Spring break has come and gone for me, and with its departure a feeling of overwhelm has settled itself in the pit of my stomach. As I look at my planner, there is a bit of panic as I find myself asking, “have I ‘dipped my hand in too many pots?’”
While I write a lot on my desire to slow down and create more space for quiet, empty moments, my tendency is toward busyness. I seem to like staying occupied and I fear that I place a lot of value in constant striving (something I definitely need to explore in greater depth). As a result, I can overcommit myself to a lot of projects only to realize, too late, what I have managed to do.
This Spring I am continuing to substitute teach in hopes of making connections at the local schools that I am currently applying for jobs at. I also have just started my onboarding for a summer position that I accepted with a highly regarded curriculum company. This alone is enough to fill my working hours. And yet, there is more…
In the state of California, you need an English Language Authorization to teach, and the credits that I received through my Structured English Immersion course in my Master’s program won’t transfer. So, now I am also studying for this exam which I will take in early May. This is both a substantial financial and time commitment. I want a teaching job, and so, I study.
Finally, I am also making my way through a User Experience Design course with Google Certifications.
This is what I mean when I say that “ I may have dipped my hand into too many pots”.
The overwhelm grows from a self created belief that I won’t be able to complete all of the above tasks, at least not to a satisfactory standard, while simultaneously working to care for my mental, physical, and emotional health. I propel myself into a story that this is all just too much and in order to get it done I have to sacrifice self care and simply succumb to a miserable two months.
Two key points here, the overwhelm stems from: 1) a self created belief AND 2) a limiting story. This means that my overwhelm isn’t in fact rooted in reality. I am creating it through my own thoughts. I have empathy towards myself for this creation. Yet, I also want to acknowledge my own power in the situation so as to move through my overwhelm instead of succumbing to it.
In order to manage and then release – in bits and pieces – my feelings of overwhelm, there are several important mindset shifts and practices that I engage in.
First, is what I just wrote about: acknowledge the feeling of overwhelm has grown from a self created belief, a story in the mind. The truth is, in this EXACT moment, you’re likely to be okay. With this present breath, you’re safe. This feeling of overwhelm isn’t stemming from what’s happening right now, but instead your own catastrophic thoughts around what “could” or “might” happen in the future. When you acknowledge this, you take back the power.
Second, make a physical list of what needs to get done and then ask yourself, “What can I do right now to begin making progress on this?” So often seeing it all down on paper can bring a sense of control and result in a calming feeling. Furthermore, I find that my feelings of overwhelm often dissipate – at least a little – once I begin on whatever project is causing me to fret. Just get started. Let momentum pull you forward from there.
Finally, I like to use visualization as a means of helping me to move through, and out, of overwhelm. Instead of staying stuck in a defeating or limiting story, I can ask, “how do I want to feel as I move through this season of life? What am I working towards?” Doing this reminds me of my own intention to feel more courageous in my life. I choose these projects out of a desire to expand and learn. Once I am clear on this, I can visualize that outcome. I practice seeing myself as this calm and hopeful person as I move through my work. And I can be her, if I choose to.
So yes, maybe I did “dip my hand into too many pots” this Spring. That is okay. It is also okay to experience overwhelm at the thought of what lies ahead. But I don’t need (or want) to stay there. And I don’t have to. Instead I can release the story, the belief, and I can come back to THIS actual moment. I can get clear on what needs to happen, and I begin to envision my own success, my own joy and inner peace. And, yes, I probably will have to do this again and again through the next couple of months.
What about you? Does overwhelm ever plague you – draining you of energy and optimism? Perhaps try out the steps above and see if they help. If not, what else might? Drop your thoughts below.
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