My Tip to Get Over Overwhelm

Wimberley Flood 2015

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed are times when it helps to be the most centered emotionally and mentally, but it’s often when we feel the worse. 

For those who may not be familiar with my story, first, here’s background on why I was on the brink of not knowing how to handle everything. Then, onto my confirmation that this super simple tip works.

The background

One of the most challenging years in my life (and to reach that height is saying something) began Memorial Day weekend four years ago. 

Unprecedented flooding occurred when the Blanco River rose to a record 40.21 feet before it knocked out the flood gauge. It took 2 1/2 hours for the water to rise 31 feet as it washed away homes and people to their demise.

Although my house wasn’t part of that disaster, little did I realize this was the beginning of my personal nightmare for six months followed by another six months of new challenges.

I had dinner with a friend in a neighboring town, and left my back door open to the screened porch, when weeks of sunny skies suddenly turned to a violent storm. The rain hit the ground with such ferocity that it jettisoned mold spores into my home.

Long story short, I suffered from mold throughout my house: in my furniture, dry wall, cupboards and me. Inhaling mold not only had me breathing like a zombie but created an opiate effect on my brain so I couldn’t think straight, laid in bed like I was drugged, and sometimes I couldn’t put a sentence together to talk to people.

When I woke up out of this stupor and realized what a fix I was in, I panicked.

Miraculously, instead of years, I managed to get somewhat back on track in six months. 

I had about a month of normalcy and then the next crisis came. My cat became very ill.

I suppose most people would have put her to sleep after being told by multiple vets there was nothing to be done when her thyroid levels were over four times what they should be and her weight dropped from 15# to 7# in three weeks.

But she made it clear to me that she wasn’t ready to leave yet.

That came with a price.

For six months, I was awakened by her every night, cleaning up because of her illness, so I could only get three hours of sleep at a time. I can assure you that sleep deprivation over so many months takes its toll. Finally, she let me know it was time to go.

At that point I was exhausted, and my life felt like it was in near shambles.

A trusted coach, who I thought understood my situation and had my back, thought I liked the drama, which she mentioned during a guided meditation for me. Ouch! Maybe she thought because it was just a cat and not a parent that I should’ve put her to sleep against her will.

That was the best and worst of times. The best because years of lessons were condensed in months, not a lifetime. 

Talk about overwhelm! My life was assaulted on every level: my physical and brain health, financially, emotionally, unsupported by so-called trusted confidants, my home in disarray, unknown business direction and on and on.

So many things to deal with. I wanted to get my life back and have everything in order yesterday. Every effort seemed so miniscule compared to the task at hand.

How could I ever turn it around?

Just take a step at a time.

Focusing on this simple tip got me out of that deep hole, step at a time.

As simplistic as it sounds, focusing on one project at a time both relieves pressure and fosters progress, as reported by my clients’ experiences, too. 

It still works for me.

For example, in the beginning of this year I focused on educating myself with 45 hours of a variety of free, online health docuseries. The result is that I went on a keto diet, my weight is 25# less than it was a few months ago, the arthritis in my lower back is completely gone and I feel the best I’ve felt in decades.

I focused. I was patient with my progress and myself.

Instead of pacing ourselves, we often want to do everything at once, but life usually doesn’t work like that in the long run. Or we end up doing little or nothing except complain about how much we have to do.

During stressful times, it’s easy to feel like a failure. The step at a time approach redirects attention to what’s working and how you’re moving forward and doing well.

If you’re like most people, you’ve got a stockpile of things that need to be done. Maybe you feel discouraged and that you’ll never get ahead.

You can.

Hold the VISION of seeing your ideal life that’s on the other side of your To Do lists or crises, and STEP AT A TIME you’ll arrive at your destination or someplace better.


Could you use support in
what steps to take?
Contact me
for a complimentary
Do What You Love Break Free Session.

Email me at:
virginia@soulgoals.com

I work with people
who choose to share their gifts
or business in a BIGGER way
but don’t know how, feel stuck
or would benefit from new tools
or support.

I help them be richly compensated
doing what they love by discovering
their Soul’s goals.

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Are You Having Fun Yet?

 

I was fortunate. I didn’t lose my home or life from floods that caused FEMA to take residence in my town for several months a couple of years ago. However, months of dealing with mold in my house and body took a heavy toll on my health and finances.

Even though three vets told me there was nothing to do for my sick cat, and one suggested I put her to sleep, she decided she wasn’t ready to go and stayed with me for two more years. This translated to round-the-clock caretaking that exhausted me.

After all that passed, including my precious companion, I knew it was essential to go out and participate in life again.

Otherwise, my focus would’ve been stuck on the adversities of my past. As like attracts like, it would’ve put me on a downward spiral to the “same ole, same (challenging) ole.”

A road trip beckoned that awakened me to enjoy life. Since then, I’ve been finding ways to have fun and laugh – from an entertaining drag show to an airboat ride on the Colorado River to a free Bollywood dance class on the same stage that the ballet uses. For months, every week I saw new-to-me performances, including music from around the world to The Temptations and Four Tops.

Additionally, there were art museums, plays, ziplining, hiking at state parks, restaurants, massages and a sake tour.

There are magnets on my fridge holding ticket stubs and flyers from the many programs I attended, reminding me to continue to play.

By the way, thanks to online deals from companies like Groupon, LivingSocial and Travelzoo, fun things to do can be found super cheap. Many museums have a day or weekend every month where you can go for free, and some concert halls offer 2 for 1 specials.

In the process of getting out, I rested, had fun, got my mojo back and felt like I was living again. My business grew, too.

When I decided it was time to settle down and get back to work, and didn’t go out for a few weeks, my business and income slowed down, too! 

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I remember the exact instance, before I started to play, when this thought came to me:  If I died and went to the other side, what would I say I’d done for myself?

My answer was: I almost got caught up. So many things on my To Do list were getting done, but there was so much left to do. And, yes, I’ve helped a lot of people and have accomplishments.

But what about me?

What would you say about how you’ve had fun and taken care of yourself?

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I’ve recognized that when I don’t take time to play, the inflow and outflow of life energy becomes out of balance.

It reminds me of Mastermind Principle #6 from my course Resolved for Results:  I believe I am worthy and deserve to achieve my goals or something better, and I choose to use my personal empowerment on my behalf, which allows me to serve life more fully.

What’s your legacy beyond family, work, accomplishments and making money?

Are you having fun yet?

Life is designed to be satisfying. If it’s not, it’s time to change your perspective, and do something different.

The weird thing is that when we break free from primarily focusing on the dutiful acts that we have to do, and include time to play, our lives, business and work improve.

Old age is no longer another notch on the yearly calendar. Age is a state of mind. A way of being.

Look at life as energy and vibration. When you raise your energy by having fun, you’re on the wavelength to attract longevity, more money, better clients, relationships and health.

If you haven’t already, you now can give yourself permission to play, have fun and enjoy the rich variety that the world has to offer.

Before, I didn’t even know what it meant to play.

Where to start? Find one activity that looks interesting and do it.

Have you ever been not that hungry? Then after a eating few bites, you realized you couldn’t stop. Playing and fun can be like that, too.

By creating more fun, as well as sharing it, you might even spark romance!

Are you ready to make this lifetime count beyond work, duties and survival? Go have fun!

With playful gratitude,

Virginia

P.S. Know someone who might enjoy reading this? Please forward.

I work with people who choose to share their gifts or business in a BIGGER way but don’t know how or feel stuck. I help them ignite their Soul’s goals and be richly compensated doing what they love.