When it all feels like too much

One month ago life was pretty good. Business was businessing, relationships were relationshipping, and everything seemed to be moving forward. Out of all the possible directions one could take, I happen to really like forward. 

In fact, I had never moved so far forward so fast. This time last year I gave myself permission to dream some really big dreams and to follow through on them, such as building my retreat center, Sacred Circle, getting involved in the local psychedelic society for activism and integration volunteer work, and continuing to learn and expand my coaching practice with new tools to better serve my clients. All of this was in addition to homeschooling part time and just living everyday life.

It’s been wonderful, but it has certainly taken me out of the kiddy pool and plopped me into the deep end. 

Thanks to all the hard work I had done on my own personal growth and healing journey, I was handling it all with relative competence. I was walking a tightrope with my arms full and doing so with enough skill to stay aloft. Then someone came along to shake the wire. And they haven’t stopped since.

I can’t blame them. They’re a natural born wire-shaker. 

But suddenly everything felt like too much. The heavy load in my arms consisting of projects, goals, and responsibilities was about to go tumbling into the abyss—and me along with it. My old circus trick wasn’t going to cut it if I wanted to keep making progress on my dreams. 

So what’s the solution?

For starters, stop trying to think of a solution. 

Just be here, in this very moment. Let go of the past and future and orient yourself to the now. Take slow, mindful breaths, then ask yourself this question:

Am I safe?

Is there an actual emergency? If so, then deal with it. But if not (and most of the time there truly isn’t), then focus all your awareness on how safe this present moment is. 

Notice the love, support, and beauty that surrounds you. Be open to recognizing more of it. 

How are the clouds today? Majestic as always? 

How does your child look while they’re sleeping? So beautiful you wish you could bottle up this moment and keep it forever?

Are there people that care for you? Animals? Heck, even plants? Notice how the Earth herself cares for all living things, including you.

Are you feeling calm, safe, and loved? Keep working on those three until you can really feel it. Remember to stay in the present moment. Then, and only then, will you be ready for the next step: finding solutions.

Set aside some intentional time to tap into your creative powers (yes, we all have them). Perhaps add some ritual by lighting a candle or pulling an oracle card. This is a sacred time to receive juicy new ideas from your Higher Self or from Spirit. Allow your imagination to churn out solutions to your problems that feel expansive, peaceful, and maybe even exciting. If it doesn’t feel good in your body, then keep working that imagination until you arrive at an idea that rings with truth in every cell. 

Once you’ve got it, it’s time to take steps. Teeny tiny steps. 

Careful now, it’s easy to let your mind wander back into the past or into a scary future. Stay focused on how your goal lights you up and how peaceful or exciting your solution feels, and just take one small step that’s anchored in those feelings. 

If you spin out and start to feel like everything is too much again, that’s okay. Forgive yourself, get back into the present moment, and keep your feet on the path. 

Just one step at a time. 

That’s how big dreams come true. 

Oh, and that pesky wire-shaker? You’ll come to thank them later for getting you off the tightrope and into the present moment where you know you are safe, loved, and supported.