Stress Cup Overload Coping Strategies?

[bell]

So, aside from my full-time job, I also am a writer and an artist. Usually these worlds don't overlap and I have time to do everything and everything is peachy (well apart from the PTSD...).

However, this week, all three things have major projects due and I can feel my stress cup filling higher and I still have a week to go. I have a board meeting in the "real" job, final book edits due, and an art project I've been working on for weeks isn't panning out and I have to find a way (and time) to fix it before I go reveal it across the country next week.

In the past when the cup starts to fill, I make sure my emotions/PTSD take precedence, and that I get loads of extra sleep and take time to take good care of myself. But this week, I'm not sure where I'm going to find the time to make me a priority thanks to deadlines. I know it's only temporary, but thanks to a mega meltdown (where I lost my best ally thanks to my craziness... so I now feel utterly alone and vulnerable) this summer, am worried about keeping everything together, as all involve people who don't know how bad things can get.

Anyone have any tips on what to do when they feel their stress cup is filling and they need to keep on working nonetheless? I think I'm going to try and throw a few minutes of meditation in, but any ideas would be welcome... Thanks!

 

[fly away home]

I don't know if I can offer you much other than say I understand. When it comes to art and getting an exhibition together often those last minute crazy rushes to finish work are what create a whole new exciting pile of ideas to go on with after you recover from the current show. Embrace it and do some breathing. Its not easy to juggle do many roles and it sounds like you have achieved so much already. Be proud and know that things will settle again soon enough.

 

[Seasounds]

Things that can calm and center me: meditation, pausing to deep breathe, yoga (or slow stretches), making a list, turning off tv and radio, turning off my phone/or ignoring calls and texts, and taking a hot bath or shower. Also, as massage therapists do, gently brushing/stroking energy out my arms and legs, and gently stroking my face, can help release tension.

 

[rightkindofme]

My therapist says that I "hyper-intellectualize" at such times and that allows me to get to the deadline. Mostly what happens is I do a lot of telling myself, "I can flip out in 14... 13...12..." days. I always wait two days past deadlines. Then I plan to hide from everyone and scream and cry and completely freak out on my own.

I take breaks and try to be in dark rooms for about fifteen minutes at least once an hour. Then I kind of chant to myself how much more time I have to be productive.

I say a lot of "This too shall pass." It is hard to be in the complete panic and not show any of it. Good luck.

 

[ill]

When I'm in this situation I only do what absolutely needs to be done and everything else can wait. Screw the dishes, cooking, vaccuuming and anything that will sap any more of my precious resources. 20 minutes of a trashy tv show that cheers me up and makes me feel good - yes. I am also someone who needs breaks; I can't spend 4 hours just straight working. Instead of arguing with myself about what I should be doing, I give myself the break that I need (to watch my trashy tv show, for instance) and then I feel a little better and happier and I can get back down to business. I also make sure I schedule a block of me time when I've accomplished everything. I don't make dates, I don't take on any more work, I just give myself whatever the heck I want and need: pyjamas all day, delicious food, alone time, more trashy tv, walks.

Best wishes to you.

 

[Pietro]

I do a lot of telling myself, "I can flip out in 14... 13...12..." days. I always wait two days past deadlines. Then I plan to hide from everyone and scream and cry and completely freak out on my own.

I do the same. It's not how I'd like to use my rare free time, but it allows me to maintain the necessities and take care of kids, when I have them. And, maybe, it won't be like this forever. :)

 

[bell]

Thank you all for your heartfelt responses, they have soothed me. :) I think one of the reasons why this is hard is that during the last board meeting months ago, I had a complete meltdown and for the first time in 20 years had thoughts about ending my life. So, throwing in another one of these meetings right now has not helped things one bit. I keep thinking about how down I was during the last meeting and it throws me a jolt, remembering how affected I was last time round. I'm trying to remain cheery, but it's hard.... especially with so many other deadlines looming over me when I get home.

And, in reading what I wrote again, I realize that it's clear that I overcompensate with work where I err on the personal side... I take on so much so I have a reason for people to not get so close. I'm always saying, "I can't, I have a deadline..." which is almost always true.

Each one of your answers had something that spoke to me, apologies for responding to all of them here in one go.

often those last minute crazy rushes to finish work are what create a whole new exciting pile of ideas to go on with after you recover from the current show.

Yes! I will have to remember this! That with the stress will come new ideas, @fly away home! :)

Also, as massage therapists do, gently brushing/stroking energy out my arms and legs, and gently stroking my face, can help release tension.

Good idea, @change! Thanks! I think this may help as when I'm stressed I tend to completely ignore feeling. It's the first thing to go, I become void of emotions and shut out all physical touch.

Mostly what happens is I do a lot of telling myself, "I can flip out in 14... 13...12..." days.

Good plan, @rightkindofme. (And good to hear @Pietro that you agree.. and thanks for reminding me that this is not forever!!) If I can only get through this week.... then I can freak out! ;)

I don't take on any more work, I just give myself whatever the heck I want and need

Yes, I think that this is the right approach, @ill. To remember that I need to take care of me. I actually went to bed really early last night (and got up super early this morning to compensate) which felt like a good decision.

 

[bell]

Just wanted to come back to this and say how therapeutic it was to share that I was having problems and to be validated. Also, after writing this, I realized how important it really is for me (and indirectly for everyone else in my life) to take good care of myself.

Like, *really* realized it.

As instead of staying up late and pushing myself to the brink, I've been getting *extra* sleep this week because I know that my stress level is high and that I need to act now instead of react later. It's worked wonders, and I give thanks to everyone (again) for their answers, and they helped remind me that it *is* possible to weather this stress and it *is* possible to weather it well. Four days on from initially posting this, I'm well rested, working, and moving forward, which feels, well, mighty darn good.

So, for your sharing your days with me, I am thankful.