How do you manage feeling overwhelmed about every day stuff?

[GoodMorrowFairMaiden]

I’m sick of feeling overwhelmed and then burying my head in the sand so things get more stressful.
As an example, today, I had to tidy up the living room, do some laundry, go to the supermarket and fill my car up.
I got really stressed out thinking about all those things and now that it’s nearly done (some more laundry and some more tidying to do) it took me less than 2 hrs and wasn’t too bad at all.
Now this afternoon I have to finish tidying, prep and cook dinner and take DD out to meet a friend and it’s stressing me out.
I’ve only managed this so far today because I’ve got a time limit today of meeting dds friend and mum otherwise I’d still be plodding along doing a few bits and pieces but not achieving much.
It all sounds a bit pathetic and I don’t know why I feel like this about normal every day tasks. Any tips or advice from anyone who is similar?

That is just stuff you should be doing daily, shouldn't even register in your mind as jobs? If it doesn't get some though, does it matter?

I usually take 10 mins every evening to sit down and write a list of jobs I need to do the next day. I prioritise them, and give myself a time limit. Whatever doesn't get done within that time, waits until the next day. No Biggie

Me too op. Maybe if you haven't ever felt this you can understand it. It's a mix of pressure stress and anxiety. Sometimes I have it worse than others.

-Try setting a timer for ten mins. -Catergirise task into routine (get up abs showered)/necessary (paying a bill or booking tickets)/pleasurable (going out for tea) and ensure you do one each of those each day.
-lists don't always work for me as they can be overwhelming but I write list of jobs and then keep writing a new list daily.

Laundry takes ages - seems to takes me a full day each week.

Switch to online shopping - saves loads of time. Whoever sees that the laundry basket is full, puts it in the washing machine so there is never a backlog.

When I feel overwhelmed at home or work I make a conscious effort to slow down , concentrate on one thing, be quiet, move slowly. I find it really helps stop the noise in my head and I make progress

This book is good:
books.google.co.uk/books/about/ADD_Friendly_Ways_to_Organize_Your_Life.html?id=hUQlDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&redir_esc=y

That is just stuff you should be doing daily, shouldn't even register in your mind as jobs?

Lol yeah OP silly old you!

I totally get you OP. Today I have to chase someone about mending my car today and do some work I've been putting it off....sounds so mundane but coupled with a bad night's sleep and my anxiety is absolutely sky high.

Do you take regular breaks and do you try to make sure you have a certain amount of free time each day to sir wnd read, walk or do something nice?

I get overwhelmed when I feel I have no downtime and am constantly doing things. I work but have weekends off. The dcs are tweens. I try not to pack too much going places into the one day at weekends. I do a food shop but am strict about not browsing in different shops. I set a target for X time for food shop etc. When I sm cleaning at home I try and take a morning and afternoon break for 20 mins with a cuppa.

I know it seems counter intuitive to take breaks. In taking breaks, you are more willing to do the work as you know a break will happen soon. I also have a cut off point each eve, usually 9 pm on weeknights where I want to be sitting watching tv or reading. It helps me to feel I am having a life and things are not just one long chore.

HTH

I know I had mistakes on the post, my eyesight is not great and I keep hitting the wrong buttons when posting. Should have previewed.

In work and in the home - you'll never be able to do everything you want/ or feel you should be doing - prioritise what u need to do , write a list and be realistic x

You have to prioritise things, face it, not everything will get done! It's the same at work, you have to leave less important tasks. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, but when I do, I take a break and have a glass of wine in the bath or hot tub. Then a movie night with the kids and DH puts me in a better mood.

This was how I felt this morning! Had to clean downstairs with DH, then we had to go to Aldi/The Range. Doesn't seem like a lot but it had me feeling stroppy and stressed. I get like this when I'm due on however and everything small upsets me and makes me grumpy.

How old are you OP?

Was there something on that list that you had been particularly avoiding? I feel like that when I've put something on the list I really don't want to do, and have an anxiety about reaching it on the list, so avoid it by not doing anything on the list before it! Now I've recognised that in myself, I can either not put it on the list in the first place, or do it first, get it out the way and get my mojo back

I get it, op. You might like The Organised Mum Method/ Time Technique. The website explains it well. It has really helped me manage organisation and feelings of overwhelm.

Writing lists and physically ticking them off is really concrete and will help op.
Also just getting all the jobs done rather than thinking about it

I used to be organised and run around do all the jobs
Now I’m older and more alone and more slow and tired it all doesn’t seem to be so easy

Today I did a job that I put out for me to complete about 2 -3 weeks ago it took one hour

I

It sometimes feels like life is a never-ending list of tasks to do.

Two things that have helped me and dh over the years,
First, getting the kids to help. They have a roster. Dishes, pots, rubbish& recycling or clearing and wiping the table.
Second, employing a home help person for three hours a week. Their job description is "whatever I put on the list" so one week it's cleaning the shower and the next week it's ironing the clothes. It REALLY helps take the stress away and given that I credit having outside help with creating a harmonious atmosphere in our home for the last decade, is very good bang for buck.

The key is to give it as little head space as you can. Less thinking, less procrastination and more doing. Before you know it, it’ll be done. Also sometimes thoughts can be very messy in your head but I find writing a list is a lot more organised and seeing things getting ticked off is very satisfying x

I'm another one for lists, helps me get everything out of my head and when things start to get ticked off it feels less overwhelming with what's left.
Not everything gets done on the list everyday but most things and i find it helps to see it all written down so if there is anything urgent or with a deadline I can see clearly what can be put off for another day.
Helps clear the brain fog of too much to do

OP I absolutely understand. I too spend ages putting off, worrying about, overthinking a task and then if/when I eventually do it I often find it takes only a short about of time and isn't all that taxing.

I'm much better working to a deadline. So for example if I have people coming over I finally get the house straight.

It's very frustrating, and it's really not as simple as 'pulling yourself together' as some people might suggest.

I really do seem constantly busy, always doing- yet nothing is done 🥺. I'm watching this thread with interest.

I’ve always had a reputation for pulling things off at the last minute, and doing it well so it just amuses people. It used to be amusing to me too but now it feels like I have so much more to organise and do that last minute doesn’t work anymore.
It’s just horribly stressful.
I do write lists and dcs do help but some things need proper organising so I need to get that done.
I dread things and put them off but always meet deadlines. I try not to give these things too much headspace but I think that makes me procrastinate?
To the pp who asked - no there wasn’t anything in particular that I was dreading. I hate every chore equally
I’m in my 40’s so you’d think I’d know better by now.
My friends and work colleagues all think I’m efficient and fairly organised. What a joke.

I'm exactly the same, find it easy to get overwhelmed or get a mental block against doing anything!
Definitely lists, I find I get things done if I write them down in my book the night before then they're there for me next morning.
Can see what needs to be done, and satisfying ticking them off
I love the Mrs Hinch Little Book of Lists (no, I'm not her lol)

Solidarity OP. I feel overwhelmed most days, to the point of tears. Confused too. Friend suggested Add but I don't know. HRT has helped somewhat.

Be kind to yourself op. People think you are organised and efficient because you get stuff done but the cost of your apparent efficiency is feeling horribly stressed and anxious.

Pressure is good but stress is not and anxiety is even worse. It leads to burnout.

I'm also a "deadline surfer". I reframed my thinking to think that it's my choice to do things last minute as it gives me head space. So if I have work related tasks to complete before Monday, I allocate two hours 8-10pm Sunday evening and forget about it until then (this has been known to slide to 5-7am Monday morning). The key to this is that it actively my choice and forgetting about it until the time which is great for me.

Not sure what the main source of stress is but if it's an untidy house try the team organised momm messy house bootcamp. I don't think TOMM daily is compatible with full time work and childcare imho but could be tweaked to be helpful. But before you get to even that point you need to take a breather and recalibrate.

Hi OP I asked about your age as I’m menopausal and this feeling consumes me. Or did, HRT is starting to change things