Constantly feel anxious and overstimulated

[frothycoffee2]

I just feel like I’m in a constant state of being unorganised, anxious and overstimulated. A lot of it is probably to do with my younger dc who is lovely but literally does not give me a minute! So from the moment she’s awake she is asking for things and wanting attention. Simple jobs like housework or even getting out of the house feel like such a task.

I work part time and have older dc too who each have hobbies and commitments. Every weekend is taken up with something either work related or kid related leaving very little time for jobs and downtime. And when I do sit I just get anxiety about all the things I’ve got left to do. How do I turn it off?

My current stress is that I’m doing a birthday party for dc birthday (not until May!) so plenty of time but I’m already worrying about all the things I have to buy and prepare. Convincing myself it will be shit.

I have no support other than Dh but he works a lot and is sometimes away so most of the dc stuff falls on me. I can’t describe it any other way than feeling like I’m drowning in everyday life. Is it just me? Can anyone offer any tips on just how to chill the f out and not get so stressed and overwhelmed?

Bump

Lists! Lists are your friend 🤣 honestly when my kids were small, I was working and DH worked away in the week, I always had at least 3 lists on the go, for example school stuff, family stuff, household chores, birthday party to do list, shopping list, holiday planning etc etc. When I had 5/10 minutes I would sit and tick off what I'd done and write a to do list for the next day. Being organised was the only way I could juggle everything.

Thank you for replying. I have lots of notes and reminders in my phone! I just feel like I stress too much about things sometimes but im not sure how to turn it off. My friend threw her dc a party a few weeks ago and was so blasé about it. I’m panicking it 3 months in advance. Logically I know it’s pointless, I have time and it’ll be ok. Even if it’s a shit party it’s 2 hours then it’s done. My brain just overthinks everything I have to do, everything I have to buy and arrange, everything I have in the calendar and I wish I could be a bit more go with the flow.

I find this very relatable. Indeed, for various reasons I ended up on a mindfulness course where I suddenly realised that my mind is just constantly going over the things that I need to do - planning, checking etc. And I am missing all the pleasures around me. We started the course by paying attention to what we were drinking... and it was a revelation to drink a glass of lemon flavoured sparkling water and actually experience it! My mind is constantly elsewhere, worrying.
I realised that I am not really 'dropping any balls' - e.g. at work - everything is done on time and well. And that's good (of course) - but I'm paying too high a price for it. I need to learn to drop the odd ball! And - like you say - be able to have a party or whatever and just let it happen without it occupying months of thought. I want to be more like those people who don't plan everything properly in advance... so basically I'm just here for any advice you get from anyone who knows!
But having said all that, I think we might be in different life stages. My children are basically grown up. I have other issues going on, but even so I reckon I can maybe afford to take my foot of the gas slightly, and just need to learn how. But young children plus work is hard and does take a lot of organising!