I get so many emails asking me how I do it all with a “good attitude” and the reality is that I don’t, it is a constant battle to have a joyful serving heart! Over the last couple of weeks I’ve seen myself allow exhaustion and feelings of being worn out creep in! I’ve wanted to blog about just how much I have to do in the next month (moving house, a gnat infestation in our home (I have just shy of 100 bites!!!), a huge trip, a passport in need of renewing, two work projects, major car worries, two employers not paying me (for work backdating to November!), continuing struggles with BT, major restructuring needed in the youth group I run, trying to write policies for organizations unable to pay for policy development, not to mention the creche rota, day to day work duties, blogging and friends needing support!!!). At the same time I worry about how to save up enough to do some voluntary work abroad, things I could be doing to help others that seem so far off! I’ve wanted to whine & complain and get sympathy and moan about how much more I could be doing, only none of those things get me anywhere and in fact waste time better spent doing something!
I do not agree with the sentiment that I do more than most – to me that smacks the mentality of being able to bow out because you’ve done something. For me, if there are lonely people, starving people, people in need then we all need to look at how we can re-arrange things to do more, look around and try to do more little things, or help/encourage others to get involved etc. Today I decided to take the time to chat to a great friend of mine who does nursing missionary work in Africa. I was explaining my worries & anxieties and how I feel so overwhelmed at all the mundane things I need to do which prevent me from doing more, she listened and then gave me the best advice possible, she told me to focus on all that I can do today. As soon as her words were out I felt at peace. I only need to worry about what I can accomplish today, how I can help someone today, how I can save more today. So today I can send email reminders to this weeks creche team, write an email chasing the payment to HR, get my work done (split into small chunks), make my kitchen clean & tidy, go for a walk, print off the forms for the passport renewal and book my train ticket to London. I can continue to look around at those around me in need and save some pennies to go to China. All those things may be small, but they get what needs to be done done without feeling overwhelmed, without thinking I have to tackle 15 things at once, without worrying about how much more that needs to be done. I’m learning that instead of striving to be the a better person all the time, I can focus on being the best person I can be today, knowing that it will make it easier tomorrow – all because of what I accomplish & learn today. I feel a great deal of peace about it all now and that is a good feeling. Oh and I guess I should admit having a clean kitchen makes a lot of my stress evaporate! Might work for you too! :)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own“ Matthew 6:34
I’ve had over 100 cat flea bites at one time; i understand how.. uncomfortable it is. BT are annoying (i know someone who works for them, who agrees) and your kitchen is beautiful
From Saturday i’ll be living with two guys and a girl; doubt i’ll be able t post any clean/tidy pictures of our kitchen after the first day
Wishing you luck with all your plans,
~Rose
LOL oh celestial good luck! House mates can be tough, I’m very blessed to be in a great situation!
Your post was a needed read today, thank you. You are so right, just focus on one day at a time and I agree that a clean kitchen can make the world of difference.
AMEN!
So true, I sometimes get that “overwhelmed” “why am I doing all this” feeling. Focusing on one day at a time is right. I have also found that giving myself some slack when I can’t get it all done is good as well. I have to realize that life is a journey, sometimes I get overwhelmed when looking at the final place I want to be instead of focusing on all the little things I’m doing at the moment.
It is something I’m really struggling with at the moment!
Great advice, thank you for the reminder.
You sure seem busy… I hope everything works out as you have planned.
And BTW, your kitchen is impeccably clean!
I think my busyness caught up with me!
Great advice Frugal – so many things to worry and do and so little time – all the time! Being the best that you can in a single day is the best we can be. Thanks for the post! And nice clean kitchen!
It is a constant battle Frances but one that works in the end!
Abso***lutely! I read yesterday a quote which I think I am going to make big and stick on the wall in a family motto sort of way
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” Theodore Rooseveldt. (our son is named after him btw so it means more to me perhaps).
And the other one, was that there is not someone so foolish as the man who does nothing because he can only do a little….
top bananas
Oooh Mo I love that quote!!
You are one tidy lady
It is horrible to feel overwhelmed isn’t it? I seem to have a never ending list at the moment – I’m going to take your advice on board for tomorrow.
I find the more I try to do at once the less far I get….
That is very true Anna!
Isn’t it great that sometimes just by talking to someone they can give you the perspective you need. Great advice, and glad that it has helped you feel better
Cheers Judy
Judy I’m certainly someone who needs to talk it out and it really works for me!
I always seem to be running, running, running and I worry that I don’t quite get everything done. It can be overwhelming but I have learned that it is not the end of the world if I don’t get to the bottom of my “To Do” list.
And I totally agree about having a clean kitchen. If mine is in a mess it makes me feel very disorganised and I then can’t focus on all those things that need to be done.
Great blog!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one
Great piece of advice from your friend. I think my head is more sorted when things are clean and tidy around me too.
Lisa
That’s how I feel Lisa!
Great post! Thank you for the encouragement. And a clean kitchen DOES help.
So glad it works for others too!
So true! There is no better stress reliever than a clean kitchen! In fact that is my goal for today, so I need to go do it!!
Blessings!
Hope you met your goal!!!
Yup. One thing at a time is the way to go. And your kitchen is WAY more minimalist than mine! Have a good weekend x
I am growing into more and more of a minimalist!
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