When things just get too much

So naturally, everyone experiences different things in their lives and we all face different hardships. The issue we often face is that these problems go unseen by most, no matter how much we may be 'crying out for help' or even really trying to hide it. throughout my life, I have had a few setbacks, and a few issues (just like everyone else!).

Something that I have learned is that when things just all seem to be going really stupendously wrong, I have to stop. I have to stop freaking out, stop crying, stop overthinking things, just stop reacting. I have a tendency to overreact to most situations, whether they are good or bad which obviously isn't going to end well. recently I was in a situation and I literally though it was the end of the world. I thought everyone was against me, everyone hated me, I even cried myself to sleep that night and it took someone telling me that I need to "grow up" to snap me out of it. it was literally like a slap in the face but it was strangely what I needed. It was a kick up the bum to get my act together and start being more productive and use my time better.

Prioritise
During my time in Sixth form, I was introduced to something called 'eating the frog' which is where when deciding what you're going to do that day, you begin the day with the thing that you are dreading the most. Once you have done it, its a huge weight off your shoulders, you feel so much more positive and its thoroughly motivating because you feel as though you have accomplished a lot. When choosing my frog, I take into consideration the timing of each thing and when the deadlines (if there is one) are. My tip to you overall is to not do the easy things that have no real rush to them. It causes the huge things to get more time consuming because there's so little time left.

Take time out for yourself
When everything seems to be piling on top of you, everyone tends to just try to get through as much of the issue as they can at once. One prime example of this is work. whenever I have a lot of work to do, I always began the task with doing little bits thinking that it was enough and I would "do more the next day"...Obviously this didn't happen half the time. Then when deadlines start to creep up, I panic. I try to do all of the work in one huge chunk, which causes my insomnia to rear its ugly head. In turn this actually makes it harder to concentrate and therefore frustrates me and makes me emotional because although I realistically know that I am able to do something, I physically and intellectually cannot due to the circumstances. I have to do work in small chunks, taking time out just to stretch my legs, go for a walk, pet an animal, have a conversation for someone, or even something as simple as going to make yourself a hot drink. I like to follow the idea that until the drink has cooled enough for me to drink it (and has been drunk) I do not touch one single textbook, notepad, keyboard etc. This would give me the time that I needed to keep calm and not essentially fry my brain.

Overall, whenever you're having a tough time, don't be hard on yourself, be open to asking for and accepting help and lastly, have hope. everything will be okay.

Stay strong,
Louise x