Ruby grabbed her red pen and put a line through another job done on her “to do list”.
For a moment she allowed herself to feel accomplished, before looking down at the remaining items still not completed and moaning internally.
This week Ruby felt the pressure. It had been mounting all week. Her job was demanding and the tasks on her list kept growing and growing no matter how many items, she completed.
As soon as Ruby had checked off one item there was always another twenty urgent things waiting for her attention. The pressure to get it all done and as quickly as possible was never ending and exhausting.
It hadn’t always been like this at her work, but the last two years have taken their toll. Ruby’s workplace had been understaffed and under-resourced and she had taken the brunt of an unrealistic workload.
Ruby was worried about her work as she had mortgages and bills to pay and these were non-negotiable. The thought of her workplace having to close, and the resulting financial pressure, was too much for Ruby to think about and bear.
So, Ruby worked hard and long hours, working overtime, including into the evenings and regularly on the weekends, trying to get everything done. All the while feeling more and more tired, anxious, and overwhelmed.
Ruby was living the story of “I feel so overwhelmed”. A story she would need to take control of before it seriously affected both her mental and physical health.
This is not an uncommon story. Many individuals have felt the pressure of a demanding workload, especially after the pandemic.
Juggling all our responsibilities at the same time can be difficult.
However, feeling overwhelmed is more than just everyday stressors. It is the feeling of when everything suddenly feels too much, and we don’t feel like we can cope. It can occur for a short burst of time or over a much longer period.
Regardless of the duration, or the specific triggers, whether they be work overload, lack of sleep, a traumatic experience, or relationship issues, to name a few. The feeling of being overwhelmed can be difficult and uncomfortable and its effects can be felt both in our personal and professional lives.
The good news is that the warning signs are usually there before we hit the point of feeling constantly overwhelmed. We just need to be aware of them and recognise them, so we can act.
So, this week’s challenge seeks to raise awareness and observe the signs of feeling overwhelmed. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you feel tired all the time?
Do you have a demanding job? Working routinely into the evenings and on the weekends? Does everything feel more difficult? Are you constantly angry or confused? Have a lack of focus and feeling overburdened with responsibilities? And do you feel your heart racing and find it difficult to breathe?
The answers to these questions are worth paying attention to as they allow you to act and to adjust your life and lifestyle.
You may have to put in place some healthy boundaries and prioritise what is most important to get done daily. You may also want to practice self-care, including meditation and setting aside “me time” by blocking out time for yourself. Also speaking to a therapist or professional can help you gain a better understanding of feeling overwhelmed and what you can do about it.
Remember that looking after your mental and physical health is important. Together with insight, awareness, and self-care techniques you can support and take care of yourself when things feel overwhelming.
Forever creating
Deborah Ruth
