These are the indicators I check when I am feeling overwhelmed: sleep, nutrition, water, time with Eric, time to read and think, sunlight, exercise, and balanced hormones. So simple…but so easy to miss some of these!
I’m just going to be honest. I get overwhelmed a few days a month, and I kind of stomp around the house and/or cry to my husband about how “I just can’t do it anymore.”
Then, after a good sleep, I usually wake up saying something like, “I don’t know what my problem was yesterday. Sorry about that.”
Well, that’s been going on for a long time, and we finally figured out a very specific prescription to deal with the craziness.
Joining me today on Power of Moms Radio is my husband, Eric. He is my number one support, and honestly, after going through another one of my outbursts the other day, I felt it was my duty to tell you what we do about it. (Because I’m pretty sure you go through these challenges, too!)
The podcast is linked below, and in the Show Notes, you can see an actual picture of my “prescription” and access a brand new program Eric and I have launched over at LearnDoBecome.
Hope this is helpful!
Show Notes
Here’s a photo of my letter to myself that we discussed in the podcast:
Want to find out how we organize together as a couple–so we’re on the same page and moving toward the same goals?
THANK YOU!!! I LOVE applicable information and this is truly prescriptive. I’m listening thinking, “I can do this! I will do this!” WOW! Although I’ve only been listening to your podcasts for less than a week, I’m in awe of how relevant everything I’m listening to is to my life. Everything is just resonating so loudly. I am not alone. We know that at a head level, but I think it’s finally starting to sink in.
Thank you! I needed this! I had a meltdown myself last night- my husband out of town, kids with crazy schedules @Christmas, church calling stuff, recitals, and stomach flu, etc. I was feeling totally overwhelmed and unable to catch up. Those expectations of ourselves never change no matter when our circumstances do, and that leads into the meltdown stage. I tearfully apologized to each of my children last night, but even so i felt just raw.I’m totally doing this, and even going to let my kids know when they see symptoms to *kindly* send me to my room for some space!! ;). I opened up LDS.org and saw the link to Elder Holland’s talk from conference, and also listened to this. I’m feeling like I can move forward. And I have some tools needed to do so! Which I was praying for last night and today–thank you.
I just have to say, Eric Perry–wow. Just wow. Husband of the Year Award!
“I love you, what do you need?” That is a brilliant phrase! I am going to teach this to my husband. 😉
I listened to this episode during my workout this morning… my husband was in the kitchen getting coffee and he even stopped and listened for awhile. I told him my RX would also be “give me a nap, a book, some quiet time…”! It was so refreshing to realize I’m not the only one that has days that I feel like I’m “crazy”. Hormones are a powerful thing!! Thanks for being transparent. I discovered your podcasts a few months ago and LOVE them. They have become something I look forward to! THANK YOU!! God bless you!
Thank you for this podcast. You were describing me. Especially where I don’t recognize that something is “off”–I’m always this way! Except that I’m not! I will listen to this with my husband.
Exactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you so much.
This was awesome! Thank you!
Such a great podcast…thank you. I am writing out some notes for myself, and actually am going to find a way to tweak this concept for my daughter- for her to have something when she feels a little out of control. I loved the down to earth and very real approach to this- I think that we all have our variations of this experience and when we know what to do instead of just feeling like a failure it is so valuable. Thank you for this!!!
Such a great idea to apply this idea for your children! Wishing you the best. 🙂 xoxo
This podcast was very helpful. The idea of writing a letter to myself is brilliant. Thank you Eric and April, I am so happy to be part of the Power of Moms and LearnDoBecome communities.
Thanks so much, Karina! I’m sometimes surprised how often I need that letter. 🙂 Glad to have you with us!
April, thank you! I listened to this tonight as one of my efforts to take better care of myself and your description of you sound so much like me. We must be soul sisters. I wish I had heard this a few weeks ago when I had a “perfect storm” myself that sent me into a horrible downward spiral for nearly a week and a half. The things you list here are many of the things I realized I wasn’t doing and your list is a perfect snapshot for me. I only added one thing to my list, “Have you had time to sing, dance, play the piano, or create something beautiful today?” These are things that feed my soul too. Giant hug of thanks!
Ann, I LOVE that extra question. Creating something beautiful is a need ALL of us have. Thank you for sharing that! Here’s to reducing our number of downward spirals. 🙂
Thank you so much for the podcast, show notes, and for taking the time to find out what episode Eric was referring to. Before you two were even half way through, I knew this was something I wanted my husband to listen to and I wanted to see that Raymond show with him! I have such a hard time expressing these things in words and it’s usually because I’m trying to do it when under distress. This is so much better talked about when we are all feeling good and have greater perspective. And the checklist is just the tool I need when my mind and emotions are in a whirl!
So glad this was helpful, Allison! Sometimes I feel embarrassed sharing so much online, but I’ve discovered that a lot of people struggle with the same thing. 🙂
Thank you April and Eric. Great ideas! I appreciate your openness and sharing the details behind how this sticky note came about. The timing of me finding this is perfect. Eric, I am so glad April has convinced you (of course maybe you were the instigator) to be a part of this mission of hers. Your power together is even greater. Keep it up.
You’re such a great cheerleader, K’Lyn! Thank you for your encouragement. Excited to see how your sticky note looks. 🙂