Feeling overwhelmed

Have you ever had one of those days, where everything just feels too much and you can’t wait to get to bed but then when you’re finally settled, you can’t get to sleep? Do those days happen more often than not?

I’ve noticed over the last few weeks I seem to have more of these days. Rushing around trying to manage my children, getting them to school, rushing to work, coping with the pressures of workloads and deadlines, rushing home to collect the children from school, finishing work whilst trying to resolve any issues my children may have had from school. Then to start my second job off wife and mum to sort dinner, washing, tidying up, replying to emails from my children’s schools or other letters which need sorting. To not actually stop until 9pm most nights. The feeling of exhaustion is endless, so going to bed to find I’m restless or falling asleep to only wake up in the early hours and not be able to get back to sleep and having to get up at 6.30am to start it all over again.

Wow, I feel shattered just reading that paragraph. So I decided enough was enough, it had to stop, I had to take control back rather that letting the treadmill carry on. We all to often get caught up in this trap and just carrying on and rushing around endlessly and not actually getting anywhere, not achieving anything and feeling exhausted.

So the other day, I had a day off and I cleaned and sorted the house. I tidied and deep cleaned the bedrooms, deep cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, I even sorted the landing and cupboard on the stairs. Things which we do every day but sometimes jobs which are the first to get left. It made such a difference to my emotions. I felt lighter, more relaxed, tired yes but not so tense. There is a saying; ‘a tidy desk means a tidy mind’ and I think I have really understood the deeper meaning behind this saying.

I went back to attending swimming and yoga classes. I also have started completing my mindfullness in the evening, just spending 10-15 minutes for me. All of it is helping me feel better, more in control, more relaxed, less overwhelmed and even more energised. The new task is to now keep on top of everything, to carry on making sure the house is kept clean and tidy. To make sure I keep making time for me, to keep control, stop and listen to what my mind and body is telling me.

If this is something you struggle with, take time to stop. Read my article, ‘When it feels too much’ for some tips and strategies.