What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

[Guest]

Having got behind from illness, weather, general can't be bothered, along with I have so much to do, where do I start.... I should just ignore it (yes, stupid woman!!!) So in an attempt to help prioritise garden jobs I wrote a list.......one side of A4 later and 30 tasks written down very quickly I just wondered if there are any particular ways peeps use to get themselves sorted at times like these.

Oh and no one say 'yes, go do them and stop posting on here' It is snowing, I ain't that daft (I think)

[Mr Bones]

It works for me to get stuck in (bulldozer mode) and make sure a particular job is finished before moving onto the next. Having a list is good to prioritise and reflect on the job's as they're completed so as not to become disheartened. If all else fails and some jobs don't get tackled I take the attitude .. stuff it ... it can wait ..
Like you say NG, nothing you can do about the weather

[Cadalot]

I have my review of previous years and my to-do list that I update on my blog at the end of each month, I also list the excuses, Ummm I mean Reasons that things didn't happen. Here is an example Alans Allotment: Planning and Reviewing March in Previous Years

[Thelma Sanders]

Stop worrying about it first of all!
I just start slowly working my way down the list, trying to tick off at least one thing everyday. If I manage 2 great
When the weather finally improves, my mood will lift and I'll be ticking more than one thing off each day.
I realised long ago that I never get to the point when there is nothing to do though

[Greenleaves]

As Thelma says, stop worrying about it, easier said than done sometimes.

I cherry pick, knock off the low hanging fruit first. I rarely set a timescale as missed deadlines make things worse.

[nickdub]

I usually just potter around doing the odd thing when I feel like it, interspersed with an occasional burst of enthusiasm for something or other random. Mind you my garden reflects this, looking like a cross between a scrap-yard and a wilderness sanctuary, with the odd fruit tree sticking out here and there.

I recommend enjoying the bits you can, with a good cup if tea and a piece of cake.

[veggiechicken]

What do I? Go for a walk, preferably to the beach, and blow away the cobwebs.

Life's too short to worry about what has not been done but each day is long enough to tackle something that should be done.

Don't start with the biggest jobs but with something small and achievable, even if it only takes 10 minutes you can still tick it off your list.

Some jobs may be dependent on another job being done first, so don't worry about secondary tasks, start at the top of the tree and work down. the closer you get to the lower branches the easier it becomes.

You can do it, NG, we believe in you.

[4Shoes]

Sometimes it helps not to think about the detail, but in the high level jobs.

We all know that some jobs have a whole stream of tasks and once you've detailed them all, puts you off...

[Lumpy]

Whey Hey I'm not the only one.

It used to really bother me that I was completely inadequate (any response to that and the Grape will get a trunk thumping) especially after reading some of the threads and seeing all the lovely pics.

However, I finally realised that growing bits and bobs to varying degrees of success is my hobby and should make me happy.

If something is not done, even when its desparate to do I now sigh, grab the biccie tin and think 'there's always tomorrow' (or possibly later if I run out of biccies).

Either way NG life is too short and complicated to stress over what is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby.

Be proud of what you can do and blubber the rest.
X

[Dead Dogs]

As the other have said. There is a lot of good advice already given.

I personally don’t write down lists, although I do keep a general ‘what’s to do’ in my head. With big tasks I nibble at them. Look at what has been done and not what’s left to do. Gives me a bit of satisfaction that I’ve achieved something.

[Jungle Jane]

I’m so overwhelmed I’ve shut down it’s too much at the moment & I can’t cope. Ive got to do a difficult technical job by Sunday night & I haven’t sowed my 25 tomato varieties yet,they need doing but it’s my daughters 18th very soon & I've hardly made a start on that. I can usually cross things off the list & get everything done I don’t know why I’m being like this but snows settled on the grass here it’s still winter?

[lottie dolly]

I can relate to that,am just coming out the other side,when the mojo takes a holiday for what ever reason,use the initial panic to make a quick list,this can be added to as you remember,then prioritise,what cannot be done outside,see what can be done inside,play with the little ones and find the endorphines,then the rest will catch up,and keep posting on here.

[Nicos]

Do some things on your list REALLY need doing...or are they more like a 'wish list'?
My friend stresses about things which wouldn't even occur to me...is life really about keeping up appearances
Is there someone to help you do any of it?...be it a child/OH/friend? As they say..a job shared is a job halved.
Are you able to take some 'me time' to help reset your anxiety levels so that some things on your lists actually appear less important?
...just some thoughts.

Multi tasking isn't meant to be easy, not when you feel you are trying to spin about 20 plates with both hands at the same time...things will get easier, you will find more time eventually.
Enjoy what you have and try to make do by spinning the most important plates, and maybe help a friend out who is feeling the same way...together you will be stronger and achieve more

[Small pumpkin]

I get the seed tins out. After a couple of hours seed juggling and shuffling. Everything just feels better in my tiny little world. Then I am a very simple creature that is easily pleased

[sparrow100]

I've just had a car crash style week, which included 'my' horse going back to his owner (not through any issues with me I hasten to add) and mooched up to the plots. I have an insane amount to do if I were thinking of getting them to neat-freak standard, and a lot to do to make them passable. I let docks go to seed last year - there will be an inordinate amount of swearing when the ground defrosts.

I think lists are great, but they in themselves can get overwhelming. I'm scaling back my ambitions for the plot this year to focus on a few things that I know I can do well. That way I am not setting myself up to fail and anything else that I manage is just cream on top.

Playing with seeds always helps...

The other thing I have been told is to make sure you take time to notice the things that are going well -it sounds simple but it's all too easy to look at all the things that need doing or which aren't right.

Good luck!!