Here’s where we left off at the end of “Getting Off The Back Burners” Part One:

√  You acknowledged that self care is important. (woop woop!)

√  You identified the value of your self-care to you, your family and work.

√  You committed to making it happen.

Then you started to take action.

You decided that you would not let another day go by without getting your self-care off the back burner.

You identified at least 1 self-care item that you would put on your schedule.

It may have been a weekly to-do:

1.  Go to the bathroom without being disturbed by a toddler.
2.  Blissfully stare at a wall for 10 minutes (that qualifies as meditation, you know)
3.  Take a walk alone or with an adult that makes you laugh.
4.  Read a trashy magazine while getting a pedicure or manicure (wonderful combo!)
5.  Talk to a friend on the phone or, spend an hour with your phone turned off.
6.  Take a bath, nap or sleep in late.
7.  Do some exercise that makes you sweat.

Whatever it was, you lit a fire under that sucker and started to stir up some “taking care of business” stew.  Right mamas?

You penned that self-care item in your calendar, schedule, blackberry or i-phone and you started to make it happen.

But what happened when “overwhelm” stuck its nose into the stew and turned it upside down?

After all, in order to schedule in the self-care, you had to find people to watch the kids, ask your husband to “take over for an hour,” and basically operate with the stealth of Mata Hari to make it all happen.

But what about when something small changes, your schedule gets compressed and you get overwhelmed?

Something’s GOT to give – right?

Or does it?

Instead of looking at where you can cut things out, maybe you can look at delegation and expansion?

Because you and I both know, when things are identified for cutting – we choose the things that don’t affect other people.

This way we don’t have to explain or let anyone down.  We will jump through hoops to get the cupcakes to the bake sale, but how many hoops will we jump through to get to the gym?

No one will know that we didn’t get time at the gym and we can get our hair cut next week.  The roots are already an inch of grey, but something’s GOT to give, right?

Maybe not.

Maybe this is about seeing it all as a priority and viewing solutions from that perspective?

Does it makes sense to give up your haircut in return for an unexpected event?

Absolutely.

“But more often, we give up our self care for things that don’t need our full attention and when we are busy we need our self-care more than ever!”

Instead of putting that self-care on the back burner, we should be turning up the heat and getting help.

Coach Me Quick Tips for Overhauling Overwhelm

1.  When you feel like something has to be cut from the schedule, look for something you can delegate and delegate it. 

2.  Next, find something that can be delayed that is not your self-care and delay it.

3.  Finally, if someone asks you to do something at the last minute, practice saying no. It is ok to say no if it means giving up something that is important to your well being.

4.  Stay tuned for part 3: Reaping the benefits and building on your success!