Overcoming Overwhelm

I found myself overwhelmed today. I realized I was thinking about all the things I have to do this week, all the tasks I have to complete, anticipating the fatigue I will feel each day as I try to scrunch in as much activity I can into as little time as I can. I'm letting you know this for a couple of reasons, one to show that even though I'm a therapist, I'm not immune to these worries. I can get swept away with the anxiety of being a human, just like everyone else. I also wanted to let you know what I did with that worry.

First, I let myself notice that I was getting swept up in the thoughts and made the choice to take a step back from those thoughts (I know, that's not easy, but I've been practicing). I then decided to look around me and place myself back into my room and out of my head. I pushed my feet into the ground a little harder to remind myself of my physical self. I reminded myself that I'm not there yet. I'm not at each spot in my life that I am nervous about. I can anticipate how I feel, but I won't truly know until I get there. All I can do is focus on this moment. Continue to do the things that will prepare me for my week. Take each moment at a time.

It didn't fix it, but it made it a little easier to proceed with my day. I can still feel my heart beating a little faster than usual and the tension I'm holding in my body, but I'm not consumed by it. It is really easy to get swept away in our worries, but we can also choose to slow down and experience ourselves in the moment we are in. How can you do that this week? How can you unhook yourself from your thoughts, if just for a moment? How can you spend a moment in just that moment?

As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.