Three ways to feel Stronger instead of overwhelmed

"You're so strong."

I heard those words in the grocery store isle one day after bumping into an acquaintance I hadn't seen for about six years. Of course, we'd stayed in touch through social media, but face to face...well, we all know how life can get.

She said it after listening to me recap how we landed back in the same city together. In short - 4 moves in 6 years to three different states, the most recent unexpected move/life change happened in a three month window: selling/buying/building a home/having our fourth baby/husband working in a different state while I wrapped up life in old state/moving out of home/kids starting new school/living in temporary housing with a newborn/moving into home.

Our conversation was brief. We had hungry little babies, and other little ones tugging at us as we spoke. But as we departed, her words rang in my ears.

"You're so strong."

Seriously? I felt anything but strong. In fact, I felt pretty dang squishy - mentally and physically. Eight weeks post-parturm with your fourth one will do that. And I felt tired. Overwhelmed. Unsure. And anxious. Lots of change had happened really fast. And while it was all for the good, it sure felt...well, fast. Drowning probably would have been a better description.

But in life we all have choices to make. And as much as I could choose to continue drowning, I could also choose to start swimming.

Three Ways to I've Found to Feel Stronger when life seems overwhelming:

Start Somewhere. One small step. Sometimes as much as I want to feel different, I am comfortable with what I already know, and change seems a bit overwhelming. Focusing on a small tweak and building from there has helped me feel success and build momentum.

Have FAITH. I've found it is so easy to listen to the loud negative voice telling me I'm not worth the effort, or listing every excuse why change shouldn't happen today. While I feel like it takes effort, focusing on the quiet voice that trusts and believes in me gives me the power to move forward.

Start Again. Because sometimes I take two steps back. As much as it may be a fail, it doesn't make me (or the process) a failure. Learning from what didn't work, and moving forward enable growth to continue.