So Overwhelmed

[pi_seas]

Hi all, I just needed to post. I am feeling so overwhelmed right now. I have a lot on my plate. I have made lists and mark off tasks one at a time but I can't help the feeling of being overwhelmed. This is obviously symptomatic of being an ACoA (although I am hesitant to blame all of it on that). How does everyone deal with that feeling of being overwhelmed? As ACoA's and Alcoholics it is easy to give in to these feelings and seek shelter in our good friend Al. But how do you get over the feeling that you are bearing the weight of the world on your shoulders? I guess I just need some support and reassurance that this too shall pass. Thanks all.

[janbear]

:42: pi seas:42: When i feel overwhelmed at this time in my life, i keep it simple and take some time out for just me (it really is ok for us to do that)and my Higher Power who i choose to call God, i may do something nice for myself, sometimes i just need a nap. God wants me to take everything to Him anyway and when i dont do that, that is when i get overwhelmed, It is amazing what happens when i practice step 3 and "let go and let God". Thanks for sharing with us, "Pain shared is pain lessened" :42: And like you said, "This too shall Pass" Believe that!

[fibiray]

Hi pi seas, just my two cents worth hope it helps. Being overwhelmed is common to me too and I find that I get flustered and tend to blow off steam in these times. This only aggravates the situation further. I find that I keep things simple as suggested but I also don't take on too much in the first place. Prayer and meditation are great tools to have in these times and when I find that I am getting overwhelmed I use the serenity prayer. Just ask god to help you to get what needs to be done and you will intuitively learn how to prioritise things. Eventually you will get everything done, but if not that does not matter because you did the best that you could. It is at these times I find that my expectations of myself and others are often way too high which also contributes to my feelings of being overwhelmed. Hope this helps.

Fi

xxx

[Peggyannvt]

I came, I came to, I came to believe. = The first three steps.

I find if I ask God to drive the car, my hands relax on the steering wheel.

If I turn my problems over to Him, I find my load less heavy.

If I try to control the world, I find the load very heavy. If I let Go and Let God, the load is more manageable.

and Fi is correct, as I see it. The Serenity prayer hold's many answers. I often use it as a mantra, going to the dentist for surgery and stuff like that.

:58:

[Kai Stevens]

Hello Pi.

I can definately identify with being overwhelmed. Too much to do, no time. When it really starts to get me, I have to back up and re-prioritize.

I remind myself that my disease puts unrealistic expectations on me. I can not do it all in a day. I can not do it all by myself. But most importantly, my higher power knows what needs done and how to take care of it and if I give it to him and trust in his ability to do it best, then it will all happen in his time, the way it is supposed to.

I still don't like God's timing. And I still tell him about it from time to time. But EVERYTIME I let him take care of life, it works out better than I ever could have hoped.

Today, I no longer set out to do God's work. Today, I let God work through me.

Love ya later. Kai

[free2bunme]

Hey Pi Seas (very clever name -- i'm curious, are you a pisces or referring to the book Pi or something completely different....?)

I too tend to get overwhelmed ... that brain starts running around in circles, i feel panicky, like i can't breathe or will die if i don't get some relief RIGHT NOW! What helps me is to close my eyes and take DEEP breaths from the GUT. I take a deep breath in from the depths of my stomach and push my stomach out. When I can't take in any more air, I hold my breath for a couple of seconds before pushing it back out with my mouth, even making a sound. I hope this makes sense. It really helps me.

[clean42day]

I do what everyone else does....I give it to God, take a beather, calm down and rest. We are human beings, not human doings.

Take a look at animals and use thier example. They rest when they are tired, they eat when they are hungry, they play when they have energy...in other words they "pay attention to thier bodies and needs first".

feeling overwhelmed is a sure sign from your body, mind, and spirit....to slow down, to stop, be still, use some silence to get centered again. replenish your spirit and gather energy, till you don't feel overwhemed anymore.

but many times we humans take being overwhemed and use it to try to "control things more" try to play catch up, or use it as a sign of weekness and try to beat ourselves up.

There has to be an 'input' if you want to have an 'output'.

examine what you are putting into your life....before you expect yourself to be super human.

and also the word "no" is a great tool to use to keep ourselves from taking on too much.

God can help you with that.

light and love
Gail

[flickchic]

Hello pi seas,

feeling overwhelmed is a sure sign from your body, mind, and spirit....to slow down, to stop, be still, use some silence to get centered again. replenish your spirit and gather energy, till you don't feel overwhemed anymore.
:1: I agree. sometimes it can "feel" as if we have too much to do and not enough time to do it in, so much on the plate and incessant "thinking"; have to do this have to do that, am not coping etc., you've taken a step I find difficult to do sometimes; posting, sharing and reaching out for help!!!!:29: well done!! yes, sometimes we do need to re-prioritise that list, STOP and relax, I too find mediation, time with my HP, whom I call God, and yes the Serinity Prayer very helpful. Even if it is only for 10 mins, sit and breath, as Frannie shared, DEEP FROM THE BELLY, I was recently given a sheet on doing this, focus on nothing else but your stomach, be aware of each breath in and each breath out, and the movements of your belly as you do. I was amazed at how good it feels and how it helped me relax, then in the midst of turmoil I found it easier to "go within" and simplly be, be with my HP and become grounded again to know I could continue, even if only for a few hours and then do it all over again, "AWARENESS" of self and self needs to take time out is sooooooo important!!!!!

I pray you are able to take time for self and find a way to meditate that is useful for "you".:42:

http://d21c.com/kiddlehopper/12stepgraphics/awake.jpghttp://d21c.com/kiddlehopper/12stepgraphics/icant.gif
God Bless.

[Doraine]

Hi Pi
Yes this too shall pass. Everything is temporary good times and bad. Are you taking on more than you can reasonably handle? I like to do one thing at a time before you know it everything gets done. Like everyone said take time out for yourself.

[fibiray]

I just like to add and I hope this helps too, but I find that when I am overwhelmed I usually find it difficult to get my thinking to focus on the strategies that have been suggested so what I do is that I put a blue ribbon around my wrist to remind me that in a time when i feel overwhelmed to keep focused on what is the most important , to remain calm by saying the serenity prayer and to not let myself get to the anger stage. There may be other things that you could use, for example a particular piece of jewelery that you haven't worn for some time may help in reminding you to pray or to simply say a word that will bring you calm in your hour of need.
hope this helps.

[free2bunme]

hey pi,

you may want to check out these resources for how to not get overwhelmed in your life:


Breathe by Keri Wyatt Kent

Women Who Do Too Much by Patricia Sprinkle

A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by TerKeurst and Jaynes