My passion is helping busy people hurry less and worry less.
I write about it in fiction and nonfiction, speak about it at workshops and retreats and try to model it in my own life. I want each of us to slow down and enjoy each day more.
But sometimes – no matter how hard we try – overwhelmedness creeps in.
You may not know that word (because I made it up), but I bet you know the feeling. That placed called overwhelmedness.
Overwhelmedness comes somewhere between overscheduling, overdoing and being overwrought. Sometimes it’s a result of poor planning, and sometimes it arrives through no fault of our own. An illness strikes. A tragedy occurs. The family tangles. Friends struggle. Some seasons of time are tough, no matter how positive our attitude, organized our schedule or loving our heart.
For most writers, this land called overwhelmedness is familiar. It comes as we work to be published and are anxious when a book debuts, when we seek time to write and have deadlines to meet, as we manage royalty checks and the lack of royalty checks. It sneaks in when we’re tired and when we’re trying too hard and when we take our eyes off what’s most important.
If you, along with me, wander into the wilderness of overwhelmedness, try these tips:
- Give yourself breathing room. Take something off your schedule. Ease up on yourself.
- Take a fresh look at the Big Picture of your life. Are times of frenzy rare or regular? Do you need to make minor tweaks or major course corrections?
- Identify your next best step. You need not make the entire journey today. A small step will suffice.
- Just do your best. You don’t have to be perfect.
- Read a Psalm, those ageless words of beauty written by people who were often in the midst of overwhelmedness. Their pleas and praise can calm your heart.
- Write your own Psalm. As writers, we get clarity and peace from words. Let your feelings flow onto the page. Here is a Psalm I wrote in my journal this past summer when I was swamped by overwhelmedness. I’d love for you to share your words with me.
A Psalm of Overwhelmedness
I cry out, Oh, Lord,
My Psalm of fatigue and fear.
My body is weary.
My thoughts are cloudy.
I seek your will. I stumble.
What has brought me to this place?
You favor me with life.
Your pour Your mercy upon me.
I praise You.
I thirst for You.
The hot dry days parch me.
I am brittle and searching.
Yet You hear my prayer.
You surround me with Your spirit.
My life matters to You.
Oh, God, renew me in You. Through You. For You.
Amen.
I cry out, Oh, Lord,
My Psalm of fatigue and fear.
My body is weary.
My thoughts are cloudy.
I seek your will. I stumble.
What has brought me to this place?
You favor me with life.
Your pour Your mercy upon me.
I praise You.
I thirst for You.
The hot dry days parch me.
I am brittle and searching.
Yet You hear my prayer.
You surround me with Your spirit.
My life matters to You.
Oh, God, renew me in You. Through You. For You.
Amen.
We don't dwell in overwhelmedness forever. It's temporary, and we can emerge stronger and happier. Peace on your journey as you seek to put the gift of words to the highest and best use.
About the author: A longtime journalist, Judy Christie entered the newspaper world as the editor of The Barret Banner in elementary school. She loves primitive antiques, walking in the park near her North Louisiana home and visiting on her vintage green Kitchen Couch. Her most recent novel is “Rally ‘Round Green,” fourth in the Green series. “Wreath,” her debut YA novel, releases this week. She also writes the nonfiction Hurry Less Worry Less series, including the new “Hurry Less Worry Less for Moms.” For more information, see www.judychristie.com or look for Judy on Facebook or on Twitter @judypchristie.
Attention Seekervillians!! We here in Seekerville are so excited to share that Judy is giving away a copy of her debut YA release Wreath and her latest Green release, Rally 'Round Green. Thank you, Judy, for your generosity. Two winners will be announced on Sunday in the Weekend Edition.
