Finding Solutions in Overwhelm

What a week!! Have you ever questioned WHY you choose to jam so much into a short period of time? As a chronic over-achieving Type A and recovering perfectionist, I am quite familiar with this position. Now, in my new-found awareness, I can be fully conscious of the fact, that I have created this situation that has resulted in less patience and increased back pain and headaches!

Yes, it’s true. From time to time, I allow myself to get caught up in the insanity of trying to fit it all in, being ruled by time and a to-do list the size of your arm! In an effort to create balance, I actually put pressure on myself to achieve more with less. I can even ‘predict’ when it is going to happen, and the first week of August is traditionally it for me. Of course, I realize now that the mere fact that I believed this week was going to be nuts, proves how powerful the mind is at manifesting what you think about! While this has been a very balanced week, my plate truly runneth over with engagements and responsibilities at home, at work, at play and at peace. Here’s how it looks for me:

At home, this is birthday week for Joel. We have had special outings and visits each day. He is my quiet introvert who demands very little in terms of attention or material things. When he shows interest in something, I therefore, do what I can to give him pleasure. This week has been full of those types of gestures on my part. I believe it will make memories to last and explains why it is so important to me.

At work, this is a short week because of the civic holiday, but also a week where I prepare for an exciting road trip to New Brunswick. It has always been the busiest week of the year for administration work – admittedly the part of my job that I like the least. Being tied to the computer, especially when the weather is nice is a chore nobody enjoys but, alas, a necessary component of my work.

At play, I have missed the George Street Festival and the Gander Day celebration, ‘adult’ fun times which always take place at the same time each year and hold a certain appeal for me. However, I have infused every day with joyful times as I embrace my inner child at the beach, park, mall, and theatre. I can’t say that I’ve been all work and no play this week, for sure.

At peace, I have been meditating twice daily for a week. Before I get out of bed in the morning, I listen to a CD that helps me visualize the day ahead. I am going for walks each day for exercise and to clear my head. At bedtime, I listen to another that helps relax my mind and body.
You may be thinking, this seems quite well balanced. What’s her problem? It is true that this is a week of balance. The sad part about my current reality is that my physical energy level is low, and my level of patience has been even lower. In an effort to ensure balance, I have committed to doing too many things without paying attention to what I really need. As I said to a friend and colleague, “At times like these, I really need to take my own advice.”

Moving to solution for me is to block out a certain amount of time for home, work, play and peace and stick to it. Assess what I am trying to accomplish in the allotted time and prioritize those items. Whatever doesn’t get done will get done the next day. At these busy times, I must remain focused within those blocks of time so I can easily move from one task to another without concern or guilt. Each task will get my full attention as I will be present. This is my challenge. There are three more days left to my week at work and with the children and I will make the most of them!! And it won’t kill me J

I will take care of myself physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. I will also enlist help to clean my house and do the paperwork that is piling up. Child labour laws don’t exist in my house and nothing says family-togetherness than sorting training materials for Mommy’s workshops!! I have committed to some rewards at the end of the week, too: a barbecue with friends and perhaps a jaunt to the Brigus Blueberry Festival. The truth is that I’m finding what works, living in possibility so that I can embrace my potential. Lesson Learned.