Overwhelmed all the time

[Anonymous]

I feel so stressed and overwhelmed even vacations feel like chores. Kids want to go away this spring, we will likely do an amusement park and college tour...I have inus 100 desire to go. I get almost no time off and I am exhausted from the grind of work and all the teen stress. Is it just me?

[Anonymous]

This sounds like burnout. Something inside you is crying “enough.” It’s really important information.

What would feel like freedom right now? Leave the realm of rational thought, and check in with your gut. What is your gut saying you need?

I’m sorry you are feeling this way.

[Anonymous]

No advice here, just commiseration. I feel like I am constantly on the treadmill from 5am-9pm. Full time work, teen activities, household duties. Blah.

[Anonymous]

Is there a spouse? Spouse might have a special trip, just he/she and the kids. Consider it

[Anonymous]

Some people are exhausted by traveling, and other rejuvenated. Myself, I'd be more inclined to let things slide at work because I was doing a deep dive into trip planning, which I love.

Embrace who you are so you can handle this. Ask spouse to plan it all. Or the teen. Have a meeting (s), that scheduled with family to discuss what has been done/needs to get done - that way it won't be on your mind, looming. It's just an event. You don't have to assign yourself to the task that this trip comes off well - doesn't need to be your responsibility.

[Anonymous]

OP, take a look at all your commitments and start editing out the ones that are not essential. Stop doing things that you feel you should do and just do what is non-negotiable. You will piss off some people in your life but you will find more time for yourself and your mental health once you scale back.

[Anonymous]

Get a full blood work panel. Perhaps you have anemia, thyroid issues, or something else that makes you physically unable to bear all this burden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, take a look at all your commitments and start editing out the ones that are not essential. Stop doing things that you feel you should do and just do what is non-negotiable. You will piss off some people in your life but you will find more time for yourself and your mental health once you scale back.

I am only doing the essentials and it is a lot already. I actually do say no a lot, which also stresses me out because there is guilt in that for me. It's still too much. And I can't opt out of my life as it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a spouse? Spouse might have a special trip, just he/she and the kids. Consider it

There is but he is more overworked and even busier than I am. I would say I do 80% of home stuff because his hours are longer than mine. He is sending emails at midnight, most nights. He tutors the kids for Math, goes to games a lot...We both do full time work, and some, plus kid stuff, plus having to deal with his parents and family stuff, and my family stuff is looming for the summer.

[Anonymous]

Kid is almost college age. Have them plan it. Seriously. It will be a good exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like burnout. Something inside you is crying “enough.” It’s really important information.

What would feel like freedom right now? Leave the realm of rational thought, and check in with your gut. What is your gut saying you need?

I’m sorry you are feeling this way.

I want to have NOTHING to do on a Saturday, nobody asking me for anything, nothing on my mind, no chores I must do now or I won't have time. I want to sleep very well, all night, every night and not wake up at 6 having to think of others the minute I am up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a spouse? Spouse might have a special trip, just he/she and the kids. Consider it

There is but he is more overworked and even busier than I am. I would say I do 80% of home stuff because his hours are longer than mine. He is sending emails at midnight, most nights. He tutors the kids for Math, goes to games a lot...We both do full time work, and some, plus kid stuff, plus having to deal with his parents and family stuff, and my family stuff is looming for the summer.

Cut parents and family for a year.

Stop doing so much at home, it's not that deep.

Schedule down time, often women just start in the am doing "home stuff" and don't stop until 8pm, when they are doing stuff that is low value.

Clean dirty dishes: High value
Vacuuming: Low value.

List everything and if it is not going to cause bugs/smells/etc, mark it low value and stop doing it for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like burnout. Something inside you is crying “enough.” It’s really important information.

What would feel like freedom right now? Leave the realm of rational thought, and check in with your gut. What is your gut saying you need?

I’m sorry you are feeling this way.

I want to have NOTHING to do on a Saturday, nobody asking me for anything, nothing on my mind, no chores I must do now or I won't have time. I want to sleep very well, all night, every night and not wake up at 6 having to think of others the minute I am up.

What is there to think about in the am.

Kids get up, get ready and get breakfast.

What exactly are you doing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like burnout. Something inside you is crying “enough.” It’s really important information.

What would feel like freedom right now? Leave the realm of rational thought, and check in with your gut. What is your gut saying you need?

I’m sorry you are feeling this way.

I want to have NOTHING to do on a Saturday, nobody asking me for anything, nothing on my mind, no chores I must do now or I won't have time. I want to sleep very well, all night, every night and not wake up at 6 having to think of others the minute I am up.

What is there to think about in the am.

Kids get up, get ready and get breakfast.

What exactly are you doing?

I feed the dog, walk the dog, feed the cats, make breakfast. There is always someone complaining about something, or who lost something, or who needs to be reminded about something. Even if I don't help with it, it starts my day on that note. Then I have an hour to get ready and clean the house and do whatever chores before I work. None of this is huge, I realize that. I am functioning on low battery and it is a lot for me.

[Anonymous]

Suonds like low level depression, get some blood work, consider anti depressants.

for spring break: either have kids plan and go with spouse, and you take a few days off or just book an all inclusive. Teens can be active you can unwind only decisions are flights and what to pack.