Today I had a personal breakthrough.
A breakthrough that literally happened about halfway through writing this post.
But to tell you about my breakthrough, I first need to tell you about my breakdown.
Earlier today…
I’m almost done. (I think to myself, over and over…)
*Sigh*
Ideally, I should be doing something else. Realistically I’m slowly falling behind on my “schedule” AND… my stress level has started shifting into high gear.
But of course yesterday (when I should have been finishing what I am now working on today):
- The phone rang (it feels like it is always ringing!)
- And my email binged (for what felt like the fifty-billionth time!)
- And my toddler started to wake up way too early from his nap (which in turn means a premature ending to my already unproductive work time!)
- And I began to think about Every. Single. Thing. that I still had to do before days end…
Then all too quickly I moved from a dangerously high stress level, to feeling completely overwhelmed.
(You’ve been here before, right? You’ve experienced those days when somehow you loaded way too much on your plate? Tell me I’m not the only one!?)
So anyway, yesterday… well yesterday was a bit stressful.
And today… well unfortunately yesterday blended all to easily into today.
And now… well I am still completely overwhelmed, and thinking: I’m almost not done.
The chaos of my desk - complete w/dreaded phone that won’t leave me alone!
Furthermore, it seems that every time I reach a breaking point like this, I try to tell myself how I won’t ever let myself get here again.
But truly, who am I kidding?
Realistically, no matter how much we “work ahead,” no matter how diligently we try to plan for our week - there will always be those occasional, inexplicable, and unplanned for interruptions that build up over an already hectic day.
Which in turn… can lead to a mini breakdown.
And when these times arrive, all I want to do is stop, scream, sigh, and cry.
~
So this is where I am.
And I’m STOPPING. That’s it. I’ve had enough!
(And I did. Right about… here… Yep! This is exactly the point where I stopped writing this post.)
~
I STOPPED and…
Instead of using my completely quiet, kid-free home to finish writing a post on how I am breaking down, and feeling stressed, and in need of inspiration that just isn’t coming to me …
Instead…
I used my completely quiet, kid-free home to take a 20-minute nap.
In my bed. Under the covers. Lights out.
(Because you know what? Stress can wear you out!)
And when I awoke I was just a little less stressed, just a little less tired, with just a little more strength to help better fight off a total meltdown… until…
The phone rang. (Yes again!)
The phone rang BUT… to my surprise, it wasn’t work related and it wasn’t someone wanting to add another thing to my already-very-lengthy to-do list.
Nope. Not this time!
Instead, it was my husband who called me with a story - a cute yet somewhat unimportant story.
(And here is where I had my big breakthrough)
This story… it made me laugh.
I know. WHAT!
Really?
THAT is my BIG breakthrough?!?
Well sort-of. Because letting myself laugh unexpectedly without trying, made me smile.
And it was this quick smile, that suddenly made me realize something very important:
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make a big difference.
(Like a nap. An unexpected smile. And hearing the familiar voice of unknowing support.)
So that’s my story. And I’m sticking to it.
The simple, but true story, of how I managed to turn a breakdown into a breakthrough.
P.S. Thanks honey!
Leave a Comment: What helps you move past a potential breakdown? Are there small things that, looking back, have helped you to better focus and change your outlook on your day?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been feeling the same way lately and so has my husband. But we did a magical thing a few weeks ago, we got a new cable box in the bedroom and we are now able to watch our shows from the DVR in bed. We went in there, away from our living room that is buried in my daughter’s toys and just watched two hours worth of shows huddled under the covers after she went to sleep. We were amazed at how much better we felt not staring at the mess. Ironically, I woke up the next day with a bad head cold. I guess my stress was keeping me from getting sick and when I finally relaxed it hit me. So now I’m stressed from being sick and out of commission for another week! Blah!
I suppose once I’m completely recovered I’ll enjoy our nighttime TV viewing once again, because the sickness confirmed I was at least relaxing!
I’ve often thought about moving our DVR to our bedroom… And then I just worried the kids’ messes would just follow me there! We did finally attempt to move all the kids toys to our basement (becauses messes stress me out too!)… It has made things better. Hope you feel better soon… It is SO hard being sick with kids. Rest, rest, and more rest! And maybe guilt your daughter into cleaning up for you since your sick - if she’s old enough???
Love it. And yes, a nap ALWAYS works for me!
A nap it totally underrated. Totally. Works like a charm almost every. single. time.
Kate, husbands who make you laugh are the best! Mine just came in wearing a big floppy straw hat that he bought for our daughter’s dress up stuff in the Target dollar bin. Needless to say, he looked ridiculous but it brought a smile to my face. It’s one of the many reasons I love him. Glad to hear your hubby brightens your days as well. Thanks for pointing me to your post; I enjoyed reading, as always!
Thanks for stopping over to read it
Your post from your blog just really reminded me SO much of that day when I had a “breakdown.” I hate when a “breakdown” arrives…