It’s time for a podcast swap! Monica Packer of About Progress joins Stacy to talk all about overcoming overwhelm. Monica tackles some practical tips and helps us figure out what really matters, what we can simplify, and what we can just let go. Hear the rest of the conversation over on Monica’s podcast where Stacy helps us mentally cope with burnout and overwhelm.
Find Monica:
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Key Takeaways
Introductions
- Monica is a mom of 5, recovering perfectionist, former middle school teacher, sourdough obsessor, and beginning gardener.
- She is a podcaster and coach and guides women to find sustainable growth by adopting progress over perfection.
- Stacy discovered they have A LOT in common: Recovering perfectionists, recovering from eating disorders, Monica is a blonde who married a redhead, both English majors, our favorite food is ice cream; Stacy says she’s a “Suburban Stevie Nicks” and Monica says she’s “A Hippy at Heart” (both cloth diapered and do a lot to reduce our toxic load on people and planet), long-time podcasters, and huge book nerds!
Overcoming Overwhelm
- As perfectionist, judgement gets so internalized, and we become that voice that’s in our head. Monica shares that one of the biggest things that suffered as a result of her perfectionism were her relationships.
- She says she was trying to be both brave and mediocre at stuff instead of staying on the sidelines and doing nothing. Alternatively, she was also hustling herself t0 burnout because she was “going for the all”. Give yourself permission to do less, not more. Overwhelm often comes because of us not having enough time, energy or money to do the things we have to do in a day or season.
- The hardest part about this is you have to be willing to make trade-offs. You’ll have this sneaky understanding that everything matters and it’s at the same level of mattering, when that’s just not true. Monica warns that if you’re not willing to make trade-offs, they will be made for you.
- Stacy says part of the reason it’s hard to do this is comparison. Social media andthe internet make it especially difficult. If we have our blinders on to what works for just us, it’s much more powerful.
Next Steps in Overcoming Overwhelm
- If you are in a state of overwhelm, start with a deep breath (physically and figuratively). Pause and validate the overhelm. Don’t dismiss or go into self blame. However, validation is not permission to then stay stuck. It gives you the compassion you need to work through it better. Compassion is the way to change, not shame.
- Do a brain dump, write down EVERYTHING. Then, ask yourself, “what on this list matters”. Then, of what matters, think about: What can I simplify? What can I delegate? And what can only I personally prioritize.
- Get really picky with what you think are reasonable expectations and gently decide how you can better support yourself.
- What’s important now? That’s a W.I.N. You want to create a win. That answer may surprise you.
- Sometimes the choosing is sometimes what makes the biggest difference. So it’s more than choose what you’re doing, it’s choosing who you want to be.
Studies, References & Products
- About Progress: Mental Coping Skills for OVERWHELM || a 2-part conversation with Stacy Toth from the Whole View
- Work in Progress: 5 Day Sleep Makeover
- Work in Progress: Social Media Challenge
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A novel by Gabrielle Zevin
- His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
- If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
- The Beartown Series (Beartown, Us Against You, The Winners) by Fredrik Backman
- The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Sponsors
- Puori.com/WHOLEVIEW | Use code WHOLEVIEW to get 20% off sitewide
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- Nesa’s Hemp | Get 25% off your first order
- Beautycounter.com/StacyToth | Special holiday deals this month!
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Note: Stacy and her guests are not medical professionals. This podcast is for general educational purposes and NOT intended to diagnose, advise, or treat any physical or mental illness. We always recommend you consult a licensed service provider.
