One Step at a Time
Have you every felt completely overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead of you or the circumstances of your life? Are you feeling that way right now? I definitely feel that way sometimes to the point that I don’t know where to start. I want to share some thoughts about how to take steps to get unstuck and move forward.
My husband and I are homeowners and have been putting off a number of projects that need our attention. We recently talked about this growing list of projects and how overwhelmed we both felt about everything involved in completing the work. We decided that it was time to prioritize our list and get started. My incredibly organized husband developed a prioritized list of smaller tasks or steps that will be required to complete each project. That has made all the difference and we have started checking tasks off the list which feels so good. I am really looking forward to accomplishing the things that have been bothering me for months or years.
Sometimes we can also get stuck in grief or anxiety or depression, and it’s hard to see a way forward. Several of my friends just dropped their kids off at college and said they left a piece of their hearts on those respective campuses. Others of us are grieving family members or friends who we have lost due to death or estrangement. Many people struggle with their mental health on an ongoing basis and have some really dark days, weeks or years. There may not be easy solutions or cures that work for every person, but if you can find one small thing that you can do each day or one thing to be grateful for, somehow you can keep going and start to find your way out of the darkness or rut.
We always need to be kind and patient with ourselves and others, especially when going through difficult illnesses or circumstances. We need to find the courage to ask for help because we were not meant to do life alone and bear burdens on our own. In some situations, medication may be needed to help us either temporarily or long term. There is no shame in getting pharmacological or psychological help when necessary. It may take some time to find the right therapist or the right medication and dose, so try to be patient and persistent until you find them.
Here are a few other ideas to help get out of a rut and find some joy:
Put on your favorite playlist or album. You might even sing along or dance around.
Take up a new hobby that you have always wanted to try. Next, invite a friend to join you, or look for new friends who share your interests.
Get a pet or spend time with pets you already have. If you don’t have or can’t have an animal, volunteer at an animal shelter or ask a neighbor if you can walk their dog.
Start moving. Find a way to exercise that is a good fit for you, and keep doing it at least a few days a week.
Watch a new show or movie that is fun and/or uplifting.
Read a book or take a class about something that interests you.
Start a gratitude journal or put a note on your mirror saying “Today I am grateful for…”.
Maybe you have other ideas or stories to share about difficult times and how you took steps to get unstuck. Please share in the comments below to help others. And remember that you are loved and enough just as you are, and so is everyone else. Have a great week and stay cool!
Another good article!