How do you keep from getting overwhelmed?

[whiteraven]

It seems like, when one thing happens in my life that is a challenge, several happen. When one person dies, three more do. When one thing breaks, several other things do as well. This happens so often to me that I've come to anticipate it. I think I anticipate in order to try to control the outcome or, at least, prepare for it, but neither ever happens. I always end up being overwhelmed in the end.

For example, I started having pain in my right foot about 2 months ago. It probably followed a fall, although I'm not sure since I really wasn't hurt at the time. About a month ago, I started having a lot of trouble walking on the other foot because of (new) pain in the region of the Achilles tendon. Now, I have an ingrown and infected toenail. Along with my medical issues (of which those were just a couple), my furnace just broke tonight and my dishwasher last night.

Oh, and my therapist is gone for the next 2 weeks. LOL

How do you keep from being overwhelmed by the "little" things of everyday life?

 

[EveHarrington]

Stop.

Breathe.

<use coping skills>
——for me this is praying, calming my parts, using visualization, grounding, distraction, texting friends, etc

Take a break.


I get VERY overwhelmed by LITTLE things.

Today’s overwhelming event? I was in the frozen section of Target trying to pick out meals. Maybe this sounds silly, but when you’re 24/7 nauseous and trying to find food you can choke down, this feels VERY overwhelming. Yeah, my food situation is so bad I’m deficient in certain nutrients and it’s affecting my health. Not fun.

 

[Sideways]

How do you keep from being overwhelmed by the "little" things of everyday life?

Something I’m asking myself right now.

My inner therapist is telling me, “Some of this stuff isn’t that little Ragdoll, and stressors add up quickly even when they are small, so try some self compassion” <swats away pesky inner therapist>.

I ran out of money this week. That seemed to cue the cascade of other stressors, like they work best in teams. Self care. Gotta pull out the self care and refocus on the simple stuff: eat, exercise, sleep, and water the plants. Everything else just became bonus.

 

[Deleted member 541]

I don’t think this is even a PTSD thing. It’s called life and even people without PTSD would be stressed with all of that shit. They just kind of deal with it. I’m just not sure how. With me, I try and tackle one thing at a time, much like a check list. I deal with what I can and what I can’t deal with myself, I find help with the rest. I call a professional.

Hang in there, it will get better....

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Priorities?

First bang your head against the dishwasher, then the furnace.

Have you gone to a doctor for the pain?

All that stuff, split the small things stressing you into small things removing some stress

 

[ladee]

You have just told my life story about how things come in numbers, and always more than TWO... usually I just set down and have a good frustrated cry.... lots of 'why me's' thrown in there, and my head is spinning like the exorcist just left the room... and money keeps popping up,or the thoughts of 'lack of'... ya, it's crazymaking.... it IS overwhelming... but like @Ragdoll Circus shared, tend to the basics.... which is YOU.

I have to make a list first, but that is for me to see that YES, it is overwhelming... do what I can about some of it... and then stop to have a cry or few in between getting things done...

I keep looking up to pinpoint which black cloud is mine... but there are SO MANY... not making light of your situation at all... but sometimes, after I cry, I just have to laugh.... things just get too complicated... and we don't handle complicated on good days...

Hang in here, and you can stop using the energy of expectations of handling it... what ever that means in real life.. sounds like you are handling it.... we are here for you.... sending gentle hugs because sometimes that is all we have....

 

[whiteraven]

I don’t think this is even a PTSD thing. It’s called life and even people without PTSD would be stre...

Yeah. It's the "they seem to be able to deal with it, why can't I?" But you're right about taking one thing at a time. And maybe, I'm thinking, just breathing between things.

Have you gone to a doctor for the pain?

No. No money. That's another thing. I have insurance, but it's a high deductible. Normally, you go to the doctor and they bill you for the visit. The providers around here are now instituting a policy where you have to pay an estimated portion of what you would owe before you see the doctor. That's for visits, procedures, everything.

I'm just thinking, when I am confronted by an issue like this that I think has no solution, I usually set it aside and say, "I'll deal with that later." Not always a good idea.

Thank you, @ladee! It so helps to know that there are other folks in the same boat. I'm also a list-maker; sometimes, though, I look at the list and just cry.

Thanks for reminding me about dropping expectations. That's a huge part of the problem. I'm learning that gradually and doing a lot better. And you're right. If I can get through the crying and the frustration, I am usually able to laugh about it. That's kind of a new thing for me and it's a good feeling - good to just be able to laugh about all the silly stuff that life throws at us. 'Cause really, it is all silly and unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Changing4Best]

I crochet. I paint. I write, in my journal, poetry, letters, whatever. I have to do something to get my mind off the heavy stuff that has all piled up on me, even though separately it is small stuff. I call a friend or a family member who listens well. I read, if I can keep my mind on it. I go out for a walk if the weather permits.

As to stuff breaking down, I call for help. I know I cannot fix stuff. (I do examine it first though, like is it plugged in correctly?)

When folks die, it is expected that you will grieve. It is OK to do so. It is almost called for. If you do not do it, you will regret it later.

 

[whiteraven]

Thank you, @SheilaKathy!