i have an audio podcast subscription thingy, and this is episode #38… it’s about Overwhelm.
“What are your tips on avoiding overwhelm?” Primrose asks. I say something smart-ass like “hide, run, avoid it all costs. Just don’t go there at all.” Then I figured I could do a podcast about overwhelm.
And i talk about how you might feel like a clam.
It’ll make more sense when you listen, I promise.
ok, so here’s the extract from the podcast; this section is about 3 minutes long (the full thing is 23 minutes). This clip begins right when I’m talking about how I’m super sensitive to noise, and tags, and the pillow being not-quite-right.
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Feedback from listeners:
Primrose: “I’m definitely with you on the oversensitivity thing. there are too many voices around here, both my kids and the ones in my head saying don’t forget to post that letter and what are we having for dinner and and and just STOP ALREADY! and so I get really really irritated by anyone else’s music playing.”
Overndout: “I had to smile when you used my swimming lesson ‘tragedy’ … I wasn’t really understanding the whole overwhelm thing but what struck a chord with me is that how could I? … I’m so busy punishing myself that there is no way I would be able to recognize an oncoming overwhelm situation. It’s just always overwhelming and sometimes more than others but because I’m hyper-sensitive to everything it doesn’t take much. I may have had a light bulb moment!”
Ruby: “Wow! Clam … Great analogy. Your podcast came at such a great time. I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted … This is a new concept: disengagement as valid, important and kind act of self-care. A new permission to opt out. Very wise, Belle. I plan to take more breaks and sooner — periodic check-ins so I can begin recognizing and feeling my boundaries as I go along. Now that you framed it Belle, pushing, forcing and proving myself to my very tippy edges now sounds ridiculously dangerous. You have helped me. Thank you.”
Yes, yes, yes!!! omg you are so insightful! How did you know this? I smell too much, hear too much, feel too much, I’m like a giant ball of exposed nerves. Are we all like this? Really?
I caught myself taking very deep meditative breaths listening to this podcast. I think that is a good sign, I was letting go of overwhelm. Then I went and took a nap. It was so nice to give myself permission to relax!