It's easy for me to feel a little panicked with the Monday dawn. Sometimes the whole being-a-PhD-student-thing accompanied by the married-woman-thing and the volunteer-advocate-thing with a heavy helping of the being-a-grownup-thing is a tad on the overwhelming side. Sometimes I want to scream, WHO GAVE ME ALL THESE THINGS?? THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS!
In an occasional fit of panic, I call my mother who gives me the advice I now know by heart. It's very good advice. And very comforting to a worried worrier like me.
"Just do the next thing," she says. "Not ALL the things. Just the next one."
So today, I am trying to focus on "just the next thing."
What about you? What helps you cope when you're feeling overwhelmed?
love, elizabeth
Oh I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down, sister!!!
ReplyDeleteI get that way alot - overwhelmed with life and how much there is to do. Sometimes a good cry feels helpful. Or a bubblebath. (If there's time for it anyway). I love the freak out and throw things sign - that is SO me!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling overwhelmed a lot lately, too. I'm starting a new endeavor on my blog, I have 2 kids under 2 (and both in diapers!) and my husband has been picking up side work so that he's only home a few nights a week. I stop feeling overwhelmed when I write down everything I have to do in a list. Then I check things off as I do them and feel like I'm accomplishing tasks rather than being overwhelmed.
ReplyDeletelife in the married lane - a little blog full of inspiration!
haha that is a lil ironic. I just did a quick post on what I do when I get stressed and a huge emotional mess.
ReplyDeleteBut when I get overwhelmed, I take time out and take photos. Its the next best thing.
I DEFINITELY needed to hear your mother's advice today! We just moved and had more of our things from the old house shipped to our new place and it's arrive today... ahh! I haven't even gotten the first batch of stuff finished yet! We can barely walk through our bedroom because the floor cannot be seen!! AHH!!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's getting stressed due to the chillier air and the shorter days. When I'm stressed, I enjoy a great nap. If I can't nap, then great food will have to do.
ReplyDeletetiannamae.blogspot.com
I'm still trying to figure that out! I think I just try to prioritize my life and go back to what is really important. Sometimes I think, "Okay, what can I put down right now?", especially when I know I can't do everything.
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 Tackle things as they come, and try your mightiest not to worry about things that are far off. It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed (sheesh, I should know haha), but just know that it passes :)
ReplyDeleteRight now, with Mike gone, I'm in a CLEAN ALL OF THE THINGS kind of mood. Lord help me.
ReplyDeletethose are all challenging and difficult areas to juggle right now....but i love your mom's advice...because that's all you can do..just the next thing! tell her she is a wise lady..because i will remember this too when life gets overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteI pray and after that, I just know that everything is going to be ok. :)
ReplyDeleteMy mum says that too! It's very true. I just make a list and work my way down it, ticking off one thing at a time (although throwing stuff is fun too!)
ReplyDelete