Life’s not easy. Most of us have more on our plate than we’d like to have. This can lead to you feeling overwhelmed, especially when you’re starting the day. Waking up feeling like you cannot get everything done that you need to do is difficult. Here’re some helpful ways to deal with that.
1 Get Dressed Ready for the Day
If you’re in your pjs then you’re not going to feel ready to tackle a busy day. An occasional lazy day in pajamas is something we all need. But if you’re goal is to be productive then get out of the pjs! Get dressed in real clothes 👚 and take time to do your hair and makeup if that’s part of your usual routine. Getting ready to face the day always helps me feel motivated.
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2 Prioritize
I’m going to share a little secret with you. Not so long ago, my to-do list for each day was a mile long. I often felt overwhelmed because there wasn’t any way I could complete everything I wanted to do. I had to learn to prioritize. I still make a to-do list but I don’t list more than 5 things on it. Choosing the 5 most important things I need to accomplish helped me see what was important and what (little) things I needed to stop stressing over.
3 Do Something That Soothes You
All work and no play makes you a cranky girl, at least if you’re anything like me! We all need balance in our life. It’s good to have a strong work ethic but you also need downtime. Taking time for something you enjoy or thatsoothes you can actually make you more productive because you’re well rested and not suffering from burnout. Take time everyday for something you enjoy or something that helps you relax.
4 Light a Candle
Candles are calming. At least they feel calming to me. There’s something about the soft glow of a candle and the light fragrance that makes your home feel welcoming and cozy. You may find that some scents are more calming than others. There’re actually even candles that’re designed to give you stress relief which’s an interesting concept to try out.
5 Call a Friend
Talking over what’s got you overwhelmed can be helpful. And let’s just say it; time with a girlfriend always lifts your spirits! It can help you chill out and not feel so overwhelmed with life. Even if you’re just gossiping about the latest on a show you both love, it’s a welcome distraction from the craziness of life. After a chat with a bestie, you’ll feel more prepared to tackle things that need to be done.
6 Put It in Perspective
This’s something else I’ve learned to do. Realizing that the world won’t end if you don’t complete everything you set out to do is a big step. Perfectionists often feel frustrated when they don’t complete their day in the perfect manner they planned. I know because I’m a recovering perfectionist! Gaining some perspective is key.
7 Decide Your Best is Good Enough
You don’t have to be perfect! (I’m coaching myself here, too!) If you’ve went through your day and did your best then accept that as a great day. It’s okay if some things spill over into tomorrow. It can be very helpful to focus on what you did get done rather than what you didn’t.
8 Remind Yourself That You Can Only do What You Can do
When you're feeling overwhelmed with a to-do list that just consumes your mind, remember that you are only one person. You can only do what you have time for - you're not superhuman. So when you're unable to achieve everything you wanted to in one day, guess what? Tomorrow is yet another day!
9 Evaluate Your Assumptions
So often we think that we "have to" do this or "we must" do that. Do we really? Sometimes, think about these things and whether we really do have or need to do all of them. Feeling overwhelmed benefits no one.
10 Say No
You can't please everyone. So when you're invited to dinner or for a night out but you feel consumed with anxiety or seriously just need a day to yourself, simply say no!
These’re some tips to help you if you wake up feeling overwhelmed. I hope they’re helpful to you. How do you deal when the day ahead seems crazy?
