BUSYness, Self-Improvement & Mental Health with Peggy Sullivan

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your schedule, struggling to make time for yourself, or stuck in the cycle of constant busyness, this episode with Peggy Sullivan is for you—learn how to break free, take back control, and start living with more intention.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/peggy-sullivan

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Peggy Sullivan joins us to break down the high cost of busyness and how to take back control of our time, happiness, and mental health. Peggy is a keynote speaker, author, and consultant who’s spent years researching the effects of busyness and helping people escape the never-ending hustle. Her book, Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, lays out a simple but powerful three-step “busy busting” methodology that’s already changed lives.

We kicked off the conversation with Peggy’s mantra: “I am enough. I have enough. I got this.” She created this saying for herself, and it serves as a reminder that we already have what we need to succeed—we just have to believe it. We also talked about her personal passions, including hot yoga and cold plunges (which, honestly, sound like a nightmare to me, but she swears by them!).

Peggy explained why so many of us struggle to prioritize self-care. Society glorifies busyness as a status symbol, making us think that being overbooked equals being successful. We also get a little rush of adrenaline when we cross something off a to-do list, even if that thing wasn’t important. That’s why busyness becomes addictive. But here’s the kicker—research shows that 75% of Americans feel overwhelmed by their schedules and don’t know how to slow down, and 64% skip basic self-care (like eating meals and getting enough sleep) because they’re “too busy.” Worse yet, 76% of those who identify as overly busy aren’t even happy.

So how do we break free? Peggy shared her three-step busy busting process:

Subtraction: Cut out low-value activities that drain time without adding anything meaningful. Doom scrolling, email rabbit holes, and unnecessary multitasking are some of the biggest culprits.

Mojo Making: Replace that busyness high with intentional happiness rituals. Whether it’s savoring a piece of chocolate, taking a walk, or making time for a real connection, small moments of joy add up.

Values Vibing: Align your decisions with your core values. Peggy’s research identified four values that lead to a fulfilling life: human connection, energy management, growth, and authenticity. When you prioritize these, it becomes easier to say no to the noise and yes to what truly matters.

We also talked about the long-term mental health impacts of busyness—like forgetfulness, burnout, and strained relationships. Peggy shared a wake-up call from her own life: after working late one night, she accidentally ate her cat’s food instead of her own because she was too exhausted to notice. That moment made her realize just how much her busy lifestyle was costing her.

Peggy left us with some solid advice: Try the alternative. Cut one or two things that aren’t serving you and see how it feels. No one she’s worked with has ever regretted slowing down and making more space for what truly matters. She encourages everyone to stop letting busyness steal their joy. Life is richer, healthier, and more meaningful when we step off the hamster wheel.