top of page
Search

Finding Yourself in the Chaos: The Power of Priorities & Presence

  • Writer: Csilla Szalkai-Szabó
    Csilla Szalkai-Szabó
  • Mar 23
  • 4 min read

There was a time when my life was non-stop motion. Work, household chores, taking care of my children, cooking, cleaning, gardening—the to-do list never ended.

And then, one day, I realized…


💭 I wasn’t truly present in my own life.


I was doing everything that needed to be done, yet I felt empty. And then came the guilt—how could I feel this way when I had so much to be grateful for? A loving family, a comfortable home, and a life we worked hard to build.


But gratitude doesn’t erase exhaustion.


That was the moment I knew something had to change. I had to stop running on autopilot. I needed to understand what I was spending my time on, what truly mattered to me, and how to make space for it.


If this resonates with you—if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything but missing something—this is for you. Let’s talk about self-awareness, mindful decision-making, and the power of knowing your priorities.


Why Priorities Matter More Than “Getting Everything Done”


Somewhere along the way, we’re taught that success means doing it all.

But here’s the truth:

👉 You don’t have to do everything.

👉 You don’t have to achieve every goal.

👉 You don’t have to meet anyone else’s expectations.


What you do need is to know what matters to you.


🚨 When you don’t set your own priorities, the world will set them for you. Society, family, social media, and external pressures will tell you what you should focus on. And if you’re not careful, you’ll spend years chasing things that don’t truly fulfill you.


That’s why self-awareness is power.


The moment you become conscious of where your time and energy go, you can take back control.


How to Reconnect with What Matters


🔹 Ask yourself: What do I truly want to spend my time on?

🔹 What gives me energy, and what drains it?

🔹 What makes me feel accomplished at the end of the day?


For me, this meant:✔ Prioritizing time with my family—but also time for myself.✔ Setting boundaries around work and household tasks.✔ Letting go of guilt when I couldn’t do it all.

And guess what? Nothing fell apart. In fact, life felt better.


It’s Okay to Do Less. It’s Okay to Rest.


Have you ever been told, “You didn’t do anything today”?

If so, let me say this loud and clear: That’s a lie.


💡 Resting is not nothing.

💡 Caregiving is not nothing.

💡 Household tasks are not nothing.


If you spent your day taking care of your children, managing a home, or simply resting because you needed it—you achieved something important.


Society often only values visible, measurable accomplishments—a finished project, a promotion, a new skill. But life isn’t just about productivity in the traditional sense. Resting, recharging, and caregiving are just as valuable.


👉 If today’s plan was to take care of your kids and you did it—you succeeded.

👉 If today’s plan was to rest and recover—you succeeded.

👉 If today’s plan was to finish one important task and let the rest wait—you succeeded.


Your worth is not measured by how much you do. It’s measured by whether you’re living in alignment with what matters to you.


Mindfulness: Being Present in the Life You’re Creating


When I realized I wasn’t present in my own life, I knew I had to start making conscious decisions about how I spent my days.


Instead of rushing through tasks mindlessly, I practiced being present in them.


Mindful work – Not just checking off tasks, but being engaged in them.

Mindful rest – Allowing myself to enjoy breaks without guilt.

Mindful moments – Being fully there when I spend time with my family, not distracted by my mental to-do list.


This shift saved me hours of stress and mental exhaustion. It also helped my daughter—she realized that by managing her time well, she had more freedom for herself and her hobbies. And that’s what productivity is really about—not doing more, but making space for what matters.


Your Priorities Will Change—And That’s Okay


As life changes, so do your needs. What worked for you five years ago might not work now. And that’s perfectly normal.


🛠️ Review your priorities regularly. Are they still serving you?

🛠️ Let go of methods that no longer fit your life. Productivity should be flexible.

🛠️ Give yourself permission to evolve. Your goals, values, and energy levels will shift—and so should your habits.


Your Challenge This Week: Define Your Priorities


Take a few minutes to reflect on these questions:


📝 What truly matters to me right now?

📝 What drains my time and energy without adding value?

📝 How can I create more space for what fulfills me?


Remember: You don’t need to do it all.You just need to do what matters to you.


💬 Reply and share: What’s one priority you’re focusing on this week?


Here’s to a life lived with intention, balance, and presence. 💛

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page