By Liz Smith | Always Well Within
When I rewind back several years, I was one of many doing the juggle between raising a young family, running a business, dealing with ill health and all that life throws at you. Amidst the daily goings on of life, there were moments when I felt that I was surely going to buckle under the pressure of it all. As a quiet introvert, I never intended to lead a frantic life, yet somewhere between newborn babies and an ambitious brain that just wouldn’t quit, I found myself knee deep in overwhelm.
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My story is not unique, in fact, I know it’s a sad re-account of countless women and men everywhere, all pushing and striving just to get through the day. When you examine the truth of it, most of us know the current pace of life is not working, yet the idea of slowing down appears more frightening than our frantic attempts to keep up.
Common Signs of Overwhelm
When you live in a constant state of overwhelm, consumed with anxious laden thoughts, there is literally no room for anything else. If you long to experience less overwhelm, firstly let’s take a look at what overwhelm may look like in your life.
1) Poor focus – Do you find it hard to focus on one task at a time or prioritize one task over another?
2) Frequently rushing – Are you rushing through your day? Do you watch the clock and constantly worry about not getting everything done? Do you hold a belief that you must do it all or things will not get done?
3) Dread and disconnection – Do you wake up with a sense of dread some mornings or a lack of enthusiasm as you move through your day?
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4) You can’t say no – Do you find it hard to say no? Do you agree to tasks and activities that you know you don’t have time for? Are you worried about letting others down?
5) Tears and tantrums – Are you emotional often? Are feelings of helplessness, stress, confusion, and frustration familiar to you? If someone were to ask “are you okay?” do you feel like you might break down and cry?
6) Indecision and inaction – Do you find it hard to make decisions and procrastinate on taking action?
If you find yourself reading along and nodding in acknowledgment of these signs of overwhelm, I understand. This was me a few years ago, trapped in a mind that didn’t know how to slow down and a body that was willing to be dragged along for the ride.
The problem is, deep down I knew my state of overwhelm was a choice. In my heart, I wanted a life of deep, soothing, serene calm. I craved the bush hills of my youth, the dirt beneath my feet and the stillness in which to revel in it. It was this inner calm that my heart has been calling me towards, countless times throughout my life. It turns out I just needed to teach my mind and body how to get there.
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