I hope you had a sunny first weekend of August! It was rainy and gloomy here in Jersey, so not much fun in the sun was to be had. I started a new book, This Dark Road To Mercy, which is very good so far, and did tons of cooking (what’s new there!). Another accomplishment, I picked out a durable, high quality backpack to hopefully get me though college in the city. We’ll see 😉 Besides that, nothing much else happened. So instead, let’s get into something deep today.
We all feel overwhelmed sometimes. We become inundated with life. From everyday things like doing the laundry and paying the bills to major life changes like moving or in the midst of a difficult relationship. Just thinking about being overwhelmed can make you feel overwhelmed. You might remember just how draining those periods of time have been and you don’t want to get stick there again. Yet it’s inevitable and will probably happen again with one thing or another.
Feeling overwhelmed is exhausting. It’s so draining. but these are the times when you need the energy to move past and get through situations effectively. I know how I feel when I’m overwhelmed, and I am feeling it right now. I want to do something and work through what I need to work through, but I just can’t. I don’t feel the motivation or drive to do anything or fix any of the problems. I just want them to go away or magically fix themselves. I can’t get myself organized and sorted out, ready for action, like I can during more normal and less stressful times. One way you can tell I’m overwhelmed is just by looking at my face. These are the times when my trich is in full force. I got it under control right after school ended in June and was good through the month of July. But the last two weeks were a major set-back. I started to grow my eyebrows back and now there is nothing again.
Why? Because I am overwhelmed. Why? Because of the “C” word (college) and everything it entails (which is about 50 different things right now and not just the simple “o I’m going to college things”), my blog, the waning summer, opportunities that I just can’t do (but want to), money, living in a house/family that is anything but calm. But the more I let myself feel so overwhelmed, I’m only creating more burdens for myself to handle. I wish I had a magic recipe to combat these feelings, but there is very little that can help. The only thing that actually gets rid of the overwhelming feelings are dealing with the problems and letting them play out as they come.
There are temporary fixes of course like yoga, working out, cooking, taking a hot shower, drinking an iced coffee. I would say reading, but my mind is going a mile a minute and it’s so hard to concentrate on a story right now. I don’t want the rest of my summer, these last few weeks to be thrown away on feeling like life is just too much to handle right now. So it may be cliché, but my mantra for these last few weeks is going to be “It’s going to be OKAY!”
I am going to deal with one thing each day, accomplish one task each day and then spend the rest of the time taking care of myself and trying to have fun. I want to look my best and feel my best going into my “new life” and that will only happen if I make these next few weeks productive, relaxed, and fully embraced. I have to remember to breathe and remind myself that I have the strength to get through anything. Today is a new day, today is a new week, and today is the perfect day to start being powerful.
If your feeling overwhelmed, I feel you! But I am going to tell you that it’s going to be OKAY! It is, I promise. Everything passes and everything gets better eventually. It may take a while and it may seem impossible right now, but one day you will look back and see that you didn’t need to waste so much energy of feeling so overwhelmed. It’s not worth it and it only makes every situation worse. Say it with me…It’s going to be OKAY!
So tell me:
+ What’s making you feel overwhelmed right now?
+ How do you handle stress and life when things start to get out of hand? Do you let it take over?
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nickihawes says
I hope that writing this post was therapeutic, and helped ease those overwhelming feelings a bit. Mantras are the best, and can be so effective. We all feel you–good luck with everything! I’m sure it really will all be ok. Thanks for joining Pin Your Friday Favorite!
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks 🙂
dancinmoma says
Oh…there are days when that “overwhelming cloud” can block my vision. 😉 Thankfully, a nice breeze can move it out of the way! 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Well I’m glad you could find that breeze!
Kristen says
Loved this and needed this encouragement. Aren’t we all overwhelmed? Maybe we should all slow down. Found you at SITS.
Strength and Sunshine says
If only we could! But then the obligations would seem to pile up more when we got back in to it :/
Probably Rachel says
It is so easy to be overwhelmed at times.
I’ve personally gotten overwhelmed with a combination of small to large things. Some of which I can take comfort in the fact that “it is going to be okay.” Some of the other things really aren’t going to be okay, that’s when, “I will get through this” becomes the mantra.
Good luck!
Strength and Sunshine says
That’s exactly how I feel right now! Some of the stuff I do know will work out, but other things…not so much.
Ali says
This is such a beautifully written post. You have described exactly how everyone feels at some time. It helped me to know that other people feel exactly how I do. I also loved the fact that you offered advice at the end of your post. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ali xx
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Ali! It IS nice to know we are not alone even when we feel like we are. Sometimes we need to reach out and tell someone how we feel. It usually helps alleviate some of the stress!
eatsandexercisebyamber says
Rebecca, as I was reading your post, I was thinking, “comment and say, it will ALL work out/it’s going to be okay” and THEN there you were, writing it as your own advice 🙂 DEEP BREATHS, we cannot let stress overwhelm us, because then, we are not living, but existing in a perpetual high strung state of anxiety. Everything WILL work out, whether it takes a day or a month, things will fall into place, as they should, the universe has a funny way of working things out for us sometimes, but trust in its plan <3
Strength and Sunshine says
I know it does all eventually fall in to place…it always has…but when your in the thick of it with no end in sight, it is so hard to remember that! I know I’m not “living” right now and I m already regreting all the time I’ve wasted 🙁
Trying to breathe! Thank you Amber XOXO
Marie @kindinside.com says
Oh, girl! I knooooow how you feel, I just wrote a post about how I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately! I know you got the power to push through… We are definitely in this together 😉
Hugs!
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Marie! I’ll have to go check out your post! XOXO
Sarah Jean says
Bringing you some love from “Do Tell Tuesday.” Thanks for sharing this post! There are many, many days I feel overwhelmed but I love the thought of dealing with “one thing a day” and enjoying the rest of the day. Thank you for that reminder and God bless!
Sarah @ Pretty Simple Ideas
Strength and Sunshine says
I think we can all tackle one problem or obligation a day! Thinking about it that way makes things seem much more manageable!
Thanks love! XOXO
joanneviola says
One way I find to settle myself when I am overwhelmed is through prayer. To realize that God has my life under control & is always with me, brings such peace. May you find peace as you start back to school and work through all that is pressing upon you.
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks love 🙂
kristenk says
This is going to sound super corny, but I teared up reading this post. I am so overwhelmed and stressed right now and this is just what I needed to hear. I have 2 months to find a job (so does my husband) and an apartment that we can afford in Anchorage once our jobs end here in Seward, and I don’t really want to deal with moving again and starting another new job. I know this is the final move/job switch for a while but I’m so worried. A few days ago I started feeling really sick and having strange chest pain and people think I’m just too anxious right now, but just to be safe I’m giving up caffeine which would also cause that chest pain. So now I’m dying in coffee withdrawal too! I know exactly how you feel – it’s like there’s too much to do and all these scary new things are about to start and it’s just a lot to handle. I can tell you that college is a lot of fun and you will meet so many great people. Hopefully that helps a bit. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Strength and Sunshine says
Not corny at all! I’m glad (well kinda) that someone is feeling the same way! See how bad stress and anxiety is though! It effects us emontinally and physically. We really need to find outlets in these times, just something to help us get through.
I’ll be thinking of you XOXO
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Definitely needed this message today myself, actually. Thank you for the inspiring post and insights. I connect with you and understand everything you’re feeling. And I agree. It’s going to be okay!!! Remember to be grateful for what you have in life. Focus on the positives rather than focusing on the stresses. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
🙂 Good to hear! I’m trying but it is so hard right?!
Emily @MyHealthyishlife says
I’m heading into my junior year and I’m still feeling overwhelmed with the upcoming transition. But it does get easier each year as I know more of what to prepare for. Yoga and running keep me sane during this time!
Strength and Sunshine says
I’m scared I’m not going to HAVE time for the things I care about (yoga, fitness, cooking, blogging) the things that do bring peace!
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac says
College is definitely overwhelming and I’ve alread survived my freshman year! Good luck with the stress. It’s not an easy beast to beat. Right now, college, along with a few health things are pushing my buttons, but I’m trying to embrace the summer sun and enjoy it while it lasts! 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Trying to enjoy the summer, but I know I already lost so much time :/ It is so hard!
cottercrunch says
i always got overwhelmed in college, so be sure to find some R&R before it. I know you will! be easy on yourself friend. xxoo
Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Lindsay 🙂
One of my stressers right now is figuring out how I am going to keep my yoga practice going strong! I can’t afford a studio and I’m not sure where I will have the space/peace to bring my laptop and play an online practice :O
Cassie says
I have felt so overwhelmed lately… life, trying to find a new job and move, being in a LDR, do more with my blog/freelance… yoga DEFINITELY helps me get it reigned in.
Strength and Sunshine says
It is great for relaxing and clearing the mind, but it does not fix the problems :/
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Cassie, I couldn’t help but notice your comment and relate! I too am stressing with job searching, the possibility of moving to a new city, and even a long distance relationship for the first time! With my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years. Definitely feel for you!
hungryhobby says
Sometimes I find stress motivating… I find myself flying through things to get them done. However, when I get overwhelmed by the amount of things I have to do I sit down and hash out a plan. In grad school I made hour by hour plans of what I needed to accomplish because it got that crazy. But, it helps!
Strength and Sunshine says
I made a list this week of what I wan to get accomplished. I’m starting with something easy today (I should probably do the hard stuff first), but we will see how it goes! Writing things down really does help manage things though!
hungryhobby says
I ALWAYS start with easy…. helps work your way into the hard stuff! Good luck!