Hey Achiever! 

Life ever feel overwhelming?

Can I share something with you? I missed writing my blog post last week, and this weeks is going to be short... As someone who helps others set goals and create action plans, this might sound like I'm not practicing what I preach. But here's the truth - I was overwhelmed. Between work, the gym, family time, family obligations, and the never-ending to-do list we all juggle, something had to give.

And you know what? That's exactly what I want to talk about today. Its okay to take a break, and it can be simper than you think (even for the do-it-all type).

The Permission Slip You've Been Waiting For

If you're someone who's constantly giving to others - whether it's your family, your work, your community - you might feel like your own life is perpetually on hold. You know you should be working towards your dreams, but there's always someone else who needs you first.

I see you. I am you. And today, I'm giving us both permission to take a mental health break - with a plan.

Why Breaks Aren't Just Okay - They're Essential

When we're constantly in "give" mode, several things happen:

• Our creative energy depletes

• Our decision-making abilities suffer

• Our resilience tank empties

• Our own goals start feeling impossibly distant

This isn't about being weak or lacking commitment. It's about understanding a fundamental truth: meaningful achievementst requires sustainable energy and we have to prioritize.

The Difference Between Quitting and Pausing

Here's where many of us get tripped up. We worry that if we take a break, we're giving up on our goals. But there's a world of difference between abandoning your dreams and strategically pausing to refuel.

Quitting means walking away without a plan to return. Pausing means temporarily stepping back with a clear intention to resume stronger.

For example I have a streak on Duolingo, 698 days! I love a good streak because it is motivation, but they have a freeze option. Where you can put a planned freeze on your streak so you dont have to restart.  I have used this when I am going on vacation and the internet is not certain, or I want to be fully present to my family and not my phone. 

Some might say that is not a true streak, but I disagree!  A streak is meant to help you stay motivated and feel accomplished and when I see 698 days of learning a language, I feel committed to continuing.

Your 3-Step Framework for Effective Mental Health Breaks

1. Set the Parameters

Instead of an open-ended "I need a break" (which can easily turn into weeks of inaction), define:

• How long your break will last (an evening, a weekend, a week)

• What specifically you're taking a break from

• What you'll do during this time to genuinely recharge

For example: "I'm taking Saturday completely off from my business. No emails, no planning, no social media. Instead, I'll spend two hours reading for pleasure, take a long walk, and have dinner with my family without my phone at the table."

2. Use the Break to Realign with YOUR Why

Mental health breaks aren't just about rest - they're opportunities to reconnect with why your goals matter in the first place.

During your break, spend even just 10 minutes reflecting:

• What about my goal still excites me?

• Which parts of my approach might need adjusting?

• What one small step would feel manageable when I return?

Sometimes stepping away gives us the clarity to see a simpler path forward.

3. Plan Your Re-entry

Before your break ends, create a gentle on-ramp back to action:

• Choose ONE small, achievable task to accomplish your first day back

• Lower your expectations for immediate productivity

• Schedule moments to check in with yourself throughout your first day back

For instance, after my break, I didn't try to write three blog posts to "catch up." I started with this one post, focused on quality rather than quantity.

Celebrating the Small Steps Back

Here's where many of us miss a crucial opportunity: we don't celebrate our return to action. We beat ourselves up for having needed a break in the first place, or we expect to immediately perform at peak levels.

Instead, try recognizing these wins:

• You honored your need for rest

• You created a thoughtful plan to return

• You took your first small step back, however imperfect

• You're learning what works for YOUR unique journey

Each of these deserves acknowledgment because they're all part of sustainable progress.

Real Talk: It's okay to feel guilty..

You might feel guilty, but that is okay!  We all need a break and feeling guilty about not doing something you normally do lets you know that it is important to you, your values, your why.  

If it was easy to take a break and not think about it… that might not be the right thing that you are working towards.

Your Turn: Creating Your Break Plan

If you're feeling overwhelmed right now, I invite you to create your own mental health break plan:

1. Decide on the duration

2. Set clear boundaries around what you're stepping away from

3. Choose restful activities that genuinely recharge you

4. Schedule time to realign with your why

5. Plan one small step to take when you return

6. Decide how you'll celebrate taking that step

Remember: Taking breaks isn't a detour from your path to meaningful achievements - it's an essential part of the journey.

If you're struggling to give yourself permission to pause, or if you need help creating a sustainable plan for your goals that includes regular breaks, I'm here to help. Together, we can design an approach that honors both your dreams AND your well-being.

Celebrating your every win (including your breaks!),

Adrienne - Founder, Meaningful Achievements

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