Do Less, Feel More: A Simple Shift for Busy Parents

On a video interview this week, I was joined by my friend and colleague, the lovely Kylie Ryan. Kylie is the founder of My Mind Coach and one of Australia’s leading coaches in weight loss, health, and wellness.

Recently, Kylie came to me as a client after finding herself yelling at her child... something that surprised and upset her. This was her before and after our session.

When she asked what advice I have for busy parents, I responded without hesitation. It’s the same advice I’d like to offer you as we head into the holiday season...

Do less and feel more.

It may sound strange at first... but it makes a profound difference to your daily life.

Think about this time of year.

Do you have a party or several to attend?
Gifts to buy?
End-of-year tasks to finish at work?
Food to organise and shop for?
Catch-ups with friends to arrange?

All of these are things to do.

But how will you be as you do them?

Will you be:

• Appreciative

• Peaceful

• Loving

• Grateful

• Still

• Forgiving

• Thoughtful

Research from UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Centre found that regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain. It makes us healthier... and happier.

Because life, at its core, is about feeling.

Whatever we’re doing, we’re chasing a feeling.

Think about what happens when your child opens a gift. The look on their face brings you joy, love, excitement... or perhaps a deep sense of fulfilment.

Or when you catch up with a dear friend... and you feel connection, belonging, warmth.

It's never really about the task. It's always about the feeling it gives you.

So what happens when you flip the focus?

What happens when you prioritise how you feel over what you do?

It might look like:

• Giving yourself permission to simply watch your kids play

• Taking a moment to feel grateful for the work you’ve done this year

• Appreciating the creativity of the people behind the products you see in the shops

• Connecting more deeply with a friend in the middle of a group catch-up

• Enjoying a moment of stillness during the chaos of hosting

Because at the end of it all, what we feel... and what we help others feel... is what truly matters.

As Maya Angelou said:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This season, be intentional. Choose how you want to feel... and let that guide what you do.

Want a calmer, more connected family holiday? Stressed to best parent is a method I’ve created to help you discover simple ways to shift from doing to being amongst the chaos of daily family life. Here’s to your doing less and feeling more.