5 things I do when I feel stretched
lets catch up
This wasn’t the newsletter I planned for this week.
I kept sitting down to write and share something with you all, but, the words wouldn’t come.
Instead of forcing something, I thought about what the most truthful thing I could share right now would be, and to be really honest, it’s that I’m running out of fuel. The red light is on, flashing and asking for more juice in the tank.
I know this is just a phase. My son is currently waking up more with teething, we’re in the midst of a transition into new childcare for half a day a week, my shoulder is still healing post dislocation and I’m juggling freelance work during nap times and evenings.
It’s a season, but, one that’s testing.
I flit between feeling hopeful and optimistic that it will get easier, but then have moments that feel so low and all consuming.
I’m slowly working towards putting things in place to ease the load and bring some ease back into my days. While I do that, I thought I would share my approach when these times arise.
The things I try to remind myself of and how I show up for myself when I’m stretched…
1. welcome how I’m feeling with compassion and understanding
This isn’t my default, but something I remind myself of constantly is that how I’m feeling is a fairly normal response. I was actually wondering yesterday why I felt so ungrounded and a little all over the place - then I remembered everything that’s happened the last couple of weeks. Even just that moment of reassurance felt comforting.
I’ve noticed over the years that a sign for me feeling stretched is black and white thinking, catastrophising and going straight to thinking the worst - compassion for where I’m at currently brings a softness to this too. A reminder that those thoughts are not fact, but fuelled by other factors.
2. say the thoughts I’m having out loud
This links to what I’ve just shared, but, communicating with my husband usually breaks that rumination cycle too. Often when I’m feeling stretched, a lot of it is also the mental load that builds up as a result. Voicing any thoughts I’m having and bringing some distance between them and a second opinion is SO helpful.
3. consider what my next best move is
When I’m feeling stretched I don’t tend to make the best decision by default, so there are two questions I’m trying to consider when it comes to the time I do have where I can control how I show up…
What will make me feel good?
Do I really need to do that thing that’s on my to-do list now?
4. get outside as much as possible
Thankfully living on Anglesey this one is easy, and it’s my priority right now. I mentioned in April’s Seasonal Scroll that I’m feeling drawn to learning more about nature and our interconnection with it. I’ve learnt a few bits over the years, but noticing how much gardening and even just 20 minutes walking outside is helping me during this time is fuelling this drive to learn more. The shift I felt even just noticing the blossom on the trees and more green as I drove to do the food shop this morning offered what felt like a little sigh of relief.
In these moments, often I want to stay busy to try and avoid sitting with the overwhelm, reminding (and gently, at times, forcing) myself to get outside and notice something new instantly slows and shifts something. The stretch softens.
5. pick up a daily journaling practice
How much I lean on journaling ebbs and flows, but, every time I consistently journal, even just spending 10 minutes at the start/ end of each day, things again feel lighter. I have a guided journal from Papier, I don’t fill in all of the sections but here are the things I jot down…
morning prompts
🌞 intention for the day
🌞 meals
🌞 today, self care looks like…
evening prompts
🌚 thoughts and feels - a section to just brain dump/ list how I’m feeling
🌚 what went well today
🌚 today I’m thankful for…
Even just writing this has felt therapeutic and like something has shifted, so, thank you! If you’re in a similar place, I’m sending you love - let me know if there’s anything that helps you move through these times…
Jodie x
If you found this post useful or enjoyed it I would be so grateful if you shared it or restacked it. It helps more people find the Slower Space community… Thank you x
Just a note to say - right there with you! And it gets better, the transitional bits are always the hardest but you'll be in your new rhythm and thriving very soon ❤️
Getting outside always really helps me clear my head, just noticing the little things of remembering how that tree looked last winter or the berries on the hedgerows. I really want to give journaling more of a go but I always get stuck in the head space of wanting it to be perfect writing.