Today I woke up overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed with life and the billion things that are clamoring for my attention.
Sometimes life is like a cupboard (or drawer or closet) you've crammed so many things into, that they all keep spilling out every time you open the door... or you know, wake up and get out of bed.
Waking up like this isn't fun.
But the thing I realized today is... It's OKAY to feel overwhelmed. It's NORMAL when there are a billion things in your life that you can't control.
You just have to embrace it and say 'Nope I can't do it all'. And know that at the end of the day the important things will get done. No you don't have to finish doing your taxes today, or patching all the nail holes in the wall, or sorting that ridiculous pile of papers on the counter, or finish prepping for your little brother's wedding reception that isn't until the END OF APRIL... (okay, that last one may not apply to you).
Prioritize. Yes, I will get my bum to the grocery store because I have to feed my family. And if that's the only thing on my list that gets "done"... it's okay.
I find that whenever I feel like this and I want to crawl back in my bed there are some things to do/realize:
1. I probably need more sleep. Life always looks better when you aren't over tired.
2. If it go out for a walk I'll get some perspective.
3. Do one thing on your list. Just one. Some days this means making my bed. Others it means showering. Yep, I'm serious. Or the walk thing. So pick one thing you HAVE to do... and then "take a vacation from your problems"--What about Bob... I'm seriously going to have to watch this movie soon, it's been way to long.
So what do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
{Besides make a HUGE batch of brownies and eat them until you want to pop... because that may or may not have been my coping mechanism yesterday :) }
Red
I know this doesn't work for everyone, but I'm a big "lists" person. Too much to face? List it out, then decide how to tackle it. I find it easier to get perspective that way, and give myself permission to not do some stuff. Also, it gives me a sense of progress when I start crossing things off the list.
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday I had a good ten minute conversation/quote swap about What About Bob. One of my favorite movies ever!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely had bouts with feeling overwhelmed in the last few weeks~ it's frustrating to keep shifting things on my to-do list to other days on my calendar, but you know what? I think that with most of the things, I'm the one who's stressing about getting them done "on time"--to the outside world, it really doesn't matter if I let the laundry pile up one more day or get my thank-you notes out a week later than I wanted to. People and laundry are forgiving like that.
ReplyDeleteI like the "going for a walk to get perspective" idea. Now, if it would only stop snowing around here...normally I'd go walking in the snow, but I've been having a hate/hate relationship with cold weather recently and I have the new baby excuse to tide me over :)