Flowing with the current, even when it's chaotic

In this episode, Stace and Ané chat about navigating life when everything feels like it's speeding up—especially towards the end of the year. If you've been feeling like there's not enough time, you're not alone. We talk about the chaos, the overwhelm, and how to deal with that constant pressure to "do more."

Stacey shares her mantra, "If it didn't get done today, it wasn't meant to be done," and how that's helping her stay grounded amidst the madness. Ané adds in the importance of switching up your non-negotiables and how sometimes, just taking a break and going outside can help reset your energy.

We dive deep into the importance of rest, being okay with not finishing everything on your to-do list, and why it’s crucial to let go of the idea that we need to be productive every second of the day. Spiralling thoughts and burnout are real, but they don't have to control you. This episode is full of tips on how to step back, breathe, and find balance—even when life feels chaotic.

What You'll Hear:

• Why time feels like it’s speeding up towards the end of the year
• Stacey’s mantra for dealing with unfinished tasks
• How to recognise burnout before it hits
• Changing your non-negotiables week by week
• Why rest is essential, not a luxury
• How to stop spiralling when life feels out of control
• Practical tips for grounding yourself and finding peace in the chaos

You can find Ané and Stacey on Instagram at:

Stacey - @barefootbranding
✦ instagram.com/barefootbranding
🌐 barefootbranding.academy

Ané - @mgmnt__
✦ https://www.instagram.com/mgmnt__/
https://msha.ke/anemgmnt

Visit us here: 🌐 trustingtheuniverseandshit.com
Email us: 📩 hello@trustingtheuniverseandshit.com

Intro music by Tyler Dixon

Transcript

Ané: 0:04

let's just also make it normal that you can change your non negotiables every week when we do talk about our negotiables, like make it fun

Stacey: 0:13

Where is our. Rest time in between all of those high notes, the goals and the, peaks of our lives were always going up but in order to grow up, we also need to come down.

Ané: 0:47

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Trusting the Universe and Shit. It's with me and Stace again.

Stacey: 0:54

Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us.

Ané: 0:57

Yes, we're so excited as per usual. We wanted to put it out there that is anyone else feeling like time is Just going so fast and that there's so much chaos unfolding and you'll just feel like you're floating and, and just kind of noticing all of this changed air.

Stacey: 1:22

Yeah. And. The way that I'm feeling at the moment is that it's rapidly changing. Especially as we ramp up into the end of the year. And I feel like there's this joke that always goes around the internet about January feels like about four months. And then it gets a bit quicker, a bit quicker, but by the end of the year, the last couple of months starts speeding up. There's something that happens, that everything just starts speeding up towards the end of the year. And part of me really enjoys that speed. Cause I, I find that I can coast on that speed and I feel like. Things are happening. But this time, I feel like it's true fast because I feel like I'm about to start a new client this week. And I just think I have no time to start a new client because the end of the year is almost already here. How am I going to get this even completed by the end of the year? How, how am I going to do that? It just feels like there's not enough time.

Ané: 2:19

Yes, not enough time is so perfect. And, you know, we've done a lot of work and we've really witnessed when we do have those moments of saying to ourself, we don't have enough time. we don't have enough energy, this and that. Like we know those excuses are coming up, but this isn't an excuse. This is actually like, Like, this is just the facts, we actually feel like we are saying yes to all of these opportunities and yes to all these things, but at the same time, holy hell, how are we going to, it's not even a, cause it's not a capacity thing. It's not like we can't hold it. We can, we have, and we do, but it's like, do I want to, can I like, is this, this is like really, yes, speed, energy, and it's like very fiery. Airy. Feeling that we're all just operating so high frequency, which is fun and exciting. And we love that. But at what point do we start getting anxiety and panic attacks?

Stacey: 3:21

I think something that's helped me recently is a mantra of, if it didn't get done that day, it wasn't supposed to be done. So I may have mentioned this before. But yeah, that's essentially what I'll say to myself. If it didn't get done today, it wasn't meant to be done today. And it really helps me to feel like. Ah, it's okay. I didn't have to have that done because I feel like there's so much, I want to get done from here through to end of December. And there's no possible way I'm going to get it all done, even though I really, really want to, but you know, the, the way that time is set up, Won't allow me to get all of it done by then and I have to be okay with that. And a lot of this is probably about just letting go, letting go of all the dreams and everything we had for the year too, because you think. I set goals and I did a vision board for this year and, you know, There are certain things that I didn't make any progress on, you know, in of those goals that I'd set.

Ané: 4:21

I'm so glad you actually brought this up to my, to my attention because, Exactly how I'm also navigating like safe snows is but I've been really diving into this new program and learning it and it comes back to that episode we're talking about being a beginner again, like I highly suggest listen to that episode it I think it's in the title being a beginner or something along those lines because it is really working. To have a set goal or task and then not have it complete. And it can be as simple as like automating this new email and this new platform or whatever. And I just feel so stupid, but I'm not, but it's just like really being okay of not completing all of those tasks in one day. And I'm so glad you brought this up because I feel like. This is the evolution. Like, this is how we still grow, even if it doesn't feel like we're growing, even though it feels like you're actually taking a step back. That's just your little, you know, saboteur mind coming along to really keep you stuck at where you're at, because it's actually in those moments where you're like, okay, I wasn't able to do that one freaking task I wanted to do And I still lovely, lovingly. Like accept and forgive myself and then do it the next day. And this isn't, you know, I'm saying that mantra because that's an EFT tapping that you do when you're trying to move through a fear or whatever. And I'm so glad you brought this up because it doesn't have to be learning a software. It can be as simple as launching some, not launching, but like, you know, talking to people on DMS or whatever, like it'd be as simple as just saying you're going to do a one task and then not being able to complete it or do it completely.

Stacey: 6:05

Yeah. So. The multitude of tasks that we put on ourselves. I always, I'm always telling my partner it's not normal. And he's like, I'm so tired. I'm like, it's not normal. What you're doing. You guys, what do you mean. Like, it's not normal. The amount of stuff that you have on your plate right now. And we forget, and we got all. Like, we're not robots. We're humans where. You know, part of the animal kingdom, basically. And we think we're supposed to be producing, producing, producing constantly all the time goals. You know, we're going to our goals. Where is our. Rest time in between all of those high notes, the high notes of the goals and the, the peaks of our lives were always going up would, but in order to grow up, we also need to come down. We need to come down because that's the music of life. It's not just. I'm achieving a goal. I'm achieving a goal of achieving a goal. Of course, you're going to lead to some type of burnout and putting all this pressure and expectation on ourselves for what we think we need to get done in a year. Yeah, because we told ourselves. That we should, or that's what we wanted for this year. And we feel like it's achievable, but. Sometimes we forget certain things like, you know, I had to move out of my house over the last couple of months. And I have not been able to do anywhere near as much work as I wanted to be able to do because of all of that. And those are unforeseen circumstances that pop up. And we have a lot of unforeseen circumstances that pop up, you know, mentally in our lives that our capacity levels. We feel bad and we think. You know, I should've gotten this much done. We lie in bed at the end of the day. And we say to ourselves, I really wanted to get all of this done and I feel bad because I didn't. But it's. It's such a negative way of looking at the way we live in terms of just looking towards the things that we wanted to achieve for the day.

Ané: 8:07

Hello?

Stacey: 8:08

Oh, you just froze for a second. So. I

Ané: 8:11

Yeah, because I, you, you got stuck, so I couldn't, didn't actually hear what you said the last bit at all. So

Stacey: 8:19

I was just saying that when we lie in bed at the end of the day, and we think back to everything we achieved and we often, you know, we go over it and we think haven't done enough. Or we think. I really should've done this. I didn't get this done and we feel bad. But at what cost, what cost are we feeling bad? Then we don't get proper rest because we're worrying about all the things that we need to have done.

Ané: 8:44

yeah, Yeah. we go through this like loop and this is like this vicious cycle and I'll like, we're spiraling essentially is what it is. Right. And I know like, generally, and it doesn't have to be. And I think that sometimes we think spiraling is like, Oh no, I don't do that. Like, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm, I'm coping with it. It's fine. But spiraling, because it can be as. as small as yeah, thinking and worrying and constantly like, you know, thinking of all the things you didn't do and just being so Contained with that negative energy. And so one thing that I have been really telling myself that is a non negotiable is going out into nature during this very heightened energetic state, because I feel like I've learned my lesson of burnout now, you know what I mean? Like let's, let's crush that. Like I don't have time BS because yes, maybe I don't at the same time. I right now, this is really nurturing. And so. And it's been really funny. I actually reflected about it the other day, and I was like pulling cards because I just wanted to do something fun during these moments of all our tasks and to do lists. And I just was like, let me just pull some cards. You know, burn some incense, just like play a little, like we need that playback. And I pulled a card and it said zoom out see the greater picture and it was exactly the message I needed because how many times when we look at our task list or all of the responsibilities that we have, we're just in this like zone of like, Gotta get this done. This is the only thing that's going to move things forward, blah, blah, blah, blah, but when you go for a walk in nature, like, and you're just, you expand your horizon, like, you're just a little speck trying to do it. Your best at the end of the day, and it's so okay if this thing doesn't get done today, you still have a week, you still have a month like the world's not going to end. And I think just having that little bit of shifting of finding time during your day to go sit on the grass to go close your eyes and meditate to vision yourself on this beautiful planet like just to do something that gets you out of this really, really spiraling cycle and into a state of breathing and grounding. I don't know. It's just has shifted my capacity to yes, hold more, but also be okay. And forgiving that. If I don't get that thing done, and I've noticed that even the people around me, like there's this permission slip that we can be like, you know, it is okay to be normal and go for a walk and go whatever, right? Like, like you're saying it, it's not, And not feel bad about it. Exactly. It's not normal for us to have all of these goals and tasks all the time and not get the support around us. Like, we are from tribal nature, like, so. It's, you know, we, we've got to really embody back that into, into our lives.

Stacey: 11:46

Yeah. And have that replenishment and the replenishment and not just be honest screens all the time and it being on our screen at work. And then what do we do? We go on a break and we get on a screen. And I feel like our neurons are being filed down to little nubs, because like you said, that expansion, then not having the neurons in our brain, that aren't having that time to grow and expand and go on little journeys of their own.'cause we're just pumping our face. We'll have this screen time. And another thing that I liked that you said was the non-negotiables, you know, what are your non-negotiables? And. Really connecting with those and making sure. That you stick to your non-negotiables. And, you know, an easy example of this is like how we brush our teeth. We brush our teeth every day. That's like a non-negotiable that we have that has become a habit. And then eventually. When we create new non-negotiables eventually they should become habits for us too, to be able to say to yourself, okay, I work for this song. I'm going to have a break or I'm going to go for a walk like you do. And St yourself. Yes, this is a non-negotiable for me. I really need this and not just pushing through and then. Oh, leading to that mega burnout of. Working for, I used to work sometimes for 12, 14 hour days. I don't know how I did that, to be honest now I don't know what I was doing. I didn't know what I was thinking. And the other thing that you said about spiraling doesn't have to be cause in my head, you know, I'm thinking spiraling is, you know, you're in, you're in the corner and you'll rocking and you're fully spiraling. Everything in your life has turned to. To, to shit and spiraling. I think doesn't go right. I don't think it needs to be that it can be just that thought on a loop. And it's just going round and round and round and round in your head, keeping you up at night.

Ané: 13:35

Yes, exactly. I love that. And I think, yeah, you really, we really have to, and I, let's just also make it normal that you can change your non negotiables every week. Like I, when you, when people used to say non negotiables and morning or evening, like rituals and stuff and routines, I was always like, okay, but I don't want to do the same thing for the next 30 years of my life. Like. Boring, you know what I mean? Like, I'm just not gonna want to meditate and my journal and do all of this stuff for the rest of my life every day. Yes. Once, once every week or, you know, a couple of days, whatever, I'll do it. But I need, I need the duality. I need like some new. Changes. And so I think for me, it's like, for me, I love my walks right now, but to next week, it might be in a depression, especially if you're a woman, like you're going to go through different phases, like I'm going to go in my luteal phase. I'm not going to want to have all the energy. I'm not going to have all the energy in the world to, you know, be very active. It might look like breath work or meditation or visualization, you know? And so. I kind of have a list of non negotiables and I'm like, which one should I do this week? And I find that that is really fun for me and it just brings back that playfulness. In between the tasks and deadlines and the, all this, this masculine energy that we put on ourselves, especially as women in business, like we have to prioritize the different seasons in our life. And even if you are in your summer season doesn't mean you're going to be full of energy all the time, like you're still going to want to play, but you know, maybe it's a way of. It's a very isolating way of doing it and that's perfect as well. So yeah, I think when we do talk about our negotiables, like make it fun and, and shift it up a little bit, because then I feel I actually have the same time available every single day, you know, like nine to 10, just, you know, my morning routine or whatever, but that looks like anything. And I think that is the routine part. That is that ritual that you want, but it can look different.

Stacey: 15:44

I think you made a really good point about the non-negotiable not being something that involves a lot of pressure around, because we don't want to create something where we're adding more pressure to our lives. Like, no, I must do this other thing that I've added to my to-do list, you know? So we don't want to compound it. And add that extra pressure. So maybe also it's. The non-negotiable is not necessarily a specific task. Like I need to go for a walk. I need to go to the gym. Maybe it's more in the category of something like self-care I have a non-negotiable for the day to do something nice for myself every day. Whether that's something small, you only have five minutes. And it's spending some time with yourself. Whether it's. You know, an hour, whatever you have time for, maybe that's the non-negotiable is that you take time out for yourself and you don't feel guilty about it. It's more that feeling rather than a specific task. So it doesn't become pressure pack, like you said. And. I wrote another note here that I can't read. Sorry, let's just move on.

Ané: 16:47

It wasn't it wasn't needed.

Stacey: 16:48

I it's not legible.

Ané: 16:51

Yeah, yeah. But I think like, at the end of the day, like what we really want to drive in is that if you are also feeling this very fast paced chaotic energy, the number one thing that is really Good for us to implement is taking care of ourselves first and foremost. And that's going to look very different. And I know people say, Oh, self care and self love and blah, blah, blah, but it can be as simple as, you know, making overnight oats the night before so that when you are. Busy. You still have some good food to eat the next day. It's looking after your vessel, your mind, body, and spirit in any way that feels nurturing for you. During these really fast paced time. And trust me, once you make time that first week and you see how easy and effective it is, it's kind of addictive. Like you kind of be like, I can't wait for next week. And what, you know, that five minutes that I have with my, and this is something that I've noticed with clients, like. Doing a morning thing on evening thing for five fricking minutes. It has been such a game changer for them because they're able to hold more, the capacity they can be around amongst the chaos, but it doesn't influence their life as much like, yes, shit comes up and it's a mishap. You know, they got a pivot, but it's not this like dysregulated intense state. They're like, Oh, that's pretty crappy, but you know, okay, let's move forward. And they have, they go into solution base so much quicker. And I love that because saying like, it's such a great feeling when you can get to that, we're not always going to be perfect of course, and get it right all the time. But that's just, I just feel like that's the best medicine during this time is like. Things feel really heavy, feel really intense, feel really chaotic. How can you ground yourself for five minutes a day?

Stacey: 18:41

Yeah. And the chaos I'm feeling like riding the chaos. As if it's a waterfall of some kind, it feels very chaotic, but I'm also allowing it to push me all the way down the river. And every day at the moment for me is, is a little bit. Chaotic. Not every day, but most days have been a little bit chaotic because I only just found my toothbrush. My electric toothbrush, I've only had the top of it. Yesterday, like I've after moving for two weeks. It's driving me

Ané: 19:15

is So funny.

Stacey: 19:16

there's little things like that, that I can't find because I moved in like two days out of my place. And so it, yeah, there's, there's some little things like that that have been driving me crazy. And I just was like, it's fine. It's fine. I will, it will, I will find it when I find it. And then I found it and I feel like when you get frustrated, This is not actually just a feeling. This is, this is recorded, like scientific. I can actually put up the graphic if anyone wants to see it, but. When you're very frustrated, your brain does not function properly. And when you're in more of a flow state, You know when you're comma, when you're able to allow and accept things as they are. Your brain will function better. So when you're really, really frustrated and things are chaotic and you're going, God, I don't know what to do. It's going to make it way worse for you because you're going to be allowing that. Frustration chaos to take you over. But I'm feeling like if we kind of just try and ride this wave of the chaos and just see. Maybe it will, it will be chaotic like a waterfall, but in a way that we can ride it and we can just go with it and then see, and things are speeding past. But we're like, yeah, I'm writing this, this may, could this be fun in some way? Could this chaos, could it. Could I be fun in some kind of way, you know?

Ané: 20:39

Yeah. I love that. That's so true, actually. And, you know, even logically speaking, like I have noticed exactly that, like when, Oh, I just had deja vu. How funny is that? I love when that happens. That's when, you know? when I'm getting frustrated with this new program and learning new things and blah, blah, blah, like go take a breather, go, go for five minutes outside, feel the sun on your skin, feel the grass on your feet. Yeah. Yeah. Breathe, have a cup of tea and come back. And you just have this new sense of awareness of, Oh, but I haven't tried that yet, or maybe this could be the case. So, and you just, it, it broadens that, like that horizon again, like what I mentioned, it's beautiful when nature can do that for you, it really does just show you that at the end of the day, like you are just another little, Organism on this earth and you're just playing along and I think that that is yeah a really great perspective shift for people if you are feeling a bit frustrated and I get it when you're in environments where it's harder to do but I do feel like we can yeah we can really practice that

Stacey: 21:44

Yeah. So I think, Yeah. there's a piece here about acceptance, accepting everything the way it is. And forgiving ourselves for not feeling like we have achieved everything. Maybe. That we wanted to, that we had on our list and letting some of that go and saying it's it's okay. For me to exist in this moment. Exactly. As I am who I am. And foot and having done what I have done because you're not your value is not within your ability to produce. I think capitalism has a lot to answer for in that. that. your worth is not tied to your ability to produce work.

Ané: 22:22

yeah beautifully said beautifully said I hope this was valuable you guys As always, please do leave a review or some stars. It really does help us and get us going and get some new, fun, exciting guests on, which we actually have in the pipeline. So that's really, really exciting. And yeah, as always, thank you for listening.

Stacey: 22:44

Yes. As Nia said, please leave us a review. We would be so excited to receive that. So if you have five minutes, Maybe two minutes, probably not going to take you that long. Yeah, please do leave us a review. We would love to hear from you. So if you could do that, we would love you for that. And thank you so much for listening and we'll see you on the next episode.