I get a lot of questions about how I do all the different pieces of my life without getting overwhelmed.
Being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur and a professional surfer while balancing everything else on my plate gets super crazy sometimes! Trust me, I know what it’s like to have those days of paralyzing stress – where making the smallest decision can put you over the edge of breaking down in tears. But, after many years of navigating this hectic and beautiful lifestyle, I’ve honed in on some essential keys to help support me through overwhelming situations.
Here are the things I’ve learned and what I’m always trying to put into practice:
1. Don’t Do it Alone
My husband is my greatest help and support in everything from parenting to working to training. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing half of the things I’m doing today. Also, I have an awesome team of people who work for me and manage things behind the scenes. I’ve intentionally sought out these like-minded and talented individuals and they do so much on my behalf. This helps me have a little less on my plate because we can do it together.
So my encouragement for you is to find those people in your life:
Who is your support system? Who can tag-team things with you? Who can encourage you when you get frustrated and overwhelmed? Who can you bounce ideas off of? Deepen those relationships so that you aren’t doing everything by yourself.
2. Prioritize Alone Time with God
Yes, this is really hard to do sometimes when the kids are screaming, I’m prepping for upcoming podcasts and I’m packing suitcases like a crazy person for an upcoming trip! BUT, I’ve learned that even just five minutes to take some deep breaths and pray can reset my mind and emotions for the rest of the day.
The overwhelming days are an opportunity to lean on God in a new way.
I usually try for much more time alone with God than just five minutes, but sometimes I can’t even get one minute alone! This is when I try to pray throughout my day or listen to worship music or a sermon online just so I am still reminding myself of God’s promises to me.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
3. Get Exercise
My favorite thing to do when I’m overwhelmed is to go surf! It clears my mind and rejuvenates me so well! When I can’t get to the beach, I do a little workout or go for a walk. The goal is just to get outside and get my body moving! After I exercise, I can face the day with greater motivation and strength.
How can you get your body moving?
Maybe it’s as simple as doing a few push-ups or dancing to a song or two if you don’t have much time! (Adam and I are taking dance lessons – it’s been so fun and life-giving for both of us!)
When those days of overwhelming stress hit you like a ton of bricks…
..like it often does when you’re managing a household and balancing so many other things, remember what Christ has done for us and that these crazy moments are opportunities for our faith to grow.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
I’m cheering you on today to tackle your overwhelm! You’re not alone. You are loved and you are His. You’ve got this!
