The Cost of Constant Doing: Returning to Yourself Through Small, Intentional Shifts
Liz Kaisinger 
Discover how releasing the old self, old expectations or ideals, and stepping away from constant doing restores balance, clarity, energy, and renewal.
The Cost of Constant Doing
Life can start to feel like a hamster wheel — rushing from one thing to the next, always busy but never truly fulfilled. Chasing goals, deadlines, and ideals, yet somehow end up feeling more disconnected from ourselves than ever.
We tell ourselves we’ll slow down when things calm down, but they never really do. The to-do list grows, the expectations pile up, and our energy quietly drains away.
The truth is: life is supposed to be fun. But when stress, pressure, and comparison take over, even the things that once brought joy can start to feel like chores.
At some point, we realize that the version of ourselves we keep trying to get back to — the “old me” who had it all together — doesn’t exist anymore. We’ve outgrown her. And that’s not failure; that’s evolution. Or maybe you're holding yourself to an ideal that doesn't exist, and never did.
The Myth of the Old Self
We often think transformation means returning to who we used to be — thinner, more energetic, more productive. But the deeper truth is that we’re not meant to go back.
We are meant to become new.
Every season of life shapes us. Every challenge, every burnout, every pause — it all invites us to meet ourselves again, in a new way.
When we stop resisting that truth, we open space for something softer, more sustainable, and far more alive.
Wellbeing Is Our Natural State
When we feel off — physically, mentally, emotionally, or energetically — it’s not a sign that we’re broken. It’s simply a signal that something within us is asking for attention and balance.
Wellbeing isn’t about perfection. It’s about alignment.
It’s about returning to your natural state of wholeness by bringing awareness to all parts of your being — body, mind, heart, and energy.
And that doesn’t require massive, dramatic change. It begins with small, intentional shifts in how you see yourself and how you move through your days.
Small Shifts, Big Energy
Over the past month, I’ve been experimenting with consistency — not in a rigid, all-or-nothing way, but with curiosity and play. I scaled some things back, made space for joy, and began to notice how much lighter life feels when it’s not all about performance.
Sometimes the most powerful transformation happens when we stop trying to do more and instead choose to do things with love.
Every morning, every meal, every breath can become an act of self-appreciation — a reminder that your time, your energy, and your peace are sacred.
A Seasonal Invitation
Fall is such a beautiful time to pause and realign. The world around us is letting go, slowing down, and preparing for renewal — and we are invited to do the same.
As we move toward Thanksgiving, what if gratitude became not just a holiday theme, but a daily practice of returning to yourself?
What if you could root deeply, grow mindfully, and thrive fully — simply by bringing more balance and appreciation into each area of your life?
The Balance to Thrive Wheel of Life
To help you explore this, I created the Balance to Thrive Wheel of Life, a holistic framework that helps you reflect on the different areas of your life and where you might want to bring more harmony.
Each “spoke” of the wheel represents a part of your wellbeing — physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and beyond. When one area is out of alignment, it affects the whole.
Here’s a glimpse of what this balanced life touches:
Physical Health & Energy: Caring for your body as your foundation for everything else.
Mental Health & Mindset: Cultivating clarity and self-compassion in how you think and speak to yourself.
Emotional Wellbeing: Allowing yourself to feel, process, and release rather than suppress.
Relationships & Connection: Surrounding yourself with people and communities that uplift and support you.
Purpose & Growth: Engaging in work, learning, and creativity that light you up.
Home & Environment: Creating spaces that reflect peace, warmth, and alignment.
Spirituality & Presence: Deepening your connection to what gives your life meaning.
Rest & Self-Care: Honoring your need for restoration, not as a luxury but as a necessity.
When these areas begin to balance, life flows differently. You feel more grounded, more capable, and more at peace — not because everything is perfect, but because you are present.
As you start noticing where you’re craving more balance, I’d love to help you turn that awareness into renewal.
Pause & Go Deeper
Join me for a live Art of Appreciation meditation and energy renewal activation on Wednesday, November 19 at 7 PM ET.
It’s a gentle 45‑minute experience to help you release stress, restore balance, and reconnect with self-appreciation.
When you register, you’ll also receive your free Balance to Thrive Journaling Guide — a set of 12 prompts to begin your reflection ahead of time.
Begin Your Reflection
I’ve created a free Balance to Thrive Journaling Guide with 12 prompts to help you explore your own Wheel of Life — a gentle, self‑paced reflection to help you root deeply, grow mindfully, and thrive fully by embracing balance in every area of your life.
When you register, you’ll receive your free journaling guide to begin your reflection ahead of the event.
✨ Come home to your center. Breathe. Reflect. Renew.
Register Here for Art of Appreciation Mediation and Journaling Prompts
Final Reflection
You don’t need to become your “old self” again — you’re evolving into someone wiser, freer, and more intentional.
This season, let gratitude be your way home.
Let balance be your foundation.
And let self-appreciation be the song that carries you forward.
-Liz
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all." Emily Dickinson