So last week I wrote about Why It’s Ok Not To Be Perfect. I know it’s something that struck a chord, as many of you emailed me to say you had also been feeling this way. However, being the imperfect woman I am, the link to the full blog post was broken, so here it is again! Read it here. My website is currently getting a makeover so that’s why we’ve had a few technical gremlins, but it should all be up and running and looking beautiful any day now!
Anyway, after talking about why it’s ok not to be perfect, and admitting that I’ve had days in my business where I’ve literally cried my eyes out in frustration, I thought it might be useful to write about what positive things you can do when it all gets a bit much.
You know, when you get what Holly Golightly would call the Mean Reds. Tell me you’re a Breakfast At Tiffany’s fan too??
Anyway, Holly, talks about having bouts of anxiety called the Mean Reds, which are much worse than just having the blues:
“The blues are because you’re getting fat, and maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re just sad, that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid, and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?”
So, what to do when you’re feeling like that? Here are some tips that work for me:
1. Switch off
Step away from the computer. Put down your iPad. Give yourself 30 minutes technology-free time. We get so caught up with reading emails, checking Facebook, tweeting, instagraming, Pinning, and all the rest of it that sometimes it can feel good just to switch off and have a break from everything technology-related. Oh, and no reading your phone at night. I struggle to get to sleep when I read my phone in bed so am trying to stop doing it!
2. Get outside
Sometimes, it gets to the end of the day, and I realise I’ve not been out the house all day (apart from the five minute walk to the childminders, which barely counts!) I know that I feel better mentally when I take the time to have a 15-minute walk to the local shops, or a quick stroll round the local park. Fresh air is good for blasting that negativity away.
3. Listen to some uplifting music
The other day I was feeling so stressed, I had so much to do and didn’t know how I was going to get it done. And then a really catchy song came on the radio and I swear my mood instantly lifted. If you can’t work with music on, just give yourself a blast of your favourite tunes when you’re having a break. I love finding new playlists on Spotify to listen to and when I need a boost I turn them up LOUD! (Sometimes I take a break to dance around my office, but shh, don’t tell anyone).
4. Hydrate
Tense, nervous headache? The last thing you want when you’re feeling overwhelmed is the double whammy of a headache as well, so if you’re feeling stressed out, it’s a good idea to take a break for some H2O. I’m so bad at remembering to drink water and normally only remember to do it when I’m really thirsty and on the verge of dehydration! So I’ve started drinking glasses of water with ice when I’m working – psychologically it makes it less boring to me than normal water (I know, weird right?) and it wakes me up when I’m flagging.
5. Practice gratitude
Recently, I’ve started making a point every week to write down everything I’m grateful for. It’s an exercise that really helps you to keep things in perspective, especially if you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed. So if I’m ever having a bad day, I try to just take a few moments to jot down ten things I’m grateful for. Go on, try it, I guarantee you’ll feel better afterwards.
Over to you lady, what are your tips for dealing with overwhelm? Post them below!
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