What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

This is exactly what you think it is, another cliche of a title. But wait, there is a catch. You see, sometimes what doesn’t kill you makes you wiser. December was one of those holiday seasons when I got to have a very slow two weeks. I struggled when my life slowed down. It felt odd being so busy, then all of a sudden everything slowed down. 

 To slow down, I worked on my arts and crafts. I made handmade earrings, bracelets, and I made a box from scratch. It was a good me-time that I needed.

Come January, I had a work trip that I needed very much. Traveling to different parts of Tanzania before delving into the busy bee work life. 

It took me falling ill for me to slow down again. My body knew I needed the break, but I cared about my work more. My body chose to say no. I felt like my body was defeating me, but little did I know, my body was telling me to slow down. 

So eventually, I listened. I worked from home, I allowed myself to have afternoon naps. I allowed my cousin to take care of me. I agreed to drink soups and whatever healthy meal I was advised to so that I can feel better. This is when I realized, even though I hated staying home, taking naps in the afternoon, or even eating healthy. I need all that for the next chapter of my life.

My body told me to slow down, because I kept pushing. My body was telling me it’s okay to slow things down, overworking doesn’t mean more happiness, more money or more joy. I am glad I listened to my body and I am now stronger because of it.

Random Acts of Kindness

It’s only Wednesday, yet this week feels like Friday every single day. It’s the kind of week where you just want to wake up at 9 a.m. because your body and mind are already on Saturday.

Unfortunately for us adults, there are reports to write, deadlines to meet, clients to satisfy, colleagues to collaborate with, and other stakeholders to align with.

Today, I found myself working from home—which I managed to do until 11 a.m., when the power went out. Left with a dying laptop and no internet, I had no choice but to drive to the office. Once there, I continued working while dealing with calls that required my immediate attention.

Demands were coming from every corner. I felt overwhelmed.In response, I retreated to my “hiding place”—silence—and agreed to everything being said. I had no energy left to argue, even if I knew I was in the right. My responses were: Okay. Sawa. I will do that. It’s fine. To the person on the other end, they must have been happy to avoid the feisty version of me, at least for once. But internally, I was one negative reaction away from bursting into tears.I felt emotional. No, it wasn’t that time of the month. It was just another day in the life of an adult.

Later, I went to my person, ready to collapse into silence without saying a word. I needed a hug. I needed peace. Seeing how distressed I was, he bought me a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of cake to cheer me up.That simple act of kindness changed my mood. It made me realize that sometimes, all we need is someone who says, I see what you’re going through. I have my own struggles too, but let me take a few moments to make your day better.

Lessons We Learn Along The Way

I recently attended my first live boxing competition. Growing up, I was always captivated by Mike Tyson’s matches and the adrenaline they brought. Watching this match as an adult, however, gave me some deeper reflections on life:

1. Fight for Your Destiny It might sound like a religious cliché, but I was reminded of Matthew 11:12, “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” That boxing match was a vivid illustration of this. Life requires us to fight for what we want—nothing comes easy. In two bouts, one featuring male boxers and another with female competitors, the outcome was the same: the fighter on the offensive ultimately won. Neither bout ended with a knockout, but after all nine rounds, the boxer throwing the most punches earned the victory. Life rewards those who take action, not those who merely defend.

2. Never Lose Focus Although we are promised victory in life—because God says we are more than conquerors—we must remain focused. Throughout the match, spectators yelled advice and opinions, but the boxers never lost sight of their opponent. They were locked in on the prize. Similarly, in life, distractions are everywhere. If we lose focus, even when we're ahead, we risk letting setbacks, delays, and stagnation creep in. Just as in boxing, when we lose concentration, our adversary gets an opening to strike. We can’t move forward if we’re stuck dealing with the same obstacles over and over.

3. Confidence is Key One bout featured an older fighter going up against a newcomer. It was the shortest and most surprising match—over in less than five minutes. The older man kept falling out of fear, essentially giving up without being hit. On the other hand, the newcomer, brimming with confidence, dominated. This shows how crucial confidence is in life. Sometimes, it’s not about what you know or even experience—it’s about believing in yourself. When we exude confidence, fear dissipates, and our opponents, or challenges, have no choice but to back down.

I hope these lessons from my time at the match with my best friend resonate with you too.

Xoxo,

Mamatembo Safari

How to achieve a balanced lifestyle. Tips for busy professionals.

 

Achieving a balanced lifestyle is a common goal for many busy professionals, yet it often seems elusive. The demands of work, personal life, and maintaining good health can feel overwhelming. However, with thoughtful planning and intentional actions, it is possible to create a more harmonious balance in life.

One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time. For many professionals, the lines between these two areas often blur, especially with the rise of remote work. By establishing specific working hours and sticking to them, individuals can carve out time for themselves and their families, preventing work from consuming all their time and energy.

Time management is also crucial. Organizing the day with priorities in mind helps ensure that both professional and personal tasks are completed without unnecessary stress. Many people find that using tools like calendars or task management apps helps them stay focused and on track. Prioritizing the most important tasks first and tackling smaller, less critical items later can lead to a more productive and less overwhelming day.

Self-care is another essential aspect of achieving balance. Busy professionals often neglect their own needs in favor of meeting work demands, but this can lead to burnout. Incorporating regular exercise, even if it’s just a short walk during lunch, helps maintain physical health and boosts energy levels. Eating balanced meals throughout the day is equally important, as it fuels the body and mind for sustained productivity.

Mental well-being is just as critical. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help reduce stress and improve focus. Taking a few moments each day to pause, breathe, and clear the mind allows professionals to manage stress more effectively and approach their work with greater clarity. Sleep, too, plays a key role in maintaining mental and physical health. Ensuring that the body gets enough rest each night helps to restore energy, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.

Social connections are another cornerstone of a balanced lifestyle. Maintaining relationships with family, friends, and colleagues provides emotional support and a sense of belonging. Regularly scheduling time to connect with loved ones, whether through a quick phone call or a weekend gathering, fosters a sense of community and prevents feelings of isolation that can arise from a hectic work schedule.

Delegating tasks, both at work and at home, can help reduce the burden on busy professionals. Learning to trust others with responsibilities, rather than trying to do everything alone, frees up valuable time for rest and relaxation. It also allows professionals to focus on higher-priority tasks that require their specific expertise, which can lead to greater job satisfaction.

Incorporating hobbies and leisure activities is equally important for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Whether it’s reading, painting, or playing sports, engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation provides a necessary break from the pressures of work. These moments of enjoyment contribute to a more fulfilling life and prevent burnout by offering a healthy outlet for stress.

Achieving balance is not about perfect symmetry between work and personal life. Instead, it involves recognizing what is most important in different areas of life and making deliberate choices to ensure those priorities are met. Busy professionals who can master this art find that they are more productive, happier, and better equipped to handle the challenges of both work and personal life. By creating boundaries, managing time wisely, and nurturing their own well-being, they can attain a more balanced and satisfying lifestyle.