Instructions on how to approach being overwhelmed

A kitchen was needed for more than gastronomy

It was required to have autonomy.

This space was needed to calm the heart, soul and mind,

and to create food and an essence that cannot be defined.

Designing and calculating vents and air flow

seems to please those who are in the know,

but to organize all that was needed to build this sanctuary

made me feel overwhelmed. The process was more than I could carry.

-

I was walking in circles, to remember what I wanted to do.

I misplaced several items, even a shoe.

Confusion permeated each little move.

I had to regroup and find my own groove.

I remembered to carve time, to refocus. To find some peace,

required silencing the voice in my head that would not cease.

I acknowledged that taking care of myself must be first on the to-do list.

How can you help yourself or others if your head's in a twist?

-

The onset of being overwhelmed has no specific reason or rhyme.

It begins by feeling frozen, swallowed by waves, or stuck in slime.

A darkness, felt in the pit of the stomach, invades when futility is rife.

Some people find relief by observing other peoples strife.

Some focus on gratitude to change their attitude.

They become psychologically unglued and change mental latitude.

To regain control: Get some sleep; exercise; set manageable goals;

Ideally, stresses will be like water that off a duck's back rolls.

`

Overcoming being overwhelmed requires a SOBER approach.

Stop, Observe, Breathe, Expand, Respond, is the advice of many a coach.

Check calculations, bounce ideas off those you can trust.

Remember that controlling breathing is a given must.

Responsibilities and problems are real.

We have limited control of how they make us feel.

Choose what is precious and learn to ration

fear with cold indifference or sizzling hot passion.

-

To escape the feeling of being crushed, do your utmost

to prioritize goals, take single actions, become engrossed.

Ease off on the accelerator and take it slow,

gear down and steer where you want to go.

Follow the steep path ahead one step at a time.

Focus on pulling up not pushing down as you climb.

If swept into the flow of an overwhelming rip tide, or a car skidding on ice.

Remember, no one response guarantees a result that is precise.

---------------------------------------------------------------