RePost: When Life Is Spinning Out Of Control

Sometimes life circumstances become overwhelming and we just don’t know where to start. If life is crazy for you right now, try my emergency plan for regaining control:

STOP

Get away to a quiet place (even if it’s your bedroom with the door locked or outside under a tree) with some paper and a pen. Write down everything that is bothering you without editing-just write as it comes.

PRAY

Take a moment to ask God for help. Pray for insight into the issues in your family and for help to solve the problems. Pray for direction and a clear head to sort through everything.

SORT

Start to group the items on your list. You can sort items in order of urgency, the time frame they need to be accomplished or just divide everything into categories. Draw boxes or circles or use a more formal system.

DECIDE

Decide what issues you can do something about, and let the rest go. I find it helpful to talk through these issues with a friend in order to gain perspective.

PLAN

Make an action plan for each area. I usually divide a piece of paper into several sections such as Husband, Children, Finances, Household, Paperwork, Errands or use my Weekly Goal Planner. I then fill in each section with the important things that need to be done in each area.

Don’t worry about writing them in any particular order in this step.

PRIORITIZE

Consider what issues are important versus what issues are urgent. A flat tire is urgent if you need to go somewhere, but your relationship with your child is important. Place priority on important issues first. Make a numbered list of action steps based on those priorities.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Divide your action plan into small steps. I like to take my calendar and actually schedule time for each step that I need to take. I try to work with only one week at a time and place longer term projects on a sticky note that I can move to the next week if items are not accomplished.

REVIEW

Read your plan every morning and follow the steps you have outlined.

Taking time to rest and organize your thoughts really helps to take away the overwhelming emotions that accompany high stress times. Just remember to take one step at a time. You can’t eat that elephant in one day!

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©2012 The Peaceful Mom-Please feel free to share this post in its entirely with credit and a link back to ThePeacefulMom.com.  Please note that this post is not intended as professional advice but simply the author’s personal opinion. You should seek professional advice if your circumstances require it. 

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