The Art of Doing “Just Enough” When You’re Feeling Awful
We’ve all been there. Your throat is scratchy, your nose has declared mutiny, and you’re pretty sure you’ve forgotten what energy feels like. Meanwhile, your to-do list is giving you the side-eye like, “Excuse me, did you forget about us?” Here’s the truth: life doesn’t stop just because you’re sick. But that doesn’t mean you have to power through like a hero. Enter my favorite survival strategy: the art of doing “just enough.”
Redefining Productivity (Sick Day Edition)
On a normal day, productivity might look like knocking out 37 emails, meal-prepping a week of lunches, and finally folding that mountain of laundry. On a sick day? Productivity is keeping your child alive, answering one work email, and making sure there’s some form of food available — even if it’s just toast. Honestly, lowering the bar can feel like freedom. The laundry doesn’t have to be folded. A clean basket of clothes counts as a win.
How to Do “Just Enough”
At Work
Reply only to urgent messages. Everything else can wait.
Shortcuts are your friend: canned responses, quick replies, and “let’s circle back later” are golden phrases.
Delegate where you can (and if you can’t, delay with grace).
With Family
Screen time? Absolutely. That’s what the family room tv is made for.
Dinner doesn’t need to be fancy. Cereal, toast, or microwaved mac and cheese all qualify as “chef’s specials.”
Ask for help if it’s available — tag in your partner, the grandparent, or even uber eats.
At Home
Prioritize only what will keep chaos at bay.
Dishes in the sink? Maybe.
Deep cleaning the bathroom? Nope.
Close the door on messy rooms. Out of sight, out of mind = instant peace.
For Yourself
Water, tea, soup — keep it simple.
Rest without guilt. Healing is productive.
Remember: your body is running a full-time operation fighting off germs. That counts as work.
Finding Humor in the Chaos
Some of the best memories come from sick-day shortcuts. Your kid might think pretzels for dinner is the best night of their life. Or maybe you joined a teams call camera-off while bundled in a blanket burrito — and nobody noticed. Life keeps rolling, even when you’re moving at half-speed. Sometimes the chaos is exactly what makes it memorable. Balance isn’t about juggling perfectly. It’s about knowing when to set a ball down and walk away. “Just enough” is often exactly what’s needed — no more, no less. And by giving yourself permission to do less today, you’re actually setting yourself up for a stronger tomorrow. So the next time you feel guilty about not doing it all, remember: “just enough” is still enough.
Now if you’ll excuse me, my blanket fort isn’t going to build itself.