How Are We Supposed to Handle All of This?

How? No, seriously. How are we supposed to handle all of this?

I’m supposed to wake up early. But not just wake up; I have to remember to pray because, you know, I love God, and I need Him to order my steps. But I also have to be productive, so I should wake up at 4:30am because that’s what successful people do.

Then, I have to drink water because hydration is essential. But I also need to use the toilet because my body is awake now. Then I have to bathe, brush my teeth, do my skincare, wear sunscreen, and find an outfit that makes me look put together but also comfortable, stylish, and maybe “that girl” because aesthetics matter, right?

Oh, and let’s not forget—I need to smell nice. But not too much perfume, just the right amount so I don’t choke people in the elevator.

I need to eat breakfast because skipping meals is bad. It must also be healthy because “your body is a temple.” Maybe I should eat oats. But wait, do I have groceries? When was the last time I went grocery shopping?

Then there’s exercise. Move your body, they say. Get your steps in, they say. Do I have time to go to the gym? If I go now, I’ll be late for work. If I go after work, I’ll be too tired. And if I skip it, I’ll feel guilty because “health is wealth.”

Then, work. Show up. Be productive. Hit your KPIs. Network. Upskill. Be a team player. Stay focused. Check emails. Reply to Slack messages. I have a LinkedIn presence, film for YouTube, and post on Instagram to maintain my presence because I am a social media manager, mentor, and content creator. Maybe post something insightful. But also, don’t let work define you. Find balance.

But balance where?

After work, I have to check up on my family. I have to be a good daughter, a present sister, and an intentional friend. I have to check in on everyone because “people make time for who they love.”

There’s the church. Serve God. Attend Bible study. Pray without ceasing. Serve in a department. Be active in the Christian community. Because “faith without works is dead.”

There’s social life. Go out. Attend events. Network. Make memories. Because you don’t want to wake up one day and realise all you did was work and sleep.

Then there are finances: save money, invest, have an emergency fund, pay bills on time, track your expenses, be financially literate, and make wise money moves.

Then, self-care—don’t forget self-care. Journal, meditate, go on solo dates, read a book, have a hobby, or maybe travel because “you only live once.”

Then, get enough sleep. But also wake up early. But also don’t be lazy.

And somehow, I’m supposed to do all this and not lose my mind?

How? How are we supposed to balance all of this and still maintain our sanity? Because it’s overwhelming. Every day, there’s something to do, something to plan, something to remember, something to fix.

And if you forget one thing, you’re “not serious.” If you drop the ball, you’re “not disciplined.” If you take a break, you’re “not ambitious enough.”

So I ask again—how? Because honestly, I don’t think we talk enough about how exhausting it is to be alive as an adult.

I don’t know how to end this, but that’s how I feel right now.

P.S:

I sprained my ankle, and at this point, I am grateful to God that I have legs because what my eyes and body have seen and felt in these past few days has shown me I don’t thank God enough for my body working well.