I believe that having unrealistic expectations is one of the primary culprits of mental health and relational health problems nationwide. I see people every day struggling with the increasing demands of today’s world. People work long hours, coach their child’s soccer team, shuttle children everywhere, care for elderly parents, participate in church and other community organizations, etc. etc. etc…

People often look at me and ask, how am I going to get it all done? My response: You won’t. We need to recognize that we simply cannot do it all. We need to find a way to be okay with that. We don’t have to keep up with what we perceive the Jones’s are doing. Let’s be realistic about what we can and cannot do. Don’t over-commit yourselves. We would all be happier, healthier, and more balanced if we simplified our lives by trimming our responsibilities and making personal and family time a priority.

-Jonathan Swinton