Feeling overwhelmed

Hi @WideWhale320

It does sound like you have a lot on your plate presently. And when overload happens it is hard to think straight and the very real concern of "burn out" could presents itself in the near future. Avoiding the latter is important.To do this we need to look at ways to nurture self care and mental well being by making time in our busy lives to "have a break to relax". So your concerns when not being able to do the latter with a heavy schedule is very valid.

I think then in order to cope it's about finding ways to lessen and lighten the load by prioritising what is neccesary to keep in the daily routine and long term goals, together with excluding other activities that are either not essential for now and/or can be put off or reduced;- to give you the balance between work, play and rest that will serve you and those around you best. That is what I had to do and feel better for it. Hope that has helped a little.

I'm sorry to read things are very overwhelming @WideWhale320. I agree that prioritising your activities to suit your needs is what needs to happen here to prevent burnout. Studying full time, while balancing a new job, new car, finding suitable housing... it is all stress. Can you take time out for you? Even if it is something simple as chilling out for a dedicated hour per day?

I hear what you are saying when you state you want to stay in bed. I've often felt like that in the past too. I have no hard and fast answers to help you prevent this overwhelming feeling, except to remember to take time out for YOU because YOU are important too.

Times of change are often more stressful. @WideWhale320 Working out the best thing to do sometimes happens in bits rather than a grand master plan. Taking steps, checking how it feels, what the response is.

Go Gently as your new life emerges.

I don't really get a lot of time to myself. And there's not a lot I really like to do. Whether I'm sitting at home watching TV, or reading, or go to the library or to the shops, I don't ever really relax.

I've always got something on my mind, whether it's what to cook for dinner, or have I paid the bills, or will someone buy my car, or what do I need to do tomorrow. I can't turn my brain off, and I'm always stressing about something.

Yesterday I went to 5 inspections for different places to live, and have applied for 4. Three of them have been calling me today to clarify things on our applications, and even that is overwhelming me. If we don't get any of those places, I'm looking at 6 with my partner on Saturday. Part of my stress is also that we didn't get our full bond back for our last place.

And then there's packing and moving everything. Last time we moved, we booked a truck and were going to drive it ourselves, but the person who had leased it the day before didn't return it, so we had to do multiple trips with cars. I don't want to do that again, but it will probably cost way too much for us to get movers in to do everything.

I'm losing the ability to socialise with people too, as it's just getting to be too much for me. I'm hosting a small party on Saturday, and I'm REALLY glad the only people that can come are my mum and my best friend. Otherwise, I would honestly cancel.

I just don't know what to do. I get really bad anxiety at times, and I just want to curl up in the wardrobe and hide.

hiya wide , my admiration for airing your story. Sorry to read of your emotinal state . Appears you do have a lot on . Focus on your priorites , find your new digs first and until then start packing stuff , you don*t need on a day to day basis , also a good time to de-clutter . The bond consider gone , it just clears your head . You can fight this later if you choose to when things settle down in your new home . The old car , again , better to take a loss and get it out of your life. Hard as it is , had the same scenario when my father was found to be terminally ill . Moved from city back to country , with lots of gear , all the while visiting my dad while I could . After his passing sold most of stuff to clear my house , garage and mind . As to socialising , didn*t do any for about 7 months , friends , relations will be there after . Focus , you can*t do everything , nor please everyone .