On dealing with overwhelm
Oh, hi friends!
When I get really underwater, I usually end up sitting. And doing nothing.
That’s what happened yesterday.
(Okay, fine, it wasn’t exactly nothing—I was chomping on popcorn, OK? Stress needs snacks.)
This probably wasn’t the best idea.
I could have used that time to respond to friends, start a draft or three, deal with my taxes, conquer a task or two, and on and on and on.
Instead I sat and asked these questions:
— What exactly is making me anxious?
— What do I have to do today?
— What can I do next?
And instead of having 47 things on my mind, suddenly I had one.
So I did that task.
Then I asked, What can I do next?
And I did that task, too.
It’s hard—maybe impossible?—to be overwhelmed when you’re simply doing one thing at a time.
Find yourself.
Face yourself.
Forgive yourself.
Forget yourself.
One of the many bits of wisdom my friend John Fitzgerald has collected over the years. He shares with me, I share with you, you share with whoever you’d like.
From left to right: Elissa Klie, Randa Karambelas, Chelsea J. Smith in Ghost Story
Photo Credit: David Fletcher
Sometimes you see a show that hits you in the heart.
If you’re in New York, I recommend you see the play Ghost Story, featuring my talented friends Chelsea J. Smith, Randa Karambelas, and Elissa Klie, playing now through March 10 at The Workshop Theater's Jewel Box Theater. Directed by John Dapolito, this powerful piece of theater written by Mark Ravenhill is about three women grappling with the emotional realities of advanced cancer. But among the heaviness, there’s plenty of beautiful hope here. Go experience it for yourself.
Continuing with the mission of Little Spoon, Big Spoon Productions to raise social awareness and support related non-profits, 20% of ticket sales and 100% of all contributions go to the Cancer Hope Network. Get your tickets here!
PS — Have you recently volunteered for the first time?
I’m looking for a "virgin volunteer" who would be open to sharing their experience of taking the plunge and the rewards they found. I’m writing this for a new website—this will be an “as told to” piece, told in your voice. Looking for humor! Honesty! If you or someone you know fits the bill, please hit “reply” and get in touch. Thanks so much.
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara