Overwhelmed

[Lovethyselfff]

Wasn’t sure whether to post this here or Mental Health.
I just feel so overwhelmed with everything! I’m a single mum to a 2 and 9 year old. Working full time from home. My ex left me at Christmas and he has the kids every other weekend and one night during the week.
I feel like I have constant worries going round in my head, keeping my kids entertained, work, need to lose weight, need to exercise, need to get better with money and save up etc
I find it’s a Struggle to sit down and write a food plan for the week and end up either ordering takeaway or going to Lidl everyday!
I know
That I will few so much better if I start cooking properly, eating healthy, exercising but I just cannot motivate myself!! Even when I think of my ex and the ow it still doesn’t spur me on to diet !
I’m so busy at work but find it really hard to concentrate and get distracted easily by going down the Internet rabbit hole!

I don’t really know what I’m asking really! I few like I need someone to come and take charge and run my life for me

I think you are wonderful and also being harsh on yourself. Perhaps you could start by making one meal from scratch and take it from there if you have the energy, but don't beat yourself up over it.

Trying to be supermum when you already are in my book is only going to make you more anxious.

Thank you @Anordinarymum...think it’s time to up my antidepressants. It just feels like I’ll few like this forever

It has just been the hardest 4 months for many people and the fact you are managing to keep going, look after your kids and work and do it by yourself shows what a great job you're doing. Be kind to yourself. The rest will come with time. Easier said than done, but stress causes weight gain/overeating for many. Your kids could choose a meal each a week - thats 2 days sorted! Even get them to help with the cooking and make it a family activity!

Chin up -it will get better!

You are amazing. My relationship broke down 3 years ago. Not during a pandemic and it was the hardest thing I had to get through.

Be kind to yourself. Keep meals simple. Scrambled egg and beans on toast. Baked potatoes. Etc. I cook on the days I don't work. Four days a week. Then we have simple dinners the days I work. I have a list of about 20 dinner we all like and plan my shopping list around them.

You will get more organised in time. Be proud of yourself. And take each day as it comes.

You are doing a fantastic job and I really take my hat off to you. Your kids are going to be so proud of you when they are old enough to realise just how much you do. What about investing in some tupper wear and preping a few meals at weekend whilst the kids are with dad and storing them in the fridge or freezer ready to heat up in the week

You are not alone in this. Its tough but you are doing a fantastic job even by muddling though. Don't be hard on yourself. I've been hard on myself and it made it harder.

Thanks for all the replies...I upped my tablets a week ago so hoping to see an improvement. Think I have a lot of suppressed stress going on.
Going to try and do baby steps to get my life back on track

Oh my goodness OP, you sound incredibly strong and a great role model to your children. Of course you're overwhelmed, you're working full time, doing the lions share of childcare and running a household! Sounds like you need a bit of self care. I'm in a similar position, but almost three years on now since my exH left suddenly.

You've got all the strength you need to deal with this, and your children will be very proud. Practical stuff: I commit myself to cooking from scratch a minimum of x3 nights per week, no more. If I can, I make one of these a batch cook, so I've got second helpings in the freezer for the following week. I don't feel guilty about a couple of ready meals and freezer tapas for tea on other days. The Friday night my DD goes to her dad for the weekend, I order myself pizza and put my feet up with wine and a movie. Housework waits until I've had a big sleep. I commit myself to x1 exercise per week, just a run. Then I find I'm spurred on to do more most weeks and it feels amazing. I do a run outside after I've dropped kids at nursery before I sit down to my laptop for the day. I make one evening a week 'admin night'. Pay bills, renew insurance, school paperwork, whatever, and an online food shop for delivery Sunday evening, so we're set for the week. And you know what? I'm not perfect and don't get it all done, and I remind myself that I'm only human and doing an awesome job - you are too :)