What Happens When We Forget Ourselves

A few years ago, I found myself completely burnt out.

It didn’t happen suddenly.....it crept in slowly through the constant yeses, showing up for everyone else, and believing that if I didn’t do it, no one else would. I spent so much time worrying about what other people would think about what I was doing, how I was doing it.....that I slowly drifted further and further down my own list of priorities.

At first, it just looked like being “busy.” Productive. Reliable. The one people could count on. But underneath, I was exhausted, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on that chapter again, because I’m seeing the same story unfold in the lives of so many women I speak with from clients to friends, and even family. Different circumstances, same thread. They’re running on empty but still pushing through, thinking they can rest once things “settle down.” But the truth is, life rarely settles down on its own.

The Illusion of “Busy”

Somewhere along the way, being “busy” became a badge of honour. We wear it like proof of our worth, as if the fuller our schedule the more valuable we must be.

But here’s what I’ve come to realise: busyness is not the same as purpose. It’s often a distraction from the deeper truth.... that we’re scared to slow down, scared to be still, scared to ask ourselves if the life we’re racing through even feels like ours.

The constant doing becomes a mask for the discomfort of being. And while “busy” might make us feel accomplished in the short term, over time it quietly drains our joy, creativity, and connection, both with others and with ourselves.

Shifting the Narrative

So, what if we changed what we celebrate?

Instead of wearing “busy” like a badge of honour, what if we started honouring something else entirely?

It’s time to shift the badge from “busy” to “aligned.” To stop proving your worth through doing and start embodying it through being.”

✨ Imagine if the new measure of success wasn’t how much you get done, but how aligned you feel.

✨ Imagine moving through the day with intention rather than speed.

✨ Imagine honouring your energy instead of overriding it.

✨ Imagine creating space for what truly matters instead of filling every moment just to feel productive.

What if we celebrated the woman who chooses space over stress? The one who pauses, not because she’s lazy, but because she's wise and understands that clarity and calm are her true power sources.

That’s real leadership. That’s self-respect.

Remembering Yourself

When you begin to remember yourself, to prioritise your needs, honour your limits, and give yourself permission to just be, you stop living on autopilot. You come back to life.

The smallest shifts make the biggest difference:

✨ Saying no when your body says no.

✨ Scheduling white space in your week and protecting it fiercely.

✨ Allowing yourself to rest without guilt.

These moments are where you reconnect to your truth. Where your energy replenishes. Where you start to feel like you again.

Because when you forget yourself, the world around you feels heavier. But when you remember yourself, everything lightens.

Your relationships soften. Your patience returns. Your joy expands. And the ripple effect touches everyone around you.

A Gentle Invitation

So, beautiful soul this is your reminder: You are important. Not because of what you do, but because of who you are.

You don’t need to earn your rest. You don’t need to prove your worth. And you certainly don’t need to wear “busy” like a badge, to matter.

You are already enough. And when you start honouring that, the world begins to mirror it back to you.

You don’t have to wait for the world to slow down.....before you do.

Reflect & Reset

Ask yourself this:

Where am I still wearing “busy” as proof that I matter and, what would shift if I chose alignment instead?

Take a moment to sit with whatever comes up. It might be the beginning of something deeply freeing.

Ready to Take This Reflection Deeper?

So, as you move forward, I hope you give yourself permission to slow down, realign, and remember that you matter too. Maybe this is your sign to give yourself space to pause....not someday, but now.

Because when you begin to honour your own needs, the world doesn’t fall apart, it falls into place.

💌 If this message resonated, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me anytime at yoursanctuaryspaceinfo@gmail.com or over on Instagram @your_sanctuaryspace

With love and a gentle reminder that you matter,

Tania xo