My Cure for Feeling Overwhelmed: The Three P’s

by on September 7, 2011 5 Comments

On nine ballerinas, moving to Calgary and prioritizing my life

By Natasha Files | Twitter: @natashafiles

A few days after settling into my new life amidst the flames and cowboys of Calgary, I found myself slightly overwhelmed. It’s not the fact that I am the main house parent to nine quirky ballerinas, nor that I am in a full-time Masters program that requires countless pages of paper writing. No, I think the pressure is coming from my lack of organization and an inability to conceptualize the coming weeks.

Have you ever had a moment where you felt completely engulfed in confusion, but knew you would eventually work it out? This past week has been like that, where I had seen the light at the end of the tunnel, but running to it was equitable to running through thick air during a nightmare. Well, I finally figured out how to cut that air and reach the light: patience, prioritizing & planning.

Or: PPP.

I know, so corny, but I find it easier having acronyms or fun sayings to remind myself about healthy coping. Here is how I unpackaged and found my three P’s were most helpful:

1)   Patience – I asked myself to identify my specific stressors and divide the factors I can control vs the ones I can’t. After realizing that not everything in my bundle of stress is within my power to change, I acknowledged my need to trust and focus on the process rather than chomp at the bit for an end result.

Reflect: Feeling overwhelmed? Can you make a list of the main contributors to your stress? Within that list, what is in your power to change? Which parts do you need to eliminate? Which parts do you need to hand over to God?

2)   Prioritization – this is a big one for me because I get so excited about opportunities to get involved. This week I had to remind myself that I am a full-time mother and a full-time student, so maybe I need to step back from a few responsibilities this season. I highlighted my personal goals (spiritual, physical, relational, financial and educational) and decided what is at the top of my list and what might need to be paused or stopped.

Reflect: What are your current personal goals? How do your current responsibilities line up with these desires? Can anything be shifted or decreased?

3)   Planning – Once I recognized the most important commitments for this season, I made a schedule. I ensured I will have enough time to fully embrace my current responsibilities and passions, and reminded myself that stepping back from certain areas does not make me less of a woman.

Reflect: How can you schedule your life so that important commitments and passions do not become overwhelming burdens?

Making Room

A bittersweet aspect of my current 3 P’s is that some of my favourite activities are being paused or stopped. When I planned, I chose to focus on allowing more room for the most precious commitments of this season and, unfortunately, had strong boundaries with giving those commitments enough space. The end result? Certain passions are currently paused. Despite the heartache of this decision, I have peace and know I am honoring myself and avoiding burn out.

One of the commitments that will soon go on pause is my weekly wellness piece with SheLoves magazine. As mentioned above, I have had to have strong boundaries with myself to avoid burnout in this new season and am no less passionate about SheLoves or wellness because of this decision. I am honoured to have had space to share my experiences and a forum to offer resources in such a supportive community. I will still be following other entries and sharing this site with as many people as possible, and hope to eventually return with a fresh perspective. I so love SheLoves magazine <3

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With this, my beautifully powerful SheLoves sisters, I am curious to hear your thoughts:

1) How is your current life situation? Does it need a do-over with the 3 P’s?

2) What is an area where you could benefit from being a little more patient?

3) What areas of your life would you prioritize in this season and how can you plan to ensure they have space?

About Natasha:
Natasha Files is Case Manager with a Mental Health and Addictions Team. She has experience working with youth and adults struggling with a variety of life-controlling issues and she specializes in eating disorders. Natasha’s passion for mental wellness began when she personally experienced the impact of a genuinely caring professional. That passion is paired with a love of espresso, only to be overshadowed by her desire to see women set free from life-controlling issues.

Natasha Files

Natasha Files

Natasha is a Youth Worker and Mental Health Advocate specializing in the area of eating disorders. Her passion for mental wellness is paired with a love of espresso, only to be overshadowed by her desire to see women set free from life-controlling issues.
Natasha Files
Filed Under: Love, Loving Myself, Self-Care, Wellness Column, Women
  • Ashley Mandanici

    Great article friend- and I’m going to miss my well-ness counseling that I vicariously receive through your articles! I surely need to implement all the “p’s”! I think I’m better with prioritizing at work than I am with my personal life… I’m ashamed to admit that most of what occurs in my personal life happens by default. I need to be a bit more intentional with more than just work! Again- awesome piece friend!

  • http://www.tinafrancisphotography.com/ Tina

    Aw Tasha,

    This couldn’t have come at a better time…!

    With the half-marathon round the corner, my life is ALL about the 3 P’s. This morning felt (a little) less chaotic than my usual Wednesday morning because I spent almost all of Tuesday night responding to 27 emails sitting in my inbox. I had procrastinated on sending responses even though I had a long-weekend.

    There was something about ripping off the band-aid and doing the work that was high-priority that allowed me to savour the 20 minutes of reading time before bed.

    I didn’t have to deal with the nagging guilt.

    Oh guilt… Isn’t she a terrible mistress?

    Coming back to you, I want to say that I am SO proud of you for sailing through the seasons of life so beautifully! I remember the first time we met you rattled off your 5 year plan. You were still doing your undergrad at the time. I remember you telling me about moving to Calgary to do your Masters. I made a joke about how I didn’t want to get too close to you because everyone I care about seems to move away!

    Back then, I was amazed that you had your life mapped out. Now, I’m amazed that you stick to the plan and that you finish strong. It’s inspiring.

    I’m so proud of you love.

    P.S. I will be thinking of you on the 25th. I will miss you! xox

  • http://conniethoughts.wordpress.com Connie Jakab

    Hey! Welcome to Calgary! I moved here from Vancouver 5 years ago! Sending a big welcome to you! If you need a good church home or any help with anything, please let me know!

  • Leah

    Well put Natasha. I can hear your voice speaking this truth about the PPPs. I certainly always need more patience with my two lovely tots, I certainly need to plan my entire week after having a spontaneously superb summer for 10 weeks, and my own priorities, well, they often get shelved. So things that are important to me are now highlighted in pink on the family schedule. Thanks so much for this you rock my beautiful friend. Oh yeah, and how am I doing on day 2 of school? Girls: no tears. husbands lunch: made the night before, and I remembered to pack a fork 2 days in a row! I’m off to a great start. Hugs, L.

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