Are you feeling exhausted trying to multi-task
and juggle the demands in your life? Are you feeling exhausted parenting
small children, taking care of an aging or sick parent, commuting too many
hours or working two jobs just make ends meet?
Feelings of anxiety, guilt and resentment will happen when you feel
your life is out of control. You can become impatient, irritable,
depressed, emotionally distant from loved ones and angry.
Remember to delegate some duties. Each day make a list of your top
priorities. Say "no" to unnecessary demands and requests that
do not honor your goals and time. Plan ahead and communicate your needs
to avoid delays, mistakes, long lines, traffic, arguments and headaches.
Striving for perfection creates stress and disappointments. Learning
to be patient and forgiving with yourself, will help you learn to be
patient and forgiving toward others.
Unfortunately, too many women have been socialized to think they are
being selfish if they spend time and money on their own well-being. They
become martyrs, doormats, sick, invisible, depressed, angry and tired.
Take off your superwoman cape. If you don't learn to take care of yourself,
resentment will grow towards those you take care of.
Make a list of your priorities for the day. Remember to put yourself
on the list. It is essential for your sanity, health and productivity to
relax in order to replenish your mind, body, and spirit. Getting calm
allows you to get a fresh perspective and helps you cope better
physically and emotionally with your troubles. Being able to control at
least one aspect of your life, in this case time to yourself, helps you
to get a grip on the rest of your life. It only takes a few moments to
renew yourself. i.e. go for
a walk, listen to some music,
enjoy your favorite food, write in your journal, enjoy your own solitude,
have a good cry to release the pressure, turn off the phone, change your
scenery, spend time on your dreams and goals, enjoy your crafts, take a
nap, pray, call a friend, get your body pampered or read your book. You
can gain strength from periods of solitude and reflection. Doing something
for you, without guilt, will reduce the chances of you feeling so impatient
and frazzled when serving others. You can't control people or circumstances
but you can learn to observe your reactions and balance what and who gets
your time, joy and power. "To lose patience is to lose the battle. " ~
Mahatma Gandhi
Feelings
of impatience and stress are a sign to re-evaluate your reactions to
what you cannot control or a wake up call to change what you can control.
Frustration happens when you think your life is out of control or you
wish you could control others. It happens when you believe people or
progress in your life are not moving along according to your script.
