5 tips to curb overwhelm
Feeling Overwhelmed?
How do you deal with feeling stressed, overwhelmed, burnt out? How to you manage when you just can't keep all the balls in the air? You know - those times, when you think I can't keep doing this, something has to change.
You may think you just need to more time to get it all done, but have you ever noticed that when you do have extra time you just fill it up with more stuff?
That's because you don't need more time, you need less stuff to fill up the time you have.
My suggestion - do less.
Seriously, do less.
If you're feeling really resistant to this suggestion, I feel you. I used to have a million reasons why I couldn't possibly do less. I remember thinking, "if I'm not holding it together, it all falls apart!"
But hear me out...
Some things truly are top priority, such as feeding the kids, going to work, spending time with the people we love. But some of it can wait, or be ignored altogether... even when that voice in your head is screaming that disaster awaits if you don't do it.
It can be tough, but I have faith in you!
So here are some tips for doing less:
• Ask for help: I know it can be really uncomfortable, but remember that getting the help you need is a sign of strength. Try saying something like, "I'm feeling overextended, and I need some help," then see what gets offered.
• Delegate it (even if that means it gets done "wrong"): Ask someone else to take over the job, and if you're worried it won't get done the way you like it, remember this: the world won't collapse if the towels aren't folded your special way, or the vacuuming isn't done to your standards. Sometimes done is best, and the freedom of getting it off your plate is worth the discomfort of it being done a little differently.
• Hire someone: Is there room in the budget to pay someone to clean your home once or twice a month? What about looking into laundry services? Or shop for groceries online and have them delivered.
• Wait and see: The kids (or others) aren't going to do it themselves if they know you'll do it for them. See what happens if you just don't do that thing you're feeling resentful about.
• Cross it off your list: That thing that's have been lingering on your to-do list for 2 months now? Just put a line through it. Sometimes it's helpful to accept that a task just isn't that high of a priority for you.
And remember - these changes don't have to last forever! Consider doing an experiment just long enough to give yourself some time to rest up and recharge. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a new strategy that sticks...
