From Feeling Overwhelmed to Peace
I’ve been feeling really scattered today. I’m not sure if it was the rush of the morning, or if I’m just simply starting the morning off on a wrong foot. The whole morning, I’ve been feeling a little off and not quite myself.
After rushing to drop off my son at daycare, I rushed home and dove in to the demand of my day. I briefly heard my inner voice telling me to slow down. It told me to dwell in the silence for a few moments, but I didn’t listen. Instead, I shushed it, and listened to my mind by following the urgency of all that I needed to get done.
By the time 1pm rolled around, I started to get overwhelmed at the realization that I hadn’t done anything productive all day, and after reviewing various aspects of my business—which weren’t going as planned-- I started to feel discouraged. I started second guessing myself. I started to question my choices. I felt confused. I felt overwhelmed.
Before bursting into tears, I called my husband.
He said, “We aren’t productive all the time. Sometimes, productivity comes in large bursts, and it’s okay to have days where things aren’t productive.”
“I think you need to change your environment. Why don’t you pack up your laptop, bring your Kindle, head to Starbucks, and spend the rest of the afternoon focusing on relaxing. Go there and take a photo and send it to me as proof that you’ve done it,” he continued.
My instant reaction was, “No, I have so much to do. I think I’ll get more done at home.”
To which he replied, “But you’re asking for my advice, and you’re not taking my advice.”
He was right. A change in environment was what I needed. I packed up my stuff, and headed to Starbucks near our house. So there I was, sitting at Starbucks, with my favorite drink, writing to you and focused on relaxing.
Today, I learned a few things:
- Focusing on feeling relaxed is sometimes what we need to regroup.
- It’s okay to have off days when things aren’t going your way. It may just be a warning to alert us that we need to relax and recharge.
- The need to feel productive is an illusion your mind creates that results in stress and feeling overwhelmed.
- Our inner voice is always looking out for our needs. When it tries to speak to us, listen to it.
- Silence, space and introspection are what we need to reconnect with ourselves to get back to a place of peace and sense of wellbeing. Never neglect the importance of it.
- When we’re feeling unwell, a change in physical environment will help. For example, instead of working from your office, work from a coffee shop.
- How you start your day affects how the rest of the day will go. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. I will make a conscious effort to wake up earlier to create a morning routine that includes centering myself.
--Tina Su
(Photo by Lorraine R)
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