Oh hey there.
Been a while, hasn’t it.
Ehrm….
So here’s the deal. In the last five months, I’ve moved three times and started two new jobs. Two of the moves have been across at least four states away. Factor in very little time to relax and changing time zones, and you’ve got one exhausted Kate.
Since I’ve been so exhausted lately, I’ve learned some of the best (and worst) ways to deal with being tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. And since I haven’t had much luck in brainstorming topics to blog about, I decided to share them with you.
1. Slow Down
The biggest factor in my exhaustion has been that I’ve been going non-stop for the last few months. Weeks are full of working (and learning new jobs, which is even more tiring), weekends are busy settling in to new homes, and evenings are not only shorter than I’m used to after a college schedule, they’re taken up with Skype calls to friends and family, paying bills, and other errands.
And while all those things are important, it’s even more important to slow down.
It’s hard to find that balance of slowing down to save energy and getting everything done, but it’s worth it.
For me, finding balance means making a list. I write down everything I need to do, prioritize, and don’t do more than I need to (unless I have lots of free time). I include things like chores and bills, but I also make a point to put things like writing, Skyping, and taking breaks on the list. That way, not every item is something I’m reluctant to do. I look forward to parts of my list.
2. Do Something Fun
Like I said before, I make a point to include fun or relaxing items on my to-do list. After all, all work and no play makes Kate grouchy and unproductive.
My something fun doesn’t have to be big. Maybe I watch a movie on Netflix while I eat dinner. Maybe I Skype a friend. Maybe I read or write. Or I can do something bigger, like meet a friend for lunch or go to the movies.
The important thing is to intentionally do something that helps you relax.
3. Be Productive But Practical
Going back to the list thing (because I’ve learned to love to-do lists lately) and prioritizing: be practical. Yes, there are a million things that need to get done. But they don’t all have to happen at once.
The answer isn’t to put everything off (as tempting as the prospect is) or try at do it all. The trick is to take it in chunks. Try to get things done, but be smart about it. Know that you can’t do everything at once, so do what you can.
And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up for not doing more.
4. Let Yourself Be Tired
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to be tired. In fact, it’s to be expected. So let yourself be tired.
Don’t be afraid to say “I’m too tired” or “I need to rest”. We live in a society that’s constantly go, go, GO! But we humans need sleep. In fact, we need almost a quarter of our day to sleep. So don’t be ashamed of being exhausted.
Everyday life is tiring enough. Going through big changes only makes things harder.
But guess what.
You can do it. And so can I.
Kate G. Jameson 