Feeling overwhelmed? A few ideas to help lessen the weight!
Feeling overwhelmed? A few ideas to help lessen the weight!
It’s the holiday season. For many this means extra time with family, traveling with children, spending lots of money and a general sense of trying to “do it all”
If any of these made you laugh, cringe or recollect the overwhelm you’re experiencing in other areas of your life: work, overpromising at the PTA or saying “sure” and being all angry about it… then keep reading!
Ways to reduce overwhelm + increase joy:
- Take a beat before you say yes to parties, projects, playdates, properties, plans, pet sitting. You get the jest. Sit with the option first, get clear on why you’re saying yes. If you choose to proceed you’ll do so with your goals, sanity and savings in mind.
- Communicate your feelings early and often to limit assumptions, confusion and resentment. This may sound like: “Hi Tonya, I’m looking forward to helping with the PTA fundraiser. Thank you for sending over the information sheet and sign up options. I have a few questions about the requirements listed, is now a good time to discuss these?’
- Be mindful of your expectations, they’re a minefield for others if left buried! Here’s an example: So I’m going to do a bunch of stuff for others but subconsciously my expectation is that they’ll say “oh my gosh, wow, amazing job, you’re terrific, thank you!” When they don’t,( because people aren’t mind readers & worth is always an inside job)… well, that’s where the relationship ruining, I feel vulnerable/scared= angry, passive aggressive reaction may show up.
- Set clear boundaries, communicate them simply, with clarity and not apologies. When you feel like throwing boundaries out the window and fall back onto old habits take a deep breath and sit with yourself. Why are you feeling the need to abandon yourself? Do you feel you’ll be abandoned if you express your needs? Is this a new feeling or old, how does this show up in other areas of your life? Where do you feel this in your body? Can you allow this feeling to fully present for 90 seconds, to move through and be experienced before you jump to avoid it?
When you know yourself, when your actions align with communicated feelings versus unspoken expectations & assumptions everyone will have a better experience. You’ll feel more confident to handle anything that comes up AND enjoy the life you’ve crafted.
