Oh the irony…talking here about mental decluttering whilst my own brain feels absolutely full to bursting. 

Hmmm. 

No surprises there I guess, and this is the real nature of the real world. 

There is a lot going on, and I – like many of you – wear a number of hats and carry out a number of different roles. Inevitably, there are seasons when each of those roles becomes busier and more demanding and on occasion, this seems to happen ALL AT ONCE. 

So, we think we have successfully dealt with brain soup, only to find ourselves right back where we started. 

When I mused about brain soup a few weeks back, a blog follower posted a fabulous comment asking me to expand a little on what the passing croutons might be that come along to rescue us from the viscosity of the soup. 

This came back to me today after a number of recent conversations. 

One such conversation was about anxiety and overwhelm when considering a future event, and the need to stop, step back and not only acknowledge past achievements but celebrate them. 

A different conversation but an equally important one was about the importance of recognising limits and saying no before the over capacity stage was reached. 

An oft repeated refrain resurfaced, of focusing on what is good and what I am thankful for, rather than feeling buried under what is not good and where I feel out of control. More on this here. 

The importance of taking time to self reflect regularly, to check in with myself as to how I am, what I need, and where I am tempted to lose perspective. 

So, put all these together, and what do you get? 

I started the week feeling slightly overwhelmed and daunted by up coming tasks, and the volume of all that is going on. But the prompt to self reflection and the conversation about thanksgiving made me take a few minutes and raise my head above the brain soup.

I stopped. And breathed.

I listed all the things that I HAVE achieved in the past few weeks in the areas where I was feeling overloaded. I also listed all that I am thankful for in the same areas, as specifically as I could.

Seeing it all written down, and suddenly my perspective changes. Rather than feeling caught up in all that is to come, and slipping down a tricky slope of not being good enough, or not having enough time/energy/skills/wisdom for what is ahead, I experienced a different response:

Thanksgiving.

Seems fitting in this week when America is celebrating thanksgiving. To all my friends and readers across the pond, I wish you a very happy thanksgiving. 

To those of us for whom this is not a recognised holiday, I encourage you to take a few minutes this week and list all that you are thankful for about your life. Look at who you are, what you have achieved, what is good. It is a powerful way of feeling more equipped for what is ahead. 

So for this week, and no doubt weeks to come, these have served as passing croutons to bring rescue and renewed energy:

Taking time to stop and reflect on can, have and am rather than can’t, haven’t and am not. 

Listing all that I have achieved, and that is good, especially in areas of extra busyness. 

Expressing thanksgiving for that and for those who have helped.

Pat, for you!