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What To Do When A Project Overwhelms You
The secret of getting ahead is getting started
The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one
~ Mark Twain
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed? Do you have a large project ahead of you and cannot get started because you are either overwhelmed with emotions or the size of the project?
Here are 2 challenges for you and a list of ways you can balance yourself while progressing forward in a project.
Challenge One: this weekend, identify a project that needs to be done and make a list of the tasks that need to be completed. Start with simple tasks such as getting the cleaning supplies out and place on the counter and progress your list to name all the tasks it will take to complete the project.
Look at the list and identify two goals that you want to work on this upcoming week. One small goal that can easily or quickly be accomplished and one larger goal that will take you time or effort.
When you complete your tasks be sure to mark those tasks off of the list. Our brains love seeing progress no matter how big or small the progress is. Your brain does not stop to see what is under the line but that that task is done and that moves you forward.
Challenge Two: Find one thing you can do on Friday, one on Saturday, and one on Sunday that is meant to balance and reward yourself.
Here are some ideas for you to try
1) Turn off the news sources
2) Stop using social media
3) Drink your favorite hot tea or flavored coffee
4) Talk a walk
5) Check out yoga
6) Read the Bible
7) Find a great meditation app or Youtube channel
8) Breathing techniques
9) Pray
10) Self-massage
11) Body stretching. Also available on Youtube
12) Go on a short drive
13) Start a daily affirmation book/journal
14) Go on a long drive
15) Hug someone in your house
16) Kiss your spouse
17) Brush your hair
18) Listen to your favorite pastor
19) Take a hot bubble bath
20) Do one act of kindness for a loved one
21) Do one act of kindness for a stranger
22) Take a 5-minute nap
23) Journal your fears
24) Journal your joys
25) Sleep in
26) Make a list of things you want to see or places you want to go
27) Listen to your favorite song
28) Listen to your favorite genre of music
29) Fix a healthy snack
30) Do a facial
31) Do your nails
32) Use your favorite scented lotion
33) Fix a healthy snack
34) Find a new craft project to start
35) Exercise
36) Color in an adult coloring book
37) Sit outside on patio, deck, porch
38) Play a game with your family
39) Start a puzzle
40) Watch an old movie
41) Listen to your favorite comedian
42) Have someone give you a scalp massage
43) Start a new book
44) Play Clue online with your friends
45) Call someone you have not talked to in a while
46) Take a long shower
47) Snuggle with your spouse or child
48) Find a great escape room game online
49) Bake
50) Plant something
51) Add flowers to the grocery list
52) Go on a hike
53) Learn a new language
54) Play a musical instrument
55) Learn something you always wanted to learn
56) Sing
57) Lift weights
58) Play with Alexa and have her tell you fun facts or jokes
59) Write your bucket list
60) Explore different countries on the computer
61) Take a virtual tour of a museum
62) Put together a girls/guys group
63) Paint a picture
64) Play with your pet
65) Take a fun class
66) Make jewelry
67) Safely sit by a bonfire
68) Camp out in the back yard
69) Learn Tia Chi on Youtube
70) Dance to your favorite music
71) Take pictures of the outdoors
72) Take candid pictures of your family as they go about their day
73) Start your own blog
74) Read your favorite blog
75) Read a magazine
76) Find a positive Youtube channel that lifts your spirits
77) Attend a different church's virtual sermon
78) Send a kind note to someone
79) Send a kind note to yourself
80) Post up affirmations around the house
81) Build something
82) Make a list of all your blessings
83) Designate one day of the weekend as your Holiday
84) Play on the Wii to get moving
85) Write some poetry
86) Ask your partner to learn to ballroom dancing with you in the living room
87) Have breakfast in bed
88) Check out a video support group
89) Sit and watch the rain
90) Watch the sunset
91) Watch the sunrise
92) Dream about where you see yourself in the future
93) Start writing a book
94) Reorganize your schedule to slow down your life
95) Start planning a party
96) Light your favorite candle
97) Forgive someone
98) Find ways to show appreciation to those that serve your household such as the garbage employees
99) Post only inspirational posts on social media
100) Explore a different genre of music
102) Sit in the sunshine
102) Adopt a pet
103) Play a board game with your family
104) Draw pictures
105) Write down 25 things that make you great!
106) Take a bike ride
107) Roller skate
108) Make a list of future goals to work on
109) Eat some chocolate
110) Start or participate in counseling
These are just some of the ways you can balance yourself. Do you have other ways you enjoy balancing yourself?
If you have been depressed, anxious or dealing with feelings that are overwhelming for 2 weeks or more, please see a professional to see if counseling may help you deal with these feelings.
Have a blessed and balanced day!
Melissa
Melissa Smith is an LMFT in the state of Kentucky. To find out more about her click here.
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Live. Life. Balanced is a blog written by a licensed marriage and family therapists.
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