With two young kids, working part time, living in another country far from family, sometimes I can feel overwhelmed. Especially before a deadline, or when I have made a mistake at work or had a hard conversation with a friend (I know my weaknesses!). On those overwhelming days, I find it hard to get things done. I feel like the list of things to do is so long, that I can’t even get started, or even the simplest of tasks feel difficult and heavier than they actually are, because I’m under all the emotional pressure of everything else. Am I the only one that feels that way? What do you do when you feel overwhelmed, or under pressure? Do you ever freak out, or panic? Sometimes I feel like shouting into a pillow or going to the boxing gym to let it all out!

Well, I can’t just start yelling or punching things at home, I don’t want to frighten my family or my daughters. So what is one thing I can do to get myself out of that “overwhelmed” mindset or sudden panic attack?

1. Take deep breaths.
2. Focus on one item in your room physically in front of you, instead of the problems you think you need to face in the day.
3. If you’re Christian, turn your worries into prayer “God, help!” is an easy prayer you can say any time anywhere. Learn more about ‘Simple Prayer’ here.
4. Ask yourself ‘what’s one simple thing I can do right now to get the ball rolling?’ and take that one simple step.
5. Take another step.
6. Then take another step.
7. Keep taking it one step at a time.
8. Before you know it, you’re moving forward.

　I used to really struggle with this. I used to panic or dread the day already in the morning, thinking of the problems I have to face, or dreading some conversations I would have, or expecting the worst — what an awfully unhealthy mindset! It started in my mind, and then my body felt heavy and weak, and then I lost my drive to do anything. I forgot the important of being grateful, and focused on all the negative, when I could have re-focused on the good of every day, and focus on the positive or things to be grateful for instead. 

But when I was still struggling with thinking negatively as a bad habit, I had to consciously tell myself: “breathe, and take it one step at a time. Take it slow, take it easy.” As simple as “get up” or “take a shower.” Those small accomplishments gave me a sense of “I can do this” and it started the momentum of getting things done and moving forward. On really hard mornings, I even started counting down “3-2-1” and force myself to roll out of bed at “1.”

I found it even easier when I asked myself “what’s one thing I could look forward to today? What makes me happy that I can do right now?” For example, when I felt tired even after a full night’s sleep because I was emotionally drained (caused by negative thinking, grrr! Don’t forget to clean your heart everyone!), I know I like coffee, so I’d just tell myself in the morning, “I’ll make myself a cup of coffee.” And that already helped me step out of bed. I also know I like watching dramas or movies, so I would tell myself, “I’ll work and clean the house as much as I can until this time, then reward myself with one episode as rest, then tackle more chores and work in the afternoon.” And that really helped me move forward.

For moms, I know discipline and chores can drain us physically and emotionally. When I started to thank God for my girls and compliment them on how great they’re doing in their gifts, instead of focus on their weaknesses, it became so much easier to for me to hug them and love on them – and those hugs give us a lot of positivity too!!

One step at a time. One day at a time.

Checklists are also a great positivity booster, as you get that sense of accomplishment when you physically cross out the items with a pen on your list of things to do one by one. It’s exhilarating!

So, whenever you find yourself in a freak out or a panic, what’s one small step you can take right now?

What do you do when you “freak out?” Take deep breaths, or meditate? Count your blessings? Let us know!

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Thank you~