Survival mode, as frustrating and exhausting as it is, serves a purpose of sorts … it helps us “make it” through when we have overbooked or over-planned, or in some other way over committed ourselves.
Ever felt like you are in survival mode, barely getting by? That’s me in this phase of life. The exhaustion is prevalent, regardless of how many hours I sleep (or how many naps I take). For those of you who understand what the heck I’m talking about, this is what I’m doing to get by.
- Giving myself grace and taking a nap (or two) when needed.
- Drinking lots of tea (primarily peppermint but occasionally black mint tea, as that is all I can stomach lately and I have to watch my caffeine).
- Doing my best to exercise every day in some way, shape, or form … if nothing else, at least getting in 10,000 steps.
- Eating as healthily as I can manage with near-constant nausea (I follow the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle – you can read my review of the plan book, and also why I think those with mental illness should try Trim Healthy Mama).
- Saying YES to a coach (in this case, a Trim Healthy Mama coach) to keep me motivated and on-track.
- Surrounding myself with as much love and support as I can.
On top of all of that, though, there are things I’m NOT doing that I should be doing. Things I keep saying I’ll “do soon”, but somehow keep getting overlooked or passed by. These are definitely things to consider on your journey through survival mode.
Survival Mode: What I’m NOT Doing (But Should Do)
- Taking things off my (very full) plate. Although I normally can manage this amount, in this time and season it is too much – and I’m finding that hard to accept.
- Saying NO when asked to do something beyond what is already expected/required/otherwise beneficial.
- Planning less to-do’s, and handing off what I can to someone else.
The list above sounds so simple … but it’s harder said than done. As stated above, admitting that in this time and season I am less capable of accomplishing “everything” than in previous stages of life, is very difficult to accept.
Saying NO is probably the hardest of the three, because in my mind it means passing the burden to someone else. I mean, if I don’t do it, someone else will have to … right? It’s the hardest to say no when someone I love is asking. Definitely a strength to work on building.
The third goes right along with the first … if I plan for less each day, I’m less likely to be disappointed with myself by the end of it. Bonus: if you have someone you can hand off tasks to, even better! The work gets done, but you don’t have to spend your (limited) functional time doing it!
Have you found yourself in survival mode lately? What are you doing that helps? What do you know you should do, but are neglecting? Let me know in the comments below.
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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