Image courtesy of Latina Moms
More than ever, we are feeling drained and washed out. Overwhelmed. Burnt out. If this sounds like you — you are not alone.
Even though we’re not in danger, we still live in an ongoing global pandemic. On top of that, as a collective, we’re experiencing horrifying media headlines daily — and we haven’t even gotten into talking about our personal lives.
It’s hard watching these tragedies happen; it seems like every week there’s a new massacre, a new deadly disease — when will we catch a break?
If you’re feeling burnt out in any (if not all) aspect of your life, it’s time to step back and talk about it. Are we more burnt out than ever? Are we collectively experiencing more stress than years before? Why are we going through this during a period when we’re still coping and grieving those lost during the peak of COVID-19?
It’s a lot, I know.
While we can’t fix the world, it’s time to take a few deep breaths and get to the core of our overwhelmedness. Ask yourself: what’s causing you to feel mentally or physically drained? Is it because of a routine change? Or maybe your higher self is suggesting a change in your routine? Lately, I haven’t been able to exercise as much as I used to, so I am feeling physically uncomfortable. My mind is asking my body to get back to it. Last year, I was working out five times a week — it was a total non-negotiable act of self-love, and I was so disciplined over it.
Now, like many others, my motivation feels like an emotional rollercoaster. Some days, it’s not there. Other times, I feel 100 percent determined again. But you know what I’ve learned?
I’ve learned that besides commitment, routines, and discipline. Good Therapy described self-compassion as the “ability to turn understanding, acceptance, and love inward.” It means digging deeper into yourself and recognizing that you, too, deserve the kindness you give to others.
Take, for example, the compassion we give to our children. What do we do when they make a mistake, feel sick, and feel out of it? We stop what we’re doing and listen. We listen to their feelings and think of ways to better what’s happening. Why not do the same when there’s something wrong with yourself?
Take this opportunity to figure out the core reason for this feeling, and plan a realistic pathway to climb out of it. At the end of the day, we moms must recognize our moods to function enough to prioritize our children. And what’s more important than our loved ones?