When one area of life is off balance, it can impact everything else.

Life can be a balancing act. When one area is off balance, it impacts every other area in our lives. For instance, when we don’t get enough sleep, even the most straightforward every day things can quickly become unnerving. It can be challenging to hold it all together when we are pulled in multiple directions.

If several areas of our life feel unbalanced, our mindset and perspective can become clouded. In these states, it can be difficult to find the best way to get back on track to living a balanced, joyful way of life.

These are the five powerful practices I go to when I feel overwhelmed. I find that when I take a step back and practice one of these approaches, I end up feeling happier, more confident and more productive. The areas of life that seemed impossible or hard, begin flowing with more ease. Better yet, I reach my desired outcome without falling apart.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, check in to see if any of these practices may be a right fit for you.

1) Listen

If you were to give yourself 30 seconds to check in on the story running through your mind, what would it sound like? When life feels overwhelming, we are more than likely intensifying this way of being, through the stories we are telling ourselves about everything we don’t want. Opening up to the idea that we have a say in how we craft our story, is a powerful beginning to create the space for a new narrative.

When we give ourselves the gift of listening to our inner dialogue, from an observer role, we are often given important information about the tone and tenor of our thoughts and stories. We can then make a conscious choice to start telling a new story, by tipping the scales from what we don’t want, towards what we do want.

Getting into the practice of self-awareness and self-reflection, is a powerful way to help you get back on track when you veer off your path. Listening to your inner voice, and trusting the wisdom you already have, will help you get into the driver’s seat of your life. Your inner wisdom will always steer you back to the place that feels right for you.

2) Look

What are you focused on? Instead of agonizing over what is hard and wrong in your life, see what happens when you look for the evidence of what is going well in your life. There is always something going right that we can be thankful for. The fact that we all received the gift of waking up today, is a start. The evidence of things that are good in life, don’t have to be big, they can be small clues and hints reminding you that life doesn’t have to feel so hard.

When we start scanning our world for the good, we will see it every time. Our minds are incredibly powerful. Much like if you decided you really wanted a new red car, there is a good chance over the following days and weeks you are going to start noticing more shiny red cars out on the road. This isn’t because there are more shiny red cars out on the road, it is because you put your focus on it. Our focus is powerful — use it as a tool to see the good in the situations before you.

3) Act

Act in the general direction of what you do want, not what you don’t want. If you are feeling overwhelmed by having too much to do, move your attention and intention away from the big overwhelming picture. Unpack the giant story by breaking it down into smaller more manageable steps.

Prioritize these steps and create a couple of lists for yourself. Create one list of tasks that are attainable for the day, and another list of tasks that are realistic for the week. Our actions forward help us feel accomplished – especially when we acknowledge that we are in process.

I love the saying, all you can do is all you can do, and all you can do is enough. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t fit everything into one day. Whatever you do is enough. Remind yourself often that there’s power in your willingness to start from where you are. Small steps forward pack a mighty punch, if they are done with consistency and regularity.

4) Allow

Is there room to ease up on your approach to life? When we give ourselves permission to loosen our grip on life a little, it’s amazing to see how things have a way of naturally falling into place.

Think about the strain and stress of constantly swimming upstream, or pushing against the current of a fast-flowing river. Then consider how much easier and fun it is, when we allow the natural flow and current of the river to move us. There is nothing to do but relax and enjoy the ride.

When things feel like they aren’t lining up in your day, or if you are met with disappointment after disappointment, see what happens when you open up to the idea that everything eventually has a way of working out. What’s meant for you, won’t pass by you.

Life is constantly flowing and moving. Nothing lasts forever, not even the hard times that feel really overwhelming. When we recognize that things will either eventually come together or they will pass, it helps us see that we can take a deep breath and just allow life to unfold. Traveling with the flow of life’s current, makes the ride much more enjoyable.

5) Rest

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. When we take care of our basic needs, everything becomes so much easier to deal with. If you find yourself overwhelmed, overworked and you can’t remember the last time you had a break or a good night’s sleep — start here. Get some rest, and take a few mini-breaks throughout the day to recharge.

Expecting that we can move mountains, without taking the time to catch our breath, is not realistic. Recharging our batteries on a consistent basis, makes it more likely we will be in better spirits to handle whatever is before us. When we take care of ourselves, life’s ups and downs won’t feel quite so bumpy. When we feel rested and recharged, it becomes more natural to love the lives we are in, regardless of what is before us.

Remember, enjoying the journey of life is what it is all about.

❤ Emily

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Looking for a resource to help you stay on track? Come check out my new ‘Fall in Love With Your Life, Seasonal Planner’ – this would make a wonderful resource to help you track your goals, growth, and self-development over the course of a season. This planner is designed to support you in taking small, manageable steps toward a life you love. There is an affordable membership that goes with it too! Check it out here.