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You have a to do list and it is longer than your week. And then, when you’re at your wits end, you remember about a deadline you completely forgot about. Now it is time to hide because you can't face your potential failure of not being able to complete your responsibilities.
STOP, drop and roll. Well, not the drop and roll part but stop, breathe and breathe again! The example I like to use is a rubber band ball. You add one at a time and it slowly becomes larger. The more rubber bands tangled together, the longer it takes to undo. Once the buildup is there, it is harder but not impossible to work it out.
Break down your list into categories. Try immediate needs with deadlines, tasks that could be pushed off a little bit even if not ideal. Lastly, that list you had for a long time such as organizing your room that will be okay if you don’t get around to it for another while.
It is so easy to stress out when you start seeing there is more work than you feel you can accomplish. That is okay. After high school, I went to college for 6 years. At the end of each semester, I happily crossed one off my list. I counted what I did so I can stay focused on the end goal by seeing the step I already took. Imagine the difference in my attitude if I would have said I only finished one semester and I have five and a half years left? The end result would have been the same. The difference would be how I felt during this time. It would have felt endless.
Sometimes we really cannot physically accomplish everything and there could be negative results. If that is the case, it won’t change if you do or don’t stress about it. Regardless of your reaction, if there is any possibility in you getting through as much as possible in the limited time period, staying calm and focused will ensure this.
When you start feeling the stress, before it build up, take a break! Regroup. Figure out the best way to organize your time with the best results overall. Don’t let the rubber band ball accumulate to the point it is extremely difficult.
Zahavah Fishfeld, LMHC is a licensed therapist who focuses on relationships, self-esteem and self growth. She offers a phone consultation as well as sessions in person and through video. Her offices are located in Flatbush and Crown Heights. She can be reached at 845-596-1321 and zahavahsel@gmail.com.