05/26/2026
It’s been a whirlwind couple years with every area of my life demanding attention. From family to work to home, responsibilities fell like an avalanche, burying me underneath the weight.
I found myself on overload and spreading myself too thin to do everything well. Sometimes, we can’t control our circumstances, but occasionally, we have a say in how our life operates. I was tired of life controlling me.
I spent the past year participating in the SALLT (Salt and Light Leadership Training) Program and was surprised at how much it focused on me and what I needed to put into place to be a stronger leader: emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
So, for the past few months I’ve been examining and praying about a system that would be life-giving instead of life-challenging. One that gave me back some margin and was also God-honoring.
My thoughts led me to implement three habits that are gradually changing my life. It originally was five, but I thought, “There ya go, Shelley, creating a list that creates more work and attention.” I settled on three.
1. Honoring the Sabbath. Taking one day of rest to refuel, relax, and recoup has made a world of difference. I operated in the belief that I had to work all weekend to catch up with my “to-do” list. But in examining what God’s Word had to say, I realized a day of rest is mandatory. My mental health has improved significantly, and I find that God equips me to finish tasks during the week.
2. Saying no without explaining myself or feeling guilty. If someone asks me to do something or go somewhere and it’s not a priority or I don’t want to, then a simple no suffices. It’s okay to put yourself first sometimes. “No” is a powerful and empowering word. If no is too difficult, then try some alternatives: “I will pass.” “I’m not able to participate at this time.” “Maybe next time.”
3. Asking the question, does this fuel or drain me? If it’s a responsibility or task that depletes me, then can I delegate it to someone else, eliminate it, or reduce the amount of time I spend on it? If it’s an activity or job that fuels me, then I’m operating in my wheelhouse with my God-given talents. How can I devote more time to it? We can’t always offload things we don’t like, but maybe we can find a creative solution or ask for help.
Can I do all of these every day? Probably not. But can I adhere to them faithfully enough that it infiltrates and shifts my life? Yes, that is manageable. It’s been one month on this “three-thing journey,” and I already feel a shift—a difference in my attitude and how I handle situations.
What would be your three habits? If three are too many, then choose one. List it in the comments and let’s healthy habit together. Shelley Pulliam
