To ask what you do when life overwhelms you?

[Farrow20]

How do you make stressful times a bit easier?

2020 hasn’t been off to the greatest of starts for me - my mum has become really unwell, my job is at risk, I’m several weeks behind on my university work, and I feel really sad, stressed and not myself. I would love to know some good ways to try and manage things, and make life a bit less overwhelming.

For me I try to have some time entirely by myself. I give myself permission not to think about the worries for that space of time.

They're still there when I open the door but that brief space away from them helps.

I live near the beach, so I go alone and just sit on a bench at the shore. The wilder the weather, the better.
Or alternatively, I punch fuck out of a pillow.

Make time to be outside. A walk in the woods just concentrating on your breathing. Diary in your uni work so you get caught up, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed and not get started. Ask for an extension if you need one. I like to do meditations as well, they help me get to sleep when my mind is working too hard.

Compartmentalising. It's the only way I stay sane. I only think about work when I am working. Only allow awful abusive ex a few minutes of head space each day.

Sorry to hear that. It does all get a bit much sometimes. I make a list of everything I have to do so that I can see it written down. I cross off everything I don't HAVE to do, and that includes things like cleaning, and keep things that need to be done to survive, like eat and pay the mortgage. I deal with the non-essentials when I've allowed myself to rest. It's not easy because it can be difficult to see what isn't essential. I had counselling which helped a lot with that. I try to use the Headspace app which helps me feel calmer. I tend to feel massively overwhelmed at times so writing a list gives me some perspective. It's nice when you can cross something off, so it's worth putting things on the list that you know you will do anyway. I'm not sure how helpful this is as everyone is so different but you'll probably get some ideas here that you can pick from. Just the passing of time and rest can help if you can allow yourself to relax.

I crochet or do yoga. Both take a lot of concentration so I have to stop worrying / stressing / listing the to dos for an hour or so.

Nearly every single time, everything seems far less important after that break.

Firstly acknowledge there are things you can't control. Let those go. Try and be kind to yourself, it sounds like a lot. For the things you can control you need a plan. Identify what you need to do (for Uni, maybe what you can do to help your Mum/ show your support, and in general - organising the house etc), break it down into monthly/ weekly/ daily tasks, so you know what you need to do and when. Finally don't neglect yourself. I find keeping on top of the cleaning helps me regain headspace but it may be exercise or something else for you. Once you have your headspace carve some relax time out for you. You can then tackle the work in a better frame of mind. I always find bribing myself with chocolate for assignments etc works wonders. Good luck

Try not to make other people's problems your problems. Focus on your own.

And compartmentalise. If there is something you can do, then do it. If there is really nothing you can do, try not to dwell on it.

This will probably sound weird but
When I need time alone, I go to the cemetery. My dd is buried at the top of a hill overlooking my hometown. It's the one place I feel closest to her my mum and dad are also buried there.
If I feel overwhelmed, upset or just want time out that's where you will find me.
I got there alot.