Why I’m Learning Not to Do Everything at Once

If I make progress by just one step today, that is progress too.

Yesterday was simply a difficult day. I did not want to take on too much at once, but in the end, that is exactly what I did.

I wanted to do too many things and had not really taken into account that my body cannot always keep up with me yet.

I had all sorts of things on my mind that I wanted to get done. Sort something out, do one more thing, and deal with other things at the same time. In my mind, it all seemed perfectly possible.

But it did not work out that way.

I forgot appointments. I had to call back four times to get the details of an agreement right. And while shopping, I forgot things and had to go back to the shop later.

Each of these things might seem small, but together they take quite a lot of energy.

Fortunately, I Have Good People Around Me

Fortunately, I also have good neighbours.

One of my neighbours apparently noticed that yesterday had become a bit too much for me. He invited me over for dinner. Not because I had to do anything, but precisely so I could have a break and would not have to cook for myself.

I really appreciated that.

It meant sitting somewhere else for a while, sharing a meal and giving my mind a chance to unwind.

Sometimes you need someone else to tell you: that is enough for today.

And perhaps that is something I am gradually learning during my recovery.

Take It Slowly and Don’t Rush

The most important lesson from yesterday is actually very simple:

Take it slowly and do not rush.

I do not have to do everything in one day. I do not have to be able to do everything at once, either.

Recovery happens one step at a time. And apparently, that applies not only to my recovery but also to the things I want to do every day.

Sometimes I simply want to do too much. I see something I want to do and think, “I’ll just get that done.”

But my mind and body do not always agree.

I need to learn to listen to them more carefully.

The Same Applies to My Homelab

I recognise that same feeling in my homelab, too.

There are always things I want to try. Change something on a server, learn something new, solve a problem or simply find out how something works.

In the past, I wanted to understand everything straight away.

Now I am trying to do things differently.

One thing at a time.

First, understand what I am doing. Then try it out. If it does not work, calmly look at what went wrong. And if necessary, stop for a while and come back to it later.

That does not mean I have become less curious.

Perhaps I have become even more curious.

I am simply realising that I do not have to do everything at once to make progress.

A Mistake Does Not Mean Failure

For me, that is an important change.

If something does not work, it does not immediately mean that I have failed.

Sometimes it simply means I took a step too quickly.

Then I can go back, take another look and try again.

That applies to technology, but it applies to my recovery as well.

Some days go better than others. Sometimes I can do a lot, and sometimes I have to stop earlier than I expected.

That does not mean I am going backwards.

It is simply part of the process.

And I Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Yesterday reminded me of that once again.

Fortunately, there are good people around me who notice when things are not going well. People who do not necessarily need to come up with solutions, but who sometimes simply say, “Come over for dinner.”

Those little things mean a lot to me.

Recovery is something I have to work on myself, but that does not mean I have to do it entirely on my own.

Today, Another Step Forward

Today, I am trying to take things slowly again.

Not everything at once.

No rushing.

Just seeing what I can manage today and being content with that.

Because I do not have to be able to do everything today.

If I make progress by just one step today, that is progress too.

And perhaps that is exactly what I am learning more and more through Wim’s Digital Playground: to stay curious, keep trying, and above all, remember to put the brakes on from time to time.

Do you ever find yourself trying to do too many things at once, only to end up getting less done? Feel free to leave a comment. I’m always interested in hearing how other people deal with this.

Know someone who might relate to this story? Feel free to share it.