The purpose of this blog is to share with you different trials and tribulations that so many of us experience. In the age of social media, you only get to see a person’s good side which can often alienate you and can assist you in feeling less than.

My hope is with me sharing different hardships and victories, you can see how common we all are.  

All the best,

Lauren

                                                                                                                                     Credit: Amanda Oleander 

First of all, did ya miss me??????

I cannot believe it has been 6 months since I have last written. I want to catch you all up with what prompted the halt as well as provide a lesson in slowing down. What better time to discuss such a topic, than during this COVID-19 social distancing period impacting all of us.

 I love helping others and found that putting out content is another way that I can assist others going through challenging times. I take pride in what I write and share and only want to put out my best. But, when life hit me hard; difficult and exciting challenges, I made a conscious decision to pause certain things in my life.

For years, I would say internally and aloud, that ‘everything important isn’t urgent’ as a grounding technique when I would begin to feel overwhelmed. After my last post in September 2019, I was hit with some family struggles as well as working to close on a home for me and my daughter. It was tough as I had to navigate and make major decisions on my own, but I only gave attention to what was pressing at that time. Slowing down didn’t derail other areas in my life, so I felt comfortable putting people, activities and duties on the backburner in order for me to not only keep my sanity, but to also not burn out and give up completely.

The phrase I chant simply means, that though something/someone is important, it is not something that needs to be handled NOW. It can be handled piece by piece or handled at a later time. This is also what mindfulness is; focusing on the here and now.

I want to share some ways to allow ourselves space to pause or slow down, but still move forward intentionally, so that all of our tasks, duties and commitments can be addressed and completed, while we remain whole instead of stressed and burned out.

Important vs Urgent:
-Does this task have a due date? If so, is it within the next hour, day or week?
-Based off when something needs to be completed, begin to map out how you can begin the task on a micro and macro level.
Organization:
-Do you have reminders: electronic/paper calendars, a task notebook or to-do list?
             *I like to just write everything down and then begin to pick apart what I need to work on first.
Delegation/Asking for help:
-Can some of the tasks for this goal be given to someone else to handle?

             *Before moving, I would send laundry out as my free time was extremely limited, but the laundry needed to get done. Or turning to certain staff                           members, so they can assist me with a goal that needed to be completed and would benefit the entire program.
-Understand that we cannot do everything alone and be open to receiving help.

               *Bartering childcare with friends; when I couldn't afford to pay monetarily,  in order for me to work on a project or work extra shifts helped me                           tremendously when my daughter was smaller.
Reassess:
-Is what you are doing working? What needs to be adjusted or completely thrown out?

-It is important to ask for feedback and remain open to hearing alternative ideas.
Rest/Re-centering:
-We are human before anything else and life happens despite our schedule. Sometimes we are not as productive on certain days and that is okay. If you need an extension, it is important to ask as soon as possible, so your needs can be met. Also, taking a break when needed is vital, as our bodies will tell us.
-We cannot pour from an empty cup; if overly tired, overwhelmed and frustrated, how well are we going to produce, work or be there for others? When tired, rest. Then start again.

Understanding the state of the world allows me to really focus on these tips and it lessens my anxiety and provides me with a sense of control in these uncertain times.

 How do you assess what is important versus urgent and how do you keep it all together?

 

Published March 25, 2020 

Everything important, isn’t urgent. Is it?

Lauren Giwa, LCSW

​Published December 3, 2018 

 Pass the sage!!!!!