Feeling overwhelmed? It could be because things are overwhelming
A short one today. I had another post all set to go, which I’d written earlier this week, but already things have changed and it wasn’t right for today.
Here in New South Wales and Queensland, terrible floods mean tens of thousands of people have lost their homes and they are facing rebuilding amid shortages of food, water, power. Of course, the appalling violence in Ukraine is ongoing. Bon mots from an executive coach about thriving in your professional job didn’t seem quite the thing.
And of course, people everywhere are facing the personal catastrophes that don’t make the news: illness, job loss, the death of loved ones… the list goes on.
I think my message for today is just this: if you feel overwhelmed, consider that that might be because things are overwhelming. Don’t make yourself wrong for feeling how you do. We are finite humans and our capacities can be overwhelmed. It’s ok. Adding a “should” to your response (“I should be able to handle this”) actually only makes it more overwhelming.
What do you think can help people when they are facing something overwhelming? On my list are: kindness to yourself, kindness to others, talking it through, and offering and receiving help wherever you can. As I have worked with people through the worst times of COVID over the past two years, I’ve seen all this help. It doesn’t magically fix a terrible situation - it just helps. Judging yourself or others for not being on top of things is definitely not on the list.
Until next week,
Take care of yourself and others
Madeleine
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