It’s just too much

There are days when, for a combination of reasons, it’s just too much.  I’m usually a glass half full sort of person, but some days it’s just too much and I’m tired.  And on those days, I need to step away.

There are days when it feels like it’s all just piling on, and it won’t stop.  There are days when I feel like I can’t catch a break. There are days when it feels like for every step I’ve taken forward, I’ve taken two backwards and I’m not sure if I will ever make true progress.  There are days when I feel like I’m fighting the fight alone, and I’m not sure where everyone else is.

These days happen, and it’s ok.  And I try to keep my perspective and mindset.  I try to remember that if I can just step away for a bit then I’ll be ok.  And so, I step away.

Today was one of those days.  So, I stepped away. I left work at the end of a long week, not even close to finished with what I needed to finish but knowing it will be there again later.  And knowing that if I just quit all of this tomorrow, I’ll also be OK. I came home and went for a walk with my husband. He was kind enough to listen to me vent for a 45-minute walk.  Then I meditated for 23 minutes, and it was amazing. I feel better already. It’s not perfect. I’m still feeling overwhelmed, but I took some time for recovery and I am now feeling better about the state of things.  Today my recovery was 68 minutes (45 minute walk + 23 minute meditation), but some days it might just be 5 minutes alone in my car and even that can make a difference. 5 minutes of silence, 5 minutes of reflecting on all you have to be grateful for, 5 minutes of going outside in nature, 5 minutes of playing with your kids and focusing on them, 5 minutes of writing, or 5 minutes of whatever helps you recover.  I also find reading or listening to a good book on productivity or life perspective can help me to reframe my mindset and recover. These topics may not appeal to everyone, but for me they really help. A few top of mind ones for feeling overwhelmed and needing some advice and perspective:

• Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
• 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
• Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

Next time you’re feeling like it’s all too much, step away and focus on your own form of recovery.

How do you like to recover?