Fight or Flight and Lions- Oh my!
There may be a cosmic shark coming to eat us all, but today, all I can really do is tame my lions.
The lions are the controllables:
• The pressure I put on myself.
• The habit of overextending.
• Saying yes when I mean no.
• Creating urgency where there is none.
• Turning every dream into a deadline.
• Taking on more than my plate can hold.
• Treating rest like something I have to earn.
• Craving and creating chaos every time life gets quiet.
This season of my life is less about conquering everything and more about not volunteering for unnecessary lions.
I thought doing less would give me more energy, but doing less showed me how tired I already was.
Sometimes when you live in stress for a long time, your body runs on adrenaline, urgency, and survival chemicals. When life gets quieter, those chemicals drop and the hidden exhaustion finally becomes noticeable.
Maybe your lions look different:
• People pleasing.
• Procrastination.
• Debt stress.
• Never feeling done.
• Staying busy so you do not have to feel.
• The voice in your own head.
Which Lion will you tame first?
Living with constant stress often triggers the body's fight or flight response, pushing us into a state of high alert where adrenaline and urgency take over. Many people don't realize that their nonstop busyness and pursuit of the next goal can be a subtle form of flight mode—a survival mechanism disguised as productivity. This chronic state can exhaust the body and mind, leaving hidden fatigue that only surfaces when life slows down. From personal experience, taming these inner lions means acknowledging the pressure we put on ourselves to do more and be more, even when it's unnecessary. The habit of saying yes to everything, creating false urgencies, or turning dreams into relentless deadlines often leads to burnout. Instead, setting healthy boundaries and practicing self-compassion helps break the cycle of compulsive productivity. It's important to recognize that rest is not a reward but a vital part of recovery and personal growth. Learning to be still and face uncomfortable feelings rather than distracting ourselves with constant tasks can gradually reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity. For example, replacing the need to stay busy with gentle mindfulness or deliberate pauses has helped many find peace amid chaos. Everyone's lions look different—whether it's people pleasing, procrastination, debt stress, or the constant voice inside your head. Identifying which lion roars the loudest for you is the first step in taming it. This process involves honest self-awareness and sometimes professional support, but the payoff is regaining control over your life and mental health. Remember, the goal is not to conquer all challenges at once but to stop volunteering for unnecessary stress. Embracing balance and slowing down can reveal how tired you truly are, allowing space for healing and true growth.
