We all have things, to varying degrees that we'd like to achieve, places we'd like to go or ideas we'd love to cultivate. So why is it that sometimes all of that just seems like it's too hard and we kind of stop? Then when we stop, we feel even worse about ourselves not achieving the first thing we were trying to do...omg...so much to think about!
Anyway there we are, stuck in the proverbial limbo and feeling worse for it - excellent.
In that space we definitely feel the emotion of overwhelm and all momentum has stopped, we are officially stuck and usually searching for a way out. It's a push-pull kind of feeling, like you're a mouse running on a wheel; No outcome, no change, no end in sight.
To find one of the many possible solutions toward solving this potentially repetitive trap, I've tried to consider what process happens in our minds when we're overwhelmed, and I've come up with believing that the friendship between overwhelm and self-sabotage is a close one. In fact they are besties and if you don't actively try to separate them with a strategy or two, they will become your enemy. They key is to find the point at which overwhelm begins for you, then implementing strategies to diffuse it before it becomes self-sabotage.
So how do we do that?
In my humble opinion, identifying overwhelm is the first step.
1: Notice when those initial feelings of 'giving up' begin. Now if you've been self-sabotaging for years, like me, this will be a challenge to feel, however just listen with no judgement. If you're looking for those moments of truth, you will find them - trust that.
2: Now you've identified the start of the overwhelm, stop right there and take three deep slow breaths. Yep, you are now officially in control of halting the process, rather than the overwhelm turning into self-sabotage and it stopping you in your tracks anyway. Yay!
3: Write a list of what has to be done to achieve the thing that is overwhelming you. And I mean totally chunk in all down into small easily digestible baby steps. Go as small as you can.
4: The next part is only to perform each task, one at a time until completion.
The secret here is no self-pressure, no expectation and to CELEBRATE each step.
There you have it, and I've made it sound soooo simple haven't I! Hahaha!
Look, as far as I can tell, awareness and then effort are the most important ingredients for growth and internal peace, so basically all you're aiming for is noticing, then taking baby steps. It requires lots of surrendering and letting go.
I'm going to try this again with a few things that are stumping me too.
Thanks for reading, Stephie. x