I went for an early walk this morning, as I often do when I’m not swimming or working.

Which got me thinking …

Is it ‘just’ a walk to enjoy myself and the beautiful surroundings, or has it become ‘I have to make sure I get 10k steps in today’?

So many people get into a rut, where everything becomes a race or a competition.

It’s no longer just about overachieving at work, increasing speed, increasing hours, and trying to get to the top.

It’s also turning everything outside of work into a race or a competition.

It’s not just a walk, it’s preparation for next year’s marathon. It’s not just a coffee with a friend, it’s a business opportunity. It’s not just a family dinner, it’s a chance to show off the perfectly curated life on social media.

Have you ever noticed that?

So what can you do?

The answer is very individual, but a good first step can be to create awareness and ask yourself:

“Who am I competing against, or what am I running away from if I never allow myself to just be?”