3 things to do when you have too much going on
Hi everyone, are you feeling this week? I'm doing my best to cope with many emotions and feelings, and I'm sure you're doing the same. So, that's why I want to talk about 3 things to do when you have too much going on. At the beginning of the month, I was excited about everything happening, the changes, and everything we had to do. But now that I'm doing a mid-month check on myself, I have too much going on. So, it's the perfect time to share 3 things to do when you have too much going on, just to stop for a minute and breathe.
Check on yourself
As I mentioned before, the first thing I do is check on myself. Stop everything you're doing for about ten minutes, take a big breath, and ask yourself these questions.
How am I feeling now?
How am I feeling lately?
Am I happy about the things I'm doing?
Is something bothering me? If yes, why?
What can I do to feel better?
Can I ask for help?
Are my thoughts too messy? If yes, how can I calm my mind?
Am I taking care of my body and mental health?
Am I eating good food?
Am I isolated from friends and family?
These are simple questions, but when you're in the middle of the flow, you quickly lose focus on those crucial aspects of your self-care. So, it's essential to set about 10 minutes checking on yourself. Then, you can speak to yourself, write down the answers, journal with a stream of consciousness, or do it with a partner. Everything that makes you feel better is perfect.
Is there something you can let go of?
It may sound crazy, but when you have too much going on, it's often because you're holding too much. Too many thoughts, errands, deadlines, or tasks populate your mind and heart. Your body is reacting to this stress, and you need a break. So, when you're checking on yourself, figure out if you can ask for help. You're not quitting a task or a deadline but sharing it with someone trusted. If it is an absolute priority, you have three options: complete it immediately, share it with someone, or delegate it to your partner.
If it's not a priority but still significant, remember that many people love you and surround you. So, please talk to them and ask for help.
If it's not a priority and you're losing interest in it, let it go. I can make my bed later in the day if I'm tired, skip a laundry day if I want to go for a walk, and plan different cleaning times during the week because one session overwhelms me. These are some of the things I've learned over the past year.
Forgive yourself because you're not a robot and need breaks and calm. Your feelings are more important than a to-do list.
Stop comparing yourself
Comparing myself with my expectations is the worst thing I can do for my mental health. So the ongoing motto is "stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone is different". And it's brilliant. But my worst enemy is in my head, my expectation. And that's what I'm comparing myself to.
When this happens, I have to force myself to stop doing it. I remind myself that I can do it, I will achieve my goals, but slowly and that's ok. I'm a human who deserves to stay a night in PJ, drinking a glass of wine and laughing with my partner. I'm a woman who deserves to take a hot shower for ten minutes with candles and music to relax. I'm a person who deserves to take the weekend off to chill and spend quality time with loved ones.
My expectations are so hard: early wake-up call, a super productive day with an endless to-do list, always being present for my loved ones, and living the best social life.
Since the day has only 24 hours, I have to choose, and I'm learning to choose my mental health and well-being. And you?
Make lists
If you have too much going on, making lists is an excellent solution to put everything in place, make you feel confident, and resize the negative thoughts. In general, I have too much going on when work-related things, personal errands, deadlines, and personal life require my attention simultaneously. So, What can I do?
I make lists categorizing my to-dos. My next thought is, "OMG, I need to complete everything as soon as possible! But how?"
My experience taught me that you can take time to complete a to-do list and move a task from one day to another. So, the next step is prioritizing the tasks. If you have appointments, deadlines, or need to complete a task because something external requires it, make it a priority 1. If you can tick something off your list by your time, put it into your calendar when you don't have other appointments.
Do you know how you'll complete this task? Because you'll have an errand with yourself on your calendar, and that's enough to motivate your commitment, stay active, and feel proud of yourself.
One big task per day is more than enough. So during the rest of the day, ensure you have more minor errands to feel productive but not overwhelmed.
Finally, one of the most essential tasks on your list is rest. Take time to recharge, rest, and do nothing. I usually take one day during the weekend to stay in my PJs and take a walk if I feel it. Otherwise, I stay at home chilling and vibing on the couch. If you need some time alone, talk to your loved ones and explain to them why you're spending some time alone. It's not like you're isolating. Instead, you're recharging your social battery.
I struggled to write this blog post because I have too much going on this month. In fact, I cried a lot to let the stress out of my body, and now I'm slowly feeling better. So, you're not alone, and if you want to chat about it, you can email me or comment under this post.