We all have periods where we feel just plain overwhelmed. For me, they usually involve over-committing myself to work projects for prolonged period of times and not getting enough sleep. And it's always easily solved by taking a day or two off to step back and enjoy life. But for the last month, this sense of overwhelmingness (is that a real word?) has been almost everlasting. A combination of work projects/deadlines, constant social activities, a couple of road trips, endless doctor's appointments, baby planning, my grandmother being sick and passing away, some serious preg-somnia, things breaking around the house, an excess of extra bills, my husband being on the road for almost a month, and a bunch of other things I won't bore you with, and I just feel a good ol' classic cocktail of anxiety and mental exhaustion.
I'm happy being consistently active, and I don't like to feel bored. But if I had time to lie on the couch and eat ice cream for a solid week, I'm pretty sure that's what I'd be doing right now. My friends keep reminding me that I'm growing a human and all that stuff, hence the whole drained feeling being normal. And I know that's part of it. At the same time, I feel like an ass complaining about having too much going on while I'm pregnant, because guess what? When that baby arrives, any exhaustion or feelings of being overwhelmed that I've ever had are all going to be piled together and multiplied times, like, a million. This is nothing. (Even if it doesn't feel like nothing.)
I didn't make the decision to do this post because I needed to vent, or to broadcast to the world how much I've had going on. We all have a lot going on. I decided to do this post because just as I'm reminding myself to take a breath right now, I'm reminding all of you too. We're all stressed out. We all take on too much. It's our nature. And we all end up feeling drained. So take a breath (one of those really good, deep, satisfying ones), and remember that it's all going to be okay. Then, if you'd like, take a minute to share in the comments how you decompress when you're feeling overwhelmed. I'd love to know!
Photo taken at Bartlett Lake, Arizona. March 2013.
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random thoughts/life
I definitely needed to read this today... I've been feeling overwhelmed this week. And I'm with you: I love being busy and social and I usually hate sitting around the house! Sometimes we need that, though. So let's both take breaks today and eat ice cream and BREATHE. Sounds good to me! :) - Sarah
ReplyDeleteWhen I start to become short tempered with my family, I know its time to take a breather. We can fill our plate with so much that we inch out what is most important. Enjoy your breather!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitley someone who takes on too much and I feel pretty overwhelmed most of the time, but I'm learning. And when I'm totally burnt out and need a day off? Usually a trip to the salon, a bottle of wine, yummy food and a TV show marathon does the trick! ;) Wishing you all the best with your week... and a week of ice-cream sounds fabulous right about now! ;)
ReplyDeletexo
By The Shore
I miss wine! :)
DeleteYou have no idea how much I was needing this post from you! *breathes* even though Im not growing a baby, I am feeling extremely overwhelmed! Thank u for reminding me :)
ReplyDeleteTaking a breath is definitely needed!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get so frustrated when my entire "to-do" list for the day isn't finished, but then, I have to realize - sometimes it just can't all be finished. That's how it is.
My blog post for today kind of goes along with yours!
Every day is a new day. And yes, take a breath! Take just a few minutes for yourself when you can, because you need it. We all need it.
=0)
Happy Wednesday,
Kim
I know this might sound counterintuitive, but for someone who likes to be busy...maybe you should schedule downtime and keep to it just as if it were a doctor's appointment (or something else with a set date and time). Make an appointment to lie on the couch and read a couple chapters of a book. Or if you need to keep your hands busy in order to relax, then find an activity that wouldn't be stressful but give you something to focus your mind on for an hour or two.
ReplyDeleteI find that when I've got 80,000 things going on in my brain at once, the best way to settle a bit is to focus on an activity that requires a lot of my brain. It has the same effect as meditation...and maybe even better if you are one of those people who can't sit still and do nothing.
I've been frustrated lately at not being able to accomplish everything I want to do...my body has not been cooperating. I've been forced to take a time out. Sometimes life makes the decision for you.
I hope you are able to get some rest. <3
These are great suggestions Mary! I hope your time out is helping. xo
DeleteThis post is exactly what I was trying to convey on my own post two days ago, although you expressed it much better than I did! I know that feeling all too well. I have also been having it for a good month or two, and just had to write about it to remind myself that I am truly lucky and blessed. It was very cathartic, and helped me relax a lot more. Reading it over and over helps me understand that I do deserve to feel crappy sometimes, but I can't let those feelings ruin my life or take control of it, like they were. It feels so good to find that I'm not alone! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely post, I get stressed easily, mainly by over thinking stuff, taking a breath is really important, sometimes things get so overwhelming that we all need a break. Thanks for the much needed reminder :)
ReplyDeleteI really needed this today. Thank you.
ReplyDeletegorgeous photo! been there melissa. glad you are recognizing when you need to rest. that's one of the most common things i've heard from pregnant women is how tired they are. so be kind to yourself. to decompress: i read, do art, watch tv, surf the net, meditate, or take a nap. i also have to have quiet.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post, so very helpful for those who are feeling stressed. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.buttonsandbirdcages.com
I've definitely been feeling this way lately, and similarly it's being compounded by being pregnant (maybe it's partially a pregnant thing?). For me, writing things down/making a to-do less, though while not relaxing per se, does help me to relax and feel like I have a handle on things. Sometimes I just also stop what I'm doing to watch tv for a bit, or just have a good cry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder! Adding on our addition is taking more of my time than I thought. I didn't plan on helping til it was time to paint...what was I thinking!
ReplyDeleteBut I just got out of a long hot bath with a cold glass of wine...my perfect idea to unwind.
I'll have a glass for you too :)
Great reminder. I find taking walks -- out in the country if possible -- helps me to decompress.
ReplyDeleteBe kind to yourself -- pregnancy IS exhausting!!
Good reminder! I practice Bikram yoga to relax and rejuvenate!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you for reminding me! Same as you I like to keep busy, but sometimes the workload is just too much! I hope you're taking it easy, especially since you've got little baby on the way ♥
ReplyDeleteNothing relaxes me more than reading :)
we all have those moments where we need to recharge...i constantly overwork myself also..it's something we do as people who love being busy..it's good and bad for sure. remember to take time and enjoy life, the days are all we've got. no one looks back at their lives and thinks "wow i worked a lot" love you sis
ReplyDeleteI go out and hug my horses and putt around in the barn. It always relaxes me even though I might be doing physical activity. Just the smells and the sounds contented horses make ... mellows me out. :)
ReplyDeleteJust what I needed to hear today. Thank you.So much negativity at work right now has me feeling stressed. I crochet ( nothing complicated ) while watching a movie on Netflix. If I don't have a movie on, my brain won't stop thinking..:)
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Steph