With everything that’s happening, being overwhelmed is a completely acceptable mental state. To feel panicky, anxious, and the massive variety of not-so-pleasant feelings is normal. While it is completely understandable to feel all these, have you ever wondered where these feelings are coming from?
Here are some scenarios to consider: Are you one of those parents trying to focus on work only to be distracted by your child asking about something so seemingly frivolous as what today’s lunch is going to be? This leads you to develop an internal state of panic, of wanting to figure out dishes for today, tomorrow, next week. What will I serve my family? Are they okay? Are my children occupied with enough activities? Without realizing it, you are soon obsessing over other things, tasks to do, chores to take care of, all on top of monitoring new COVID-19 cases, and other related issues. Oh how the human mind can juggle so many bugging thoughts! But do you try to watch what you think and filter the things you allow yourself to be subjected to?
Perhaps, you are feeling overwhelmed because you’re trying to deal with everything all at once. You are probably used to juggling everything, be on top of everything, and go full on multi-tasking. But you fail to realize that while you can have it all, you cannot have it all at the same time (Filipino translation: Pwede magkaroon ng marami pero hindi sabay-sabay). So chill out. You’ve got to move out of that condition or else it will be an unnecessary burden for you to carry. It will only stress you out. Choose your battles well; doing so will enable you to move out of that condition.
Pause and try to look within you. Are you taking yourself for granted? Why? What for? This is the perfect time to boost your immune system, and the worst possible time to be taking your health for granted. Do whatever it takes to extend yourself a little more kindness and love. Sleep well. Exercise. Breathe deep. Go for a walk. Even though you’re observing home quarantine, be cautious of where the real threat is coming from. Is it really the virus or is it your mindset, your inner thought process? Is the enemy coming from the inside or the outside? Reflect. In doing so, I hope you’ll be able to take small and sure steps into unclogging your personal systems and move from an overwhelmed sense of being into something more mindful and at peace with yourself and the world. – WITH PAU DE VERA