Dealing with Overwhelm
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Feeling like there is too much to do, that you're only one person, and that there isn't enough time in the day/week/month to get it done? I am guessing that if you're a human being, that you answered yes to this question. Overwhelm can be tricky, and can sneak into our experience without us even knowing it is there, until we're stressed, frustrated, panicking, and blaming time for never being enough.
What is overwhelm? According to merriam-webster dictionary, it means to overpower in thought or feeling. So who is responsible for the overpowering? It may seem as though a force has taken over and asserted this overwhelm onto us, when in reality, it is a subconscious choice we have made.
I have certainly experienced my fair share of overwhelm, in fact, I was there just this past week when it popped in and stole the show. I can say that as of recent, overwhelm seems to be more of an old friend that only comes by once in a great while versus a constant companion. This is due to the fact that I've found tools which allow me to catch it quickly, and remove it from my experience before it becomes an unwanted house guest. Here are a few things that have supported me when overwhelm comes knocking:
1. Step away from the experience. This can be challenging when you're deep into overwhelm as the ego's story is that everything needs to happen now or else. When you can remove yourself completely from the circumstance, and redirect your focus onto something more supportive like going for a walk, calling a friend (and not talking about the overwhelm), or simply listening to music, your attention will follow. Energy flows where focus and attention goes, so shifting this is crucial to extinguishing overwhelm. This can take as little as five minutes, and once you come back to the experience, you will be in a calmer state of mind, seeing things as they are without the strong urgency behind it.
2. Ask, "Will I ever get it done?" This question is so valuable to me for many reasons. First, it brings me back into awareness, and helps me to acknowledge that while there may seem to be a long list of "to do's" on my plate, the reality is, there will always be something more I "could" be doing. Thus, if I am never going to get it done, what is the point of rushing and applying pressure to myself? If I am not going to enjoy the journey of life now, when will I? If never, then what is the point of it all? This question allows me to re-focus my attention and recognize what Desmond Tutu once wisely said that “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.”
3. Check-in on my self-care. Generally, when I am not supporting myself, thus pouring from an empty cup, I tend to get overwhelmed much more easily. It is important to check-in and see, am I supporting myself? You cannot give what you don't have, so when you are over tasked, you are pulling energy from an empty space. It is important to ensure you're honoring your needs and listening to your body. It is so good at letting us know when it needs something, re: more rest, more alone time, food, nourishment, peace, space, joy, however, it is up to us to listen and respond. Ensure you're honoring your needs and if not, giving yourself permission to slow down and connect back in. This will bring forth much more impactful results, and you'll be able to enjoy the journey there.
My hope is that you can use these methods the next time you feel overwhelmed, reminding you that you do have more control than you think on how you operate in your experience, and that there is nothing that you have been given that you cannot handle.
