When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet

I have always been a master at juggling many projects at once. Within a week, I can manage 600 things simultaneously and still find time for family. Each task is neatly arranged and color-coded on my calendar. Like perfectly placed dominos, each project is lined up and ready to be tackled.

But what happens when one of my dominos falls? It’s like a cascade of pieces falling right after the other until I realize nothing is left standing and I have made a big mess. I tend to do too many things at once as a high-energy competitive person. Most of the time, it’s great, and I can accomplish much more than most people until I can’t.

Last week, my dominos fell, and I am still picking up the pieces. I received the news that my 11-year-old dog, Remy, needed major surgery, and we were unsure of his prognosis. The surgery went as planned, and he is recovering well, but the unexpected news threw my family and me for a loop.

My motivation to exercise went down the tubes. I wasn’t sleeping well because I was waking up with anxiety. The laundry and dishes piled up, and all I wanted to do was take a nap. I was dealing with anticipatory grief and anxiety about the dominos I couldn’t catch in time.

Why do I share this with you? Because I know we have all had something in our lives that has thrown us off our game and forced us to reassess our way of doing things. If you have ever had to deal with unexpected car repairs, a massive work project, or the unfortunate passing of a loved one, you know what I mean. It rips us right out of our comfort zone and forces us to deal with an array of emotions whether we like it or not.

How do we get our groove back? How can we pick up the pieces and get on with our lives? Everyone and every situation differ. I can’t say that what works for me will work for you in times of distress, but what I can do is share what I have learned by taking a step back and slowly picking up the pieces.

Remove the unnecessary

I looked at my calendar to get back on track and moved anything that wasn’t a priority. Removing unnecessary tasks and meetings left me with time to recenter and take care of the things that mattered the most (especially myself!). Don’t feel guilty about saying “no,” delegating, or canceling things. If the people around you care about you, they will understand.

Focus on self-care

We always hear about the importance of self-care. In this instance, it’s imperative. If you need a nap, take it. If you need a rest day or two, that’s OK, but try to keep your workouts on the priority list. The energy will keep you going, and the endorphins will boost your mood. Feel free to switch it up too. Do a calming yoga class or walk to clear your head.

Remember your why and let things go

Sometimes I need to step back and ask myself, “why did I go down this path anyway?”. I sometimes realize I got carried away and forgot the goal when I ask myself that question. I stop stressing at the dominos falling and then remember that half of them were self-imposed and I never needed them in the first place. We tend to get lost in the process and create unnecessary obligations. Work smarter, not harder.

Journal

Writing this blog is therapeutic! Taking the time to write out your feelings helps release them and gives us a different perspective. Have you ever reread something you have written and thought, “wait, that came from me?”. Whether you share it with others or not, writing things out helps release what is no longer serving you. It can also help you feel like you are in more control of your emotions.

Give yourself some grace

Shit happens. Learning to deal with unexpected changes and environmental shifts is part of life. Life would be boring if nothing ever happened to us. Consider how this current stage in your life is teaching you something new. There are always blessings in disguise, and we can move forward with grace by looking at what we have gained rather than lost.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

It’s OK not to have all of the answers. It’s not OK to continue to feel like crap. Speak to your doctor, connect with a therapist, find a support group, and reach out to friends and family. You don’t need to go through it alone. Don’t hold things in until you snap. That doesn’t help with anything. Some life situations are more challenging than others, and you can’t compare your situation to someone else’s. We are all unique. Help is always available if we ask for it.