you can have it all, but you can't do it all

Ever since I can remember, I have always struggled with anxiety. It’s this jack in the box feeling that takes over you, making even the simplest of task seem overwhelming and impossible.

Anxiety can even be so paralyzing and debilitating that leaving the house or your room can trigger this tidal wave of nerves. Not to mention your focus and productivity go out the window.

This state can grow particularly acute during times of transition in your life. It’s like being stuck between two worlds: the old world that you need to release and the new world that you are fearful to step into.

You are excited and you want to achieve that next level, but at the same time you find it terrifying because it means you must shift your personal responsibility for yourself – your health, business, attitudes and thoughts.

At the nucleus of anxiety is driven by fear – trying to be perfect, keeping it all together or appearing weak if you ask for help.

If there is anything that I have learned in my life it’s that our greatest struggles are also our greatest gifts. It’s also a double edges sword.  

From one perspective it can take its toll on your nervous system and your health. This completely impacts your attention, focus and memory.

On the other hand, it also gives me an increased state of attention to detail and pick up things that other people easily miss.

Here are three things I want to share with you to not only help you master and manage your anxiety, but to find the gifts within it to truly take better care on YOU!

1. Brain dump/Idea log
The biggest trigger for anxiety is feeling overwhelmed with all the thoughts, tasks and ideas you have floating around in your head. Simple dump out all those ideas either on paper or in a word doc. Cluster tasks together in order from highest priority to lowest priority.

​This is officially your checklist. Highlight the items that are absolutely necessary to get done first and learn to be ok with letting go of everything else. Sometimes good enough is good enough. The worst feeling is bouncing from task to task. If ideas or other task come up, jot them down for later as you continue going through your checklist.

2. Ground yourself 
While you may wish you were a Buddhist monk, taking a time out to ground and center yourself the moment your anxiety is triggered can make a world of a difference in your day. 

Whether it’s meditation, exercise, art, music, gardening or cooking, make it a practice to center you even if it’s just 15 minutes. Also, if you’re experiencing a lot of changes in your life, be extra kind to yourself and treat yourself to a massage, bubble bath or whatever it is that soothes and nurtures your soul.

3. Deep breath…Delegate or Hire Help
Reach out and ask for help. No one can read your mind. The only way is to open up a dialogue with the people you work with, friends or family. Yes, this requires vulnerability, but the people that love you and care about you truly want to support you and help you. 

The biggest way you get in your own way is to think you can do it all! You simply can’t and quite frankly, it’s not the best use of YOU or your time. Is there anything you can hire or delegate to someone else?

Stay connected with yourself and know your limits. When you are feeling anxious, your body is sending you a message to wake up and pay attention. Take care of yourself and make a pivot.

Bottom line, anxiety sucks, but you are not alone. The Universe has your back and so do I! ;)

If you loved this video, share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Also, I love hearing from you and how you handle your anxiety!

Always keep radiating your beautiful light to the world living life with passion, purpose and meaning.

With Love and Belief in YOU,

Yelena

“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”  – Albert Einstein