Feeling Overwhelmed

Oh my goodness! Is it Thursday already? My head has been buried in the books for the past week or so. I’m studying for my exam next week. I thought I should come up for air, take a break and write a little.

Quite often we can focus on where we aren’t rather than how far we have come. We have the end goal in sight and forget that there are many milestones along the way. We get stuck in the muck of the big job instead of seeing the ocean of work we have crossed. I’m saying “we” here because I know I am not the only one that can fall into this trap.

It could be easy to get overwhelmed by all my daily responsibilities in addition to studying. I’ve recently learned a method of keeping perspective through it all. The idea is to keep a journal of success and appreciation. In it I write down the things I’ve achieved throughout the week and things I am particularly appreciative of this week. Sounds simple doesn’t it?

I know what you’re thinking; oh no, another journal advocate. I’m not sure I’d call myself an advocate but I know that this one is working for me. I have tried journaling before but I was much younger and it ended up focusing on negative things. It allowed me to obsess and get my frustrations down on paper. I only wrote in it when things weren’t going my way. I was allowing myself to be miserable. Once I realized what that journal was doing to me, I burnt it. It’s an extreme solution isn’t it? I am not a negative person so why on earth would I put negativity on paper?

When this new journal was presented to me I wasn’t sure I would use it but decided to give it a try. I’ve only been using my success/appreciation journal for a few weeks but I’m thrilled by what it has taught me.

This journal forces me to acknowledge what I have accomplished and to appreciate the things that have gotten me this far. I have chosen not to limit my success to only business related items because I feel that personal achievements are important too. I’ll count almost anything in my journal. For example, I’ve entered the installation of a hardwood floor as a success and my related appreciation was for the skill and the physical ability to accomplish the job. I also added appreciation for a husband who is handy and makes the hard work fun and collaborative.

Not only does this journal make me pause and see what I have done, it helps me gain perspective on what is left to do. I have relaxed significantly since seeing that I am making progress; I know things will get done. That doesn’t mean that I don’t still put pressure on myself to accomplish things by a certain date. This practice makes it easier for me to feel good about what is complete and get a better perspective on the work that remains. Removing stress and judgment from my life is a good thing.

Rather than lament on not being where you want to be, take time to celebrate how far you have come. If it takes a journal, or meditation or a long walk to do this, go for it!