 amHi Sonja,
Thanks for sharing those quotes. Both of them are going into my quote journal. 🙂
Eru says
September 16th, 2009 at 3:54 am“When times are tough, I try to remember that this too shall pass. ” How true and how easy to forget! I’m gonna copy that in my blackberry for the rough days 😀
.-= Eru’s last blog post… Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Tinted Moisturizer =-.
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:23 amHi Eru,
It’s a good thing to remember when you start freaking out. I also like to ask myself, “Will this bother me in a year?” That seems to take the edge off.
Stef says
September 16th, 2009 at 8:00 amThose are fabulous tips Karen. Can I add one?
When you are swamped, it’s really important to take breaks. When I am working like a fiend on something, I try to remember to walk away from it for 5 mins. every now and then. Walk outside (go smell some roses!), get a drink, stretch. It really helps you regroup. I can fall into the “I’ll just do this one more thing” mode and before I know it, it’s 3 hours later because the one thing turned into 30.
Hang in there everyone!
.-= Stef’s last blog post… Bobbi Brown Ivy League Collection – review =-.
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:16 amHi Stef,
Thank you for this tip. I often (like, every day) get trapped into thinking, “Just ONE MORE TASK,” and next thing I know my stomach’s rumbling because I forgot go eat, or I’m cranky because I’ve been staring at the computer for five hours straight. Taking mental breaks really helps to re-focus, for sure!
Ames says
September 16th, 2009 at 8:04 amExcellent post!
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:14 amHi Ames,
Glad you liked it!
Jill Mendoza says
September 16th, 2009 at 8:31 amGreat stuff, thanks for the great tips Karen
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:13 amHi Jill,
Sure thing, girlie. 🙂 How are ya? Having a good Wednesday?
Dao says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:03 amThanks, Karen! I will print this post out and keep it somewhere near.
.-= Dao’s last blog post… Makeup Reunion: L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup Liquid Foundation =-.
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:13 amHi Dao,
Happy to help. I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods!
Tavia says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:20 amHi Karen, this was a great article to read. Sometimes I hear in the back of my mind the same phrase ‘You can do anything, but you can’t do everything’ so I know what you mean. We are humans and not super-humans so we just have to take it easy on ourselves sometimes and not push us to hard.
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Review – La Prairie Age Management Eye Repair =-.
Astrid says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:21 amI can’t stop what I’m doing, even if it stresses me out… Actually I have often worked/studied so hard that I became physically ill!
Esp in the summers when I work 80-90 hours a week (hard manual labour, that is), I always end up sick at the end of the summer… Don’t do it! I must learn to say no, esp when it comes to making money. It’s just not worth it in the end.
Nancy says
September 16th, 2009 at 9:48 amThanks for sharing those words of wisdom, Karen! I’m having a bit of a tough time right now too (work, relationships, money, etc). So it’s definitely great to be reminded to think positively and that our struggles are only temporary.
Hope you’re having a good day!
YadiQ says
September 16th, 2009 at 10:15 amkaren this post couldnt have come at a better time for me !
thansk so much you are my saving grace
hugs
eboogie says
September 16th, 2009 at 10:20 amthanks for the much-needed midweek peptalk girl! there’s this gang of purple flowers that i’m going to stare out for five minutes today because of this post 🙂
.-= eboogie’s last blog post… Diorshow was a No-show =-.
All Women Stalker says
September 16th, 2009 at 10:39 amGreat tips, Karen. These made me smile. 🙂
-meream
.-= All Women Stalker’s last blog post… 7 Most Amazing Dresses from Chicstar.com … =-.
Shannon says
September 16th, 2009 at 11:16 amThanks so much, Karen! That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now. In addition to slowing down and not trying to do *everything*, it’s also a reminder to really strive to do those things that you want to do (i.e., I want to go to grad school!). Really accomplishing something does require sacrifice and focus, which you can’t have if you’re always doing a million things! Again, thank you. 🙂
Solé says
September 16th, 2009 at 11:45 amHi Karen. I really am trying to relax and enjoy this time, but there are a lot of things going on in my life right now that are kind of overwhelming, such as major family issues (my parents are splitting up, and trying to make me and my siblings take sides. Ugh!), hubby’s jobless situation and plans for a career change, an impending move in a few weeks (after school starts!), and trying to deal with all the duties and responsibilities that get tacked on when you borrow money from family members. I think once school starts, I’m going to spend the entire term in the library so I can concentrate on my studies and avoid thinking about my personal life! :\
sunmom says
September 16th, 2009 at 1:49 pmnice post…i have the same the kind of prioritizing you do whenever there are a load of things that needs attention.my husband just doesn’t get it and he would pick on the things i failed to do in a day…*sigh* anyway, your make up is always beautiful and i stop to ingest a lot of it while at work! 🙂
.-= sunmom’s last blog post… Project Beauty 2009: A Basic Makeup Workshop =-.
Karen says
September 16th, 2009 at 5:43 pmHi Sunmom,
Dudes just don’t understand sometimes. 🙂
What kind of work do you do?
Tiffany says
September 16th, 2009 at 6:33 pmWhat a great post! I love all the tips, especially the second one. I need to keep that in mind sometimes.
Marisol says
September 16th, 2009 at 8:12 pmI prefer Peet’s over Starbucks because their coffee is stronger. But they also have some very yummy teas.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… SoCal Visit =-.
Lana says
September 17th, 2009 at 9:23 pmThank you very very much for writing this. I just had an emotional breakdown at work the other day, and it really helps to remember to S-L-O-W down and enjoy what you have going for you. 🙂
PS- In conjunction with this idea, I called in “sick” today and spent the evening instead with my guy doing origami and watching the Big Bang Theory and playing with my pets. Wayy better than going to work! 😛
Kat says
September 19th, 2009 at 9:02 amI had such a crappy day ( one word: Teething) yesterday and I thought of this post! Thanks for the pick me up.