AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Have you ever looked at your to-do list and had this reaction? Or had so much stuff to do that you decide taking a nap will be your best plan of action? You are not alone!!!

Recently, I had a big life change. I quit my job and moved across the country to start business school. I am having a BLAST! Getting to know new people, exploring a new city, learning at a great school- all of it is amazing. The best part is that this is something I have been praying for and dreaming about for a long time. To see it come to fruition radiates an overwhelming sense of gratitude throughout my whole being. It’s so amazing to know you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Sometimes though, it can be a little stressful. While I am grateful and am having the time of my life, I have also been struggling with balance. I had a huge life change and there’s so much going on at one time that I’ve been overwhelmed. I always feel behind and like I’m never doing enough. It seems that there aren’t enough hours in the day and that I never finish everything I want to get done. Keeping up any semblance of a routine: a workout routine, an eating schedule- let alone meal prep, a sleep schedule, etc., has been nearly impossible. This frenetic and anxious energy has been permeating into other areas of my life, affecting my studies, my friendships and dampening my zest for this new adventure.

So the question is, what do I do? How can I transform this energy back to the passionate enthusiasm for my daily tasks and not become so shaken by everything around me? Then it hit me:

Get back to the basics!

When I moved out here, I stopped doing the things that keep me grounded. I had to get back to my foundation. So if you are ever feeling overwhelmed or struggling, here are three ways to bring it back to your center:

1.    Prioritize.
When it comes to tasks, ask yourself 3 questions: Do I love/enjoy it? Does it make me better? Is this going to help me get from where I am to where I want to be? Pay attention to how you answer these questions, then prioritize!!! If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, then you can cut it out of your schedule. Time is our most valuable resource and there are 24 hours in a day. We choose to make time for what we want. Choose wisely. Evaluate your tasks and to-do lists and make sure you complete what is important to you and your goals. Make sure what’s truly important to you gets done.

2.    Take care of YOU!
If you don’t take care of yourself then you won’t be able to take care of anything else in your life. You have to take care of yourself. Point, blank, period. This means taking care of your health, your mind, your spirit and your soul. Self-love and self-care are daily tasks. We can often get so caught up in pouring into others that we forget to pour into ourselves. This is a dangerous cycle because it leaves us empty and tired. So whatever “you” time looks like- the beach, rest, a quiet dinner, exercise, family time, yoga, girls nights, mediation, journaling, dancing, the spa, vacation- do that! There are no rules for Loving On Me Days except that you have to have them!

3.    Always do your best.
Know that whatever you did is enough. You are enough. Do what you can and let God handle the rest.

I would love to hear some of the ways you deal when you feel overwhelmed. Please share your best tips and tricks below! Hugs!