When you're feeling overwhelmed: slow down.
When you're still feeling overwhelmed: slow down even more.
Hello there, beautiful Soul!
It seems counterintuitive, right? Usually, when we're feeling overwhelmed, we think we need to do more, be faster, be more efficient; if only we were smarter, better, stronger... we would be able to deal with everything better, right? No! Stop! Seriously stop. No "but", just no.
I know. You have a lot on your plate, but it's not getting any better if you try to keep running while carrying a lot of heavy things, which you're barely able to lift while standing still.
So stop. Put it all down.
When was the last time you have done something "just for fun"?
And I don't mean stuff you do to distract you from the fact how painful life can be / stressed you are, but something you truly enjoy? Fully! Something which makes your Soul light up?
How much space do you have for those things, rather than things you think you "have to" do or "should" do or even worse "must" do?
Of course, I understand that living under late stage capitalism and maybe being responsible for more humans than only yourself, reeeaaally doesn't seem to allow you to slow down.
It seems impossible.
Believe me, I know. I am right there with you burning though my adrenal glands on a regular basis.
But, as much as we like to bypass the fact: we are very human. We can only do so much.
And don't underestimate the psychosomatic effects of facing a climate catastrophe, wars, oppression, violence, inflation, deadly viruses ... on your entire being.
You might be able to bypass it in your day-to-day life, but we are all carrying collective trauma and wow, it is heavy.
So even that alone would be enough to exhaust your nervous system, but you also have aaallll the stuff in your personal life going on.
So please.. Stop. Put it all down. At least for a few minutes. Maybe until you're done reading this?
Come on. All the things you're carrying. Put them down. It's okay.
I'd like you to take a good look and feel. Take into account how much you've actually been carrying.
Feel free to make a list at this point if it's difficult for you to grasp all of it using your imagination only. Really, grab a pen and paper and write it all down.
Now, tell me, if your favourite human came to you and showed you all they've been carrying, would you tell them to pick it back up and keep going?
Would you tell them they're weak?
Would you tell them they will just have to do better?
Orrr ...
Would you be concerned about their health?
Would you tell them to rest?
Have a cup of tea and some cookies?
Stay as long as they need?
Exactly. That's what I thought.
Sometimes, it gets easier to see what's happening, when we imagine someone else in our place.
Only to do for now: rest.
Also your brain. Or especially your brain. So no scrolling! No binge watching! I mean, who am I to tell you, what feels right for you right now - it's just that I have a habit of distracting myself and not really resting or listening to my needs when I do that, but yeah. You do you, boo.. you do you.
Here are a few ideas for resting I enjoy:
Nap / Sleep
Do nothing
Do something fun
Do something you love
Hang out with people you love
Cuddle / spend time with animals
Journaling
Listening to music
Dancing
Any kind of gentle or powerful movement (you do you)
Deep Breathing
Spending time with / in nature
Going on a walk
Meditating
Self treatment with Reiki, Energy Work
Getting a massage / spa treatment
Taking care of your body, like shower, skin care routine, self massage
No phone for at least 1 hour after waking up / before falling asleep
Aim for 8 hours of sleep, go to bed early
Bonus: While you're still resting, but you're well rested enough, you can have a look at the stuff you've been carrying:
Do you REALLY have to carry ALL of that stuff AT THE SAME TIME?
Is all of that even yours to carry?
Maybe there is stuff you can get help with?
Maybe there is stuff you can pick up later?
Maybe there is stuff you can get rid of?
Is there a way to get the things done without burning yourself out?
Can you bring someone in to help you with figuring this out?
Feel free to use a journal to help you access your thoughts and feelings. You can also use the list you made before and feel into the things one by one. If you can't seem to find a solution right now, that's okay. Writing it all down, so it's not stuck in your brain, but visible in front of you, can be very relaxing, too.
One hour of rest won't magically fix your life, but a commitment to yourself, your health and your well-being will, over time.
Don't stress about it as yet another thing on your plate. You can only do all of the things, if you're not constantly burning yourself out.
It's more about re-arranging priorities than adding things. There will always be more things. But when you change your mindset, you will have a different approach.
It's called a spiritual "practice" for a reason. You're not shut off from the world in a monastery in the mountains. You're right here in the big mess of life.
It's not easy.
It might be as simple as "slow down", "rest" or "prioritise your well-being", but it's far from easy.
We're living through a phase of constant collective trauma.
Read that last paragraph again and really let it sink in. Okay, great. Thanks. Keep reading.
So be kind to yourself. If you only remember to "slow down" and take a deep breath when you're feeling overwhelmed again, that's awesome!
If you can only manage to find 20 minutes a day to yourself, that's great!
Maybe you will even learn how to slowly peel back and shed layers of conditioning, which will allow you to heal even more and build a more sustainable life(style) for yourself and your loved ones..
It's very possible to build a life you enjoy (more), where you can focus on your well-being (more).
But: It's rather an inside job and a constant practice, than a point you reach when you have achieved XYZ.
If you want my support on your journey, I would love to be your guide.
So much love from me and my adrenal glands,
Lisa ♥
PS: Bonus points for gaining new insights on your life when you're resting. Let me know how that goes...
PPS: You can now pick your stuff back up. Or ask your Spirit Guides or whoever you pray to, to maybe take care of the things which are too heavy for you or which aren't yours to begin with. You can give them back, you know? Maybe they're owners are missing them already...
Thank you for reading. Have a beautiful day. ❀
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