After a bit of a downbeat word last week I really wanted to choose a lighter, happier word this week but in the spirit of keeping it real, I’m choosing the word overwhelm. I have a terrible habit of taking on far too much both in my personal and professional life. sometimes I forget that there are only so many hours in a day and I end up squeezing so many things in that I get overwhelmed and come to a total standstill.
This week my brain has been racing at a hundred miles an hour with to-do lists, when this happens I get to a point where I burn out which means a few days spent doing the absolute minimum and feeling terribly guilty about it.
Over the past few years, I have noticed a pattern that always seems to emerge around the Summer. I usually become so overwhelmed that I stop everything I’m doing and take a total break even abandoning my blog which I certainly don’t want to do that this time. I’ve decided to spend this weekend breaking everything down and being totally ruthless about eliminating the things that take too much time and energy for the return I get from them.
I think I need to learn that once I’ve eliminated some of the tasks I find overwhelming they stay eliminated as I have a tendency to let little things creep back in and build up to the same point again. I feel that writing this down and sharing it holds me accountable for making changes once and for all.
Daisy finishes school next Thursday for the Summer and I’m giving myself until then to work on reducing unnecessary work, tasks and stress to a point where I can enjoy and make the most of the time we all have together before school starts again in September.
Overwhelmed also describes how I feel about all the lovely supportive comments I had on last week’s post, I appreciate every single person who takes the time to read my posts and taking a little time out of your day to leave me a comment means the world to me.
I’m linking up with Jocelyn at The Reading Residence for Word of the Week, Do pop across and check out all the other lovely blog posts that link up each week.
Angela xx
Oh I know what you mean, suddenly there’s a panic to get things done in time for summer and to enjoy the summer holidays with the children. Prioritising your tasks and making a list which you can tick off may help you – but we’re not super people. We’re parents with children who lead busy lives, Just do what you can.
Best of luck xx
#WoTW
It’s funny how little things all creep up on you and before you know it they all become huge things. I think your plan to eliminate sounds spot on, hope it works for you and you can relax and enjoy the summer break x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
I do hope you’re feeling better now. I have those days when I’m just feeling so overwhelmed with things. It’s just difficult not to let it get to you, isn’t it? I guess sometimes we just need to remind ourselves to breathe 😉 #wotw
It sounds like you know yourself well and understand how you best deal with things. #WotW
I get overwhelmed a lot and never can quite get the balance right. I am either doing too much or just totally shutting down as a direct response to being overwhelmed, just like you have described. It is good you have taken action to reflect and put in manageable ways to overcome the difficulties you have. Just remember do baby steps and you will get through it X. #wotw
It has been an overwhelming week really with finishing school and all the rest of it!
Shorting the wheat from the chaf is a great idea and here’s hoping it makes you feel a whole lot better! #WordoftheWeek