I saw this quote on Instagram this morning, and it seemed to match my mood so perfectly.

I had brekkie before uni with my Grandfather (one of my favourite people on earth) and had been so stressed out about some worrying news I’d received on the tube there.

Somehow the brand that I’d been working with on a race hadn’t paid my entry despite email correspondence to say they would, and I’d received an email to say my application had been cancelled. I’m keeping everything crossed that this will be resolved (ideally as soon as possible as my nerves just can’t handle it) but in the meantime, I just have to wait. Something I’m not very good at.

Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that we can’t control everything.

Our society promotes the ability to do it all, have it all, and if you can’t manage that, then you can be made to feel like a failure.

But you’re not.

It’s OK to not be able to balance everything, to feel like you’re treading water constantly just to keep afloat. What area can you reduce/stop? What areas in your life can you ask for help with? What projects can be paused for a while? What things do you do that you don’t even like?

Give yourself a break. Step away from the laptop/phone/desk and just breathe. 

Try to take 5 really deep breaths every hour, in through your nose, filling your lungs completely.

Remind yourself of the things that are going right, what you are good at, and be kind to yourself.

It’s a great way of releasing tension, reducing stress and lowering anxiety.

I’ve been testing out the Apple Nike+ watch over the last few weeks – full review coming next week – but my favourite app on it is the Breathe app. It prompts me multiple times a day to take a few minutes away from my laptop just to breathe deeply, counting the inhales/exhales with a vibration on your wrist. It is weirdly soothing, and a reminder to take a moment to breathe.

Go on, give it a try today. It might just help you get through the madness of Christmas shopping!