Overwhelmed?

To be overwhelmed: The sudden realisation and acknowledgement of all things needing to be done at a single time, ultimately leading to a sense of panic followed by the need to run away ASAP. Or that's my experience of it.
It's unpleasant, stressful and makes life a lot harder than it needs to be.

So how did we get here?

Simply put, by saying yes to often. Yes to meeting a friend, yes to attending that event, yes to helping whoever asked, whilst also having a growing list of tasks and commitments that have yet to be completed.

Becoming overwhelmed is the immediate result of underestimating the value of our own time whilst also neglecting the amount of energy needed to pursue the tasks at hand.

Prevention is better than cure and this is true for dealing with overwhelm. Take steps to ensure it doesn't happen. And if it does happen, take a time out and deal with the tasks at hand in a calm and organised manner.

Now that the problem has been identified, what can be done?
Here are some tried and tested tips on how to break the cycle.

1) Learn to say no. NO. NO. NO. Be blunt or if friendship matters then then politely decline. Those feeling overwhelmed often are usually the same people who say yes by default. Remember, each task takes up valuable energy. "You can't pour out of an empty cup", so know when to say no in order to have the time and energy for what matters.

2) Simplify your life. Have personal goals in mind, ideally written down somewhere easily accessible for quick reference. When things get busy, ask yourself  "Does this contribute towards my personal goals?" before agreeing. If it doesn't contribute towards your long term goals then leave the task at hand or move it to a more convenient time.

3) Be organised. To-do lists really do help. Write down everything that needs to be done, mark the urgent tasks and do those as soon as possible to avoid last minute panic.

4) Check your relationships. 
Are you being emotionally drained?  Hours of precious time could slip away dealing with toxic individuals, leading to a vicious cycle of over thinking and emotional drain. If their negative effect continues following the interaction, chances are they're toxic. CUT THEM OFF.

5) Aim for each day to be balanced. Write down the different aspects of your life. Spirituality, academia, fitness, diet, hobbies/passions etc. Wake up early and try and do something for each of these categories. Focus your day on achieving balance. How we spend our day determines how we spend our lives so be wise with what you do.

Life is chaotic and that in itself is an uneasy reality, no surprise that the illusion of control offers a sense of peace and grounding. Living with balance and structure is perhaps the simplest way to find a space of safety within the chaos.