On curbing the overwhelm of November

November is without doubt one of the busiest months of the yr.

It’s the month the place every thing is in full swing: work, faculty, after faculty actions, social outings; life basically.

It’s nearly like every thing must be accomplished this month, earlier than we enter the vacation season and the yr is over!

Including to this, in my household, now we have one other layer of emotional overwhelm as my dad and mom have retired and can transfer to India this month, after 25 years of dwelling in Dubai.

I received’t deny that I’m struggling a wee bit. Typically as busy mums, we don’t take the time to cease and acknowledge the emotional depth of every thing on our plate.

I usually resort to Stoic philosophy after I’m attempting to rationalize or deal with overwhelm.

Stoicism is an historical Greco-Roman philosophy that I got here throughout a few years in the past after I learn a letter on The Shortness of Life by Stoic thinker Seneca. This lead me to studying the e-book Letters from a Stoic, and I used to be hooked.

Writer and author Ryan Vacation is a modern-day Stoic and has written books to assist perceive it. He calls Stoicism “….a software within the pursuit of self-mastery, perseverance, and knowledge: one thing one makes use of to dwell an awesome life.”

Stoicism is usually equated to being impassive however I don’t suppose it’s that in any respect. Here’s a 5 minute abstract on it.

I just lately learn that “stress is extra your notion of what’s taking place”. It’s “your response to what you understand is going on”.

There’s a line within the film ‘Bridge of Spies’, the place Tom Hanks asks the Russian spy on numerous events if he was frightened about the potential for not being acknowledged as Russian; about being electrocuted and about being gunned down – the reply to which all the time was a Stoic….“would it not assist?”

After all, worrying wouldn’t assist.

If you consider it that manner you understand that they manner you react to overwhelm is in your management. And worrying about what is just not in your management, is effectively, pointless.

You possibly can watch the clips from Bridge of Spies, right here:

• Holding perspective: Reminding myself that my worries are small and actually not a giant deal within the huge image of issues.

• Gratitude: Reminding myself of all of the issues I’m blessed with.

• Saying no: Being okay with saying no to no matter is outdoors of my bandwidth in the meanwhile, regardless of how a lot I’ll need to do it.

• Having lazer focus: Lazer focussing my efforts on what I have to do and can’t delay; and leaving every thing else for an additional time.

• Being current with my youngsters: Often after we are overwhelmed, we are likely to take it out on our family members, kids included. The youngsters don’t deserve it and it makes you are feeling worse So, when it’s time to be with my youngsters, I’m attempting my finest to place every thing else apart, and be current with them.

• Prioritizing relaxation: Overwhelm will get worse when you find yourself drained. Relaxation is a sport changer.

• A great cry: Nothing is as therapeutic as a superb cry. I had one final night time and really feel significantly better right this moment. Typically all you want is a cry.

If you’re feeling overwhelm this November like I’m, I hope this helped you.

If there may be something you do to assist your overwhelm, please share it right here so we will all be taught from you too 🙂

Depart a remark

Have an awesome week.

Love,

Abha x