Full Plate? Tips for Diffusing the Overwhelm

Divorce sweeps through like a tornado, touching every part of your life. So what can you do? 

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Hey Mommas!

Feeling a little overwhelmed? I see you. I know your plate is full just getting from point A to point B each day. Toss in a divorce and it can all seem so overwhelming.

You aren’t alone. That is a lot to deal with in a whole new uncharted territory.

I’m popping in here to remind you to give yourself a break — just because your marriage fell apart doesn’t make you a bad mom, a bad wife or a bad person. You haven’t failed. I want you to sit in that for a moment.

Disappointment and fear of the unknown can dig up a lot — it can whisper not-so-sweet-nothings in our ears. Don’t listen!

When the overwhelm and disempowering thoughts pop up simply interrupt them and ask yourself, “is this serving me?”

If it isn’t, stop it and send it on its way.

You will not be able to solve all problems right now. You will not have all answers and decisions right now. But you can set up boundaries around yourself to interrupt the things that are dragging you down.

If you wake in the middle of the night (that was a specialty of mine) — ask…

Is this thought serving me?

Is this lifting me up?

Is this giving me energy or zapping my life force?

Is this keeping me stuck or allowing me to see a future?

Is this helping me show up for my kids or is it robbing my joy?

Is this paralyzing me with fear or giving me the strength I need?

Write your own questions that speak back to the self-defeating gremlins in your mind. They are just bullies on the playground that need to be loved.

It’s a powerful practice to notice your thoughts — identify your pain points and explore them. What’s underneath them? Is it real? Is it even yours? Maybe you’ve been carrying beliefs of others. Did you ever consider that?

Hold on, I don’t even believe that! Let it go. Consider it mental housekeeping.

For now, start small…with one question… “is this serving me?” If not, “hit the road, Jack” and as the song goes on… “and don’t you come back no more, no more!”

Hang in there, mommas. Be kind and gentle and patient with yourselves. Stay the course for you and your kids. It’s like walking into a kitchen with a sink full of dirty dishes. When you roll up your sleeves and simply wash them one at a time…you’ll find your way to a clean and tidy space that calms your nervous system.

Can you do that for yourself? Take one step in support of yourself today. You need YOU now more than ever. Just start with one baby step.

—Kristen Noel, Certified Intuitive Divorce Coach | Editor-In-Chief, Best Self Magazine