Overwhelmed

Doesn’t life seem overwhelming at times? How will I get it all done? How will I keep up with it? I do not even have the energy to start!

Life is feeling that way right now as I look around and see all the things that need to be done post hurricane. The pool looks like a swamp. The yard looks like a tree farm that went terribly wrong. And the deck looks like a garage sale that ended badly. Inside there are generator extension cords, cases of bottled water and tools for a variety of hurricane projects strewn throughout the rooms. Everything is a mess. This is all after spending days cleaning and regrouping (see yesterday’s post).

I want it cleaned up NOW. I am not happy to say this because I want to see myself as a patient person, at least more than the rest of our culture, but I guess I am not. I wonder what makes us such a hurry-up society? Why are we trying to get things done immediately? What happens if it takes longer? I guess the questions are rhetorical ones and there are no good answers. So how do I handle the urge without stressing out and making my Parkinson’s worse and driving my husband crazy?

First, keep life in perspective. We are lucky to be alive and we are lucky that our home is still standing and repairable. The small stuff is just that, small! So I have decided to plan my next few days accordingly.

Each day will begin with a cup of tea (or two) and a moment to count my blessings.

Then I will begin the tasks at hand whatever I choose for that day. I already know that tomorrow I will clean out my clothes closet since the ceiling needs repair due to damage from the hurricane. In addition, I will include some fun everyday. Tomorrow’s fun will be crafts. I have a new kit to make cards and it will be a good distraction. Finally, I will include a time to relax with my husband and my family. Too often we become so self-consumed with the work we are doing that we forget to take time for our loved ones, including our pets.

The next day and the day after that I will do the same. Approaching the tasks one at a time and remembering that the journey is as important as the destination are strategies that work for me. Things will get done and life will go on. Fighting the feeling of being overwhelmed is a struggle that is worth the effort. It is a form of worrying that only causes physical and mental stress, not good for my Parkinson’s. Just as I take meds to control the symptoms of PD, I need to treat the emotional issues in order to reduce the stress. Prayers, self-talk and good planning are all methods to deal with feelings of being overwhelmed. Addressing the reality of the situation is very important. Keeping busy is valuable, but not at the cost of denying the feelings. Being overwhelmed is a state of mind that I can have control over if I choose it. I am approaching the feeling of being overwhelmed differently this time. I am simply removing the word from my vocabulary! Try it and see what happens…..