Today I am preparing for a trip, finishing a writing project, getting caught up on other writing projects, and oh, yeah, organizing tax information. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So today is a good day to look at how not to get overwhelmed.
First, before meditating, if you have a to do list, write it down. What this does is get the things to do out of your head and onto paper. You can forget about them now, because they’re written down. No need to focus or to remember, just do whatever task you’re doing at the moment, and rely on the written list to tell you what’s next. I find the list is crucial for keeping me out of my head and preventing panic.
Set up your first task. Suppose you’re me and you have to write something. Sit at your desk with your word processor ready to go. Or suppose you have a big meal to prepare. Get your hands washed, your apron on, and sit in the kitchen. Now, ground and center.
Allow calm to run through your body. Allow yourself to feel soothed. Energy moves through you, from your center, radiating to your extremities. With each breath, soothing energy moves from your center to your hands, feet, and head. You feel relaxed and alert.
Say to yourself “I am doing this.” (Fill in the task. “I am writing.” “I am cooking.”)
Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, release anything that isn’t your task.
Breathe in, and repeat your “I am doing this” affirmation.
Breath out, and release everything else.
Now do the task.
When you’re ready, go to your list for your next task and repeat the process.
This is very close to how I cook, especially if it’s a meal involving several courses. There is nothing more stressful than gathering incredients without having cleared my mind first.
That’s a great example, konagod, because cooking can be stressful, but it can also be meditative.