This week I noticed two things I did that effectively managed my physical and mental exhaustion:
- schedule short, specific recovery blocks in my calendar
- schedule something I look forward to, preferably with people that energise me
Specifically, I have a 10-minute mobility and stretching night time routine in which I dim the light and cut off screen time. That really helped with physical and mental relaxation. I also have a “fun day” on Sundays in which I eat whatever I want (see how the Slow Carb Diet works here). I look forward to croissants, milk-based coffee and bbqs a lot.
It is no surprise that I’m a huge fan of planning. By scheduling things in, I make them non-negotiables.
Rest and play are as important as work.
Try it out.
Now, more type A personality-related mindfulness tips coming your way…
Today in 3 minutes or less, you’ll learn:
✔️ How to feel happier every day
✔️ How to start prioritising the things that truly matter
✔️ What Stoicism taught me about control and attachment
Doable ideas 💭
Try a joy audit.
At the end of each week, identify three small moments that brought you genuine joy.
Something that recharged you and brightened your day.
This trains your brain to notice positive experiences and helps prioritise what truly matters to you.
Reflections 🪞
Imagine you’re looking back on this year from your future self – what would you wish you had spent more time doing? What’s stopping you from prioritising these things now?
Mindfulness 🧘🏻♀️
For the longest time, I’ve been battling this mental problem of having attachment to specific outcomes.
It is truly the thief of joy.
It shows up on both my personal and professional lives:
- I want to have $X when I am 35
- I want to grow old with this particular person
- I want to live a certain lifestyle in X years
If you’re a type A person like me, you know how frustrating it feels to always compare where you are now with where you want to be.
You feel you’re never enough.
It affects our ability to enjoy the present moment or acknowledge the effort we’re making.
It took me some time to recognise this pattern showing up in different aspects of my life. And being as result-oriented as I was, I started doing something about it.
My biggest mindset change happened when I discovered stoicism and started using its practical wisdom in my daily life.
If you’re not familiar with it, stoicism is an ancient philosophy that teaches us to focus on what we can actually control, peacefully accept what we can’t change, and learn to know the difference between the two.
The stoic approach showed me something game-changing: **my attachment to specific outcomes is completely outside my control. I can control my actions, my efforts, and how I respond to things—but I can’t control the end results.
Here’s how stoicism is helping me rewire my thinking:
1. Focus on process over outcome
Instead of fixating on “I need to have X amount of money by 35,” I shifted to “I will consistently make wise financial decisions daily.” The former creates anxiety; the latter builds sustainable habits.
2. Practice negative visualisation
This stoic technique involves briefly imagining what life would be like without something I value; and the worst case scenario. Rather than making me pessimistic, it actually increases gratitude for what I currently have—reducing the desperate attachment to future outcomes. I also started coming up with strategies to minimise the chance of the worst case scenario happening.
3. The dichotomy of control
I began categorising everything into two buckets: what I can control and what I cannot. This simple framework has been revolutionary for my mental peace. Weather, other people’s opinions, market conditions? Not in my control. My reactions, my effort, my intentions? Completely within my influence.
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
– Marcus Aurelius
Ideas Worth Pondering 🧠
Many frustrations are the result of unspoken expectations. Before you get too annoyed, make sure you are clearly expressing your thoughts.
– James Clear
Video This Week 🎥
Feeling stuck in overthinking spirals?
This video might be exactly what you need right now.
In just a few minutes, I’ll walk you through a simple yet powerful reframing technique that can help you break free from mental loops and gain a fresh perspective when emotions run high.
This is especially helpful if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or mentally drained lately. It’s a tool I personally use during stressful moments, and I’d love for you to add it to your wellbeing toolkit too!
👇🏻 Watch it here: