When Everything Happens At Once
When everything happens at once, it's the small things that will save us: A big glass of water. A short nap. A 15-minute walk. Sending the text. Eating a snack. Asking the question. Doing the thing.
During life transitions it's normal for a lot to happen in a short amount of time – moving across country, ending high school and starting college, the birth of a child, the end of a relationship.
Sometimes though, a bunch of unrelated circumstances will converge to happen all at the same time, and you can't always anticipate the changes. This happened to me this summer – I've been searching for jobs, planning to move, and fully aware of the impending school year – and yet, suddenly the timelines shifted and everything is suddenly happening all at once. We have a cliche describing this phenomenon: when it rains it pours.
If it's not one thing, it's another.
Moving. Interviews and career changes. A loved one in the intensive care unit. Time-sensitive projects all coming due at the same time. Supporting an autistic family member who really struggles with change. Working hard to find my equilibrium in the midst of it all.
But there's one thing I've learned that has really helped with this season of complexity and chaos:
When life is complicated, start small
Baby steps aren't just for babies, they're also an incredibly powerful way to work through big and overwhelming challenges.
- Keep the basics going – meals, hydration, taking the trash out, laundry.
- Find and manage bottlenecks – tackle the tasks that are keeping things from moving forward.
- Take regular breaks – step away for a few minutes to get perspective and regroup.
- Prioritize rest – not just sleep, but time to read a book, be near water, connect with a friend, or just be.
- Keep moving forward – do *the next right thing, then lather, rinse, repeat.
When everything happens at once, it's the small things that will save us: A big glass of water. A short nap. A 15-minute walk. Sending the text. Eating a snack. Asking the question. Doing the thing. Flipping another load from the washer to the dryer.
Eventually, we'll get through the things that matter, and learn to let go of the things that don't.
At least, that's what I'm holding on to these days. What about you?
Jamie Siebens is a writer, editor, and administrative genius with a knack for getting things done. She lives in Northwest Wisconsin with her husband, teen daughters, and a quirky rescue pup named Bentley. She writes about perspective, personal growth, and intentional living at www.jamiesiebens.com
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