Sometimes it's all just so overwhelming, hey?
I was doing pretty well. In the last eight weeks I've had a baby, parented a newborn and a preschooler, kept up with all child-related and social commitments, worked, travelled, joined a volunteer committee, dealt with being unwell a couple of times, and run a household. All was going okay.
Then Christmas time hit and, quite frankly, it's tipped me over the edge.
I'm pretty sure it's meant to be fun and joyful, all this choosing of gifts and socialising. But this year, on top of everything else, it's just too hard. I can feel the anxious thoughts creeping in, the stress levels rise. I can hear the impatience in my voice as I talk to Abbey in between 'getting stuff done'. And my brain is befuddled and forgetful.
So, what to do? Well, today I cancelled all plans and just stopped. I stayed home with my girls, both of whom are also feeling the effects of this mad time of year. I danced, played and read stories with Abbey, laid on the floor and chatted and laughed with Iris, and gave her big cuddles. Went for a walk to clear my head and talk to my man.
Overwhelm? Gone for now. Ready to get back to it all again tomorrow, with some more clarity.
I think sometimes we just have to listen to the signs and stop, get back to what really counts.
And as for Christmas, well, I know the joy and fun will come again - just like it did today.
How are you going amidst the craziness of the silly season?
Megan, I can relate to this. Two years ago I had a newborn near Christmas time (born November) - and I decided even before he was born that I wouldn't let the Christmas overwhelm get to me. I simply resigned myself that it wasn't going to be a normal Christmas, and I gave myself permission to do nothing! Harder to do than it sounds, but it took the pressure off. I love what you did - just stopping is so important. I bet Abbey will remember these kinds of days more than anything. Beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteYou did the very best thing. Stopping is such a good thing to do, for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing when needs be, all any of us can do really.
xox
I'm very impressed that you just stopped. I think that was a great thing to do. xx
ReplyDeleteYou smart woman.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for recognising the creeping anxiety before it took hold.
I'm still learning how to keep a lid on it here.
:-) xx
You can imagine my world when I say that my man will be turning 3 on Christmas Day... The 25th of December will never be the same again.
ReplyDeleteKnowing when to take time out is a great thing. I don't think that some people realise that this "festive" time of year can also be such an overwhelming one for some of us too.
Nice to hear you had a lovely day with your girls.
You're doing an amazing job lovely. I'm so glad you stopped. We try to have one "stop" day a week if we van though it's harder at this time of year x
ReplyDeleteI think we are feeling the overwhelm here too. You are doing a fabulous job with everything on your plate and what a better way to recoup than a day with your girls.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas x
I think we are feeling the overwhelm here too. You are doing a fabulous job with everything on your plate and what a better way to recoup than a day with your girls.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas x
You were wise to just take that moment. I have 5 children- ages 7, 5,4,2 and 1. I can't even begin to explain what normal looks like at my house! Between keeping the house caught up getting to work, the big ones to school...then throw in a little holiday madness...Sometimes it is a bit more than I think I could stand. Just as you did, I take an afternoon, the activities vary: pass out the ribbon sticks and put on classical music, or cover the wall with paper to help them make a huge hodgepodge of pictures, but either way we end up in a pile of gigles snuggling---I know they wont always want that...So I'll take what I can get!
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