Overwhelm is a choice. Overflow is a choice. Which are you choosing?

 

OUCH! I just stepped on my own toes. We live in a day and age where women are completely over-extended and exhausted.

“Balancing” your busy life is impossible. The Fit Soul Tribe has a mantra “Opt-Out of Overwhelm and Operate from Overflow”.

Here are a few signs you are Operating from “Overwhelm”

Are you always tired?

Is your schedule so full that you feel anxiety every time you take a look?

Are you unable to be present with yourself and the important people in your life?

Do you feel like you are constantly trying to meet the expectations of others?

You’ve lost your sense of purpose and meaning.

You’ve strayed from your life priorities.

You have unfocused attention or the inability to focus.

           Self-care is non-existent

You escape or avoid overwhelm by scrolling social media, shopping, food, alcohol, etc.

 

There is a better way! It takes intention. It is a process that will need to adjust as your schedule and life changes.

 

Learning to operate from “overflow” is and will be an on-going process, but it is worth the effort. As you already know, “overwhelm” is not serving you or the important people in your life.

As a health coach, this is a priority in my own life, as well as in all of my clients’ lives. If we are not proactive and intentional in this area of life, we will be exhausted and burned out. We simply cannot be our best selves when we are exhausted, frazzled, worn out and depleted of emotional and physical resources.

Everything in life is a choice. We always have a choice. I want to invite you to choose Operating from Overflow. Let this be a mantra in your life. Here are a few tips that will help you operate from overflow:

 

TIP 1. PRIORITIZE EVERYTHING

Know your life priorities for the season you are in currently. Then schedule and protect your calendar in a way that honors your priorities. My priorities are God, family, work, friends and then the rest. Your priorities might be different. Have the “long-game” in mind with how you are spending your time, energy, resources and important relationships.

 

TIP 2. MARGIN

Create and maintain “Breathing Room” – the space between your current pace and your limits. I love how @sandrawstanley says this.

 

TIP 3. GRATITUDE

The daily practice of gratitude helps us stay more positive and in a better “headspace”.

 

TIP 4. PRAYER/MEDITATION

The practice of meditation helps to restore balance. I use the Abide app and practice a scripture-guided meditation.

 

TIP 5. BOX-BREATHING

Let out all of the air in your lungs to the count of four. Keep your lungs empty for a count of four. Inhale for a count of four. Keep your lungs full for a count of four. This helps to stimulate your parasympathetic system which produces a calm and relaxed feeling in the mind and body.

 

TIP 6. JUST SAY NO

Stop over-extending. Practice saying your “gracious no” to people and things and activities. It is okay to say, “No!”

 

TIP 7. LIMIT SCREEN TIME

Decrease all screen time. This is a huge time waster – and it makes one feel overwhelmed, and less happy.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

In The Fit Soul programs, we focus on these 4 pillars of health: Nutrition, Fitness, Stress management, and Soul. Priority-based living is one of our 12 non-negotiable healthy habits that help us with stress management and nourish us at a soul-level. Priority-based living also will help you make wiser food choices and prioritize your exercise. This non-negotiable healthy habit will impact all 4 pillars of health and literally change your life.

So, friend, join me as I journey to live a priority-based life and operate from overflow.

xoxo,