I can still struggle with overwhelm.

I can still struggle with overwhelm.

It is certainly not as debilitating as it used to be, but still something I need to be mindful of.

Someone asked me recently what was something I struggle with.

Without much thought I said overwhelm.

In the past if things didn’t go exactly according to my schedule I would lose it. I would yell scream and beat myself up for days over something as simple as being out the door 5 minutes later than I planned on.

Because I know I have a tendency to feel frustrated which spirals quickly into overwhelm, I give myself a lot of wiggle room. Not because I can’t handle the frustration but because if I can have “extra” time in between things it allows me to stay present. The extra space allows me to stay in my power and not give it over to a complete stranger that is taking forever at the check out ahead of me or when one of my kids forgets something and we go from exactly on time to now running late.

Over the years, I've learned that my kids are always on their own time, so I plan accordingly. I also know that other people, whether on the road or at a store, have no idea what my time frame is, so I practice giving myself and others a lot of grace.

I was grateful for this questions because it allowed me to reflect and celebrate how far I've actually come. I used to believe overwhelm was unavoidable, but I know now that overwhelm is a choice. And one I choose to not participate in.