Yesterday evening I came to the realization that I am feeling overwhelmed. I am a horrible multi-tasker and I will be the first to admit it. I work best when I can focus on one thing, complete it and then go to the next task. Unfortunately, nothing in my life right now lends itself to the way I operate. Now that I am working on Fridays, I no longer have one day to focus on laundry, cleaning and getting things done. I am constantly running from one incomplete task to another, trying to keep up with daily chaos that is married life with two kids. I can’t get my home to the point of clean or finish the laundry. Feeding, clothing, helping with homework and caring for the kids is also a constant flow of things to do.
I am always fighting with my budget to make sure I hit my goals. I am also going to be out of town for the next two weekends and also took a day trip last Saturday. I am also having some minor health issues which the doctor said it could be anything from anemia to multiple sclerosis (tests pending). Did I mention my mother in coming? Throw in two personal goals (snowflake $525 towards my mortgage and declutter 21 bags/boxes of things), and I feel like I am losing my mind.
So what can I do about it?
- Celebrate the few successes I am having. Snowflaking to date: $5.00 selling kids clothes, $6.19 Saving Star, $20.78 work reimbursement, $55.86 cash rewards from credit, $9 unused funds from paycheck. Total: $96.83. Declutter Challenge: 1 box of random items donated and 1 bag of plastic bags recycled. Total: 2
- Figure out what I can eliminate. We’ve already committed to the upcoming trips but do I need to chaperon my daughter’s field trip the day before I am going out of town and my mother arrives? Nope. I am also going to try to take advantage of the time my daughter is at her soccer practice. I love to sit and watch her practice, but I just don’t have time for that right now!
- Make taking care of myself a priority. I need to get more sleep, eat better, drink water and exercise. So far, I haven’t anything towards this except start taking iron pills and getting an emergency root canal last Friday. (ouch!)
- Acknowledge that my “problems” are not serious issues and be grateful for the wonderful life I have.
That’s all I got. What do you do when you are feeling overwhelmed?
The C.F.O. Mom Blog 
When I get overwhelmed I tend to shutdown completely… which is never good. But, to get out of it, I typically make myself a list of the bare minimum to get thru the day and concentrate on that and no extras… Also, a good full night’s sleep really helps boost energy again.
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I shut down too! It usually paralyzes me and I end up just wasting more time.
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Exactly! Me too!
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I just read a blog about an”enough” list. Three things to accomplish each day that you can feel that you did ENOUGH. I’m experimenting with it this week as I have some major emotional things happening this weekend. To prevent myself from going down the rabbit hole of overwhelm, I’m focusing on my “enough list”. I’m finding I’m more productive and finding space in my day for more self care and more patience with my people.
i have tons of ideas for your de-owning and decluttering.
You follow my blog:)
15 minutes a day. Give yourself permission to huck expectations to the side and focus on intentions instead. Lastly, B R E A T H E ❤️
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Thank you for your comments. I like the idea of the enough list. I used to do 3 things – each I would pick three things that I had to get done that day. My best friend and I used to hold each other accountable. I need to bring back the 3 things! It helped!
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We’ve got your back… Just take one day at the time… one thing at the time, and remember to take a step back and breathe! It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get everything done (even how frustrating that sometimes is), just write a list of the MOST important thing you “have” to do.. and start there.. everything else is just “gravy” 😉
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I think I need to streamline my lists or organize them better. Currently I have like 15 things on there with things like laundry and clean house which will be complete in 18 years when my son goes to college. lol. Tonight I made a goal of picking everything off the floor so I can at least vacuum. I almost made it through the whole house. So close!
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My floor could do with a bit of picking up too… Maybe we should put that on our list for tomorrow? I used to be a list person but have slid a bit of that wagon… with how things are now in my house, I should probably start it back up 😏
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I have learned over the years not to fight my own body and minds limitations. When I feel overwhelmed and if it takes me doing one task at a time then that is what I do. I find that I end up being more effective that way as well because I am focusing all my efforts on completing it. Adult timeouts from life also helps, although with little kids that is virtually impossible. If your hubby can care for the kids who
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you may be able to get an adult time out to recharge.
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I took your advice and treated myself to dinner all by myself! Well, I drove to a local cafe myself and ordered take out just for me while my husband took the kids to soccer practice. I felt 100% better and was able to make progress on cleaning the house. Still haven’t completed a task yet, but feel good about the progress!
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That is great! Glad to hear you feel better.
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When life is chaotic and I feel that I have no time at all, is the most important time to make time. To go, “if I continue on in this manner, chaos is going to continue anyway. It won’t matter if I just take one day out and let everyone else fend for themselves and leave the home untidy”. Then during that time, I look critically at what is going on. What can I streamline? What can I delegate? What can I get rid of? What can I mentally let go of? (like expectations) What can I ask for help?
I like your list, I think all your points are very spot on. Hang in there!
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Those are some great questions. I think I need to find time to really come up with some answers. You are right. I can’t keep going on in this craziness. There’s so much I want to do but when it gets like this, I am not productive at anything. I am going to try to get some jounraling time in over the weekend.
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Congrats on facing the overwhelm! The firsat step is always admitting you have a problem.
You’re looking at ways to overcome!!
You’re doing such a great job your goals, maybe you could rest for a few days on those?
I always shut down completely too, like Jena.
Give yourself grace!! And get some good kiddo, Mom, and hubby hugs! Endorphins work emotional wonders!
Oh no! Sorry about your tooth!
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🙂 Rest sounds like such a great idea right now. I do think I’ll try to give myself some breathing room.
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Oh good!! You know you can’t tend to the family, if you don’t tend to yourself first!
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Multi-tasking is a no no for me as well… I’m BAD at it, So I try to focus on one task at a time. I will set my timer for each task, and at times one task is done in two sessions (oh well). Rest is very important for you to focus on each task so taking a break in between should be fine.
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