Dear All,
There’s a lot I have to say right now and it’s difficult because all the words want to come out at once. My natural inclination at this point is to just say, “Forget it! I’ll take a nap. It’s too overwhelming,” which quite honestly is sometimes the best option (or one that I succumb too).
In this case, however, I am taking the time to just write what comes to my head, another technique I use when I’m having trouble getting started (especially around a deadline). While taking a nap can be a viable strategy, at this moment I think it’s more important for me to write. However, I’ve made a deal with myself (accidentally), which is that I’m lying down on my couch typing into the notes section of my phone. I’m comfortable and this is convenient as it is right in front of me.
I’ve just come back from a relaxing weekend in which I raced a triathlon in a relay (I did the swim part). There are lots of lessons here around executive functioning, but I’ll save that for another post. 🙂
Swim Start
The transition from sun, fun and complete relaxation with friends back to my home that promises lots to do (both fun and work) is a bit stressful.
I’ve always had difficulty with transitions; doing what I’m doing in the moment, no matter how mindless, seems easier than facing the next task whether it’s getting out of bed in the morning or finishing my snack and moving on to the next assignment. Sound familiar?
A lot of my students face the same difficulty-whether it’s taking out a notebook to start homework or getting out the door to school.
In about a half hour I have an afternoon appointment. When I walked through I immediately wanted to start cleaning the kitchen, go grocery shopping, answer emails, call each of my parents, write and take a nap-all at the same time!
I have a deadline for this post (which helps) and while I thought I’d take a nap (need to decompress from my trip) I was nagged by the need to write this post and it helps that writing is a coping mechanism I use to calm my nervous system so that I can be fully focused on the next task.
Conveniently, I had my phone with me so even though I wasn’t ready to write on my computer I had a tool necessary to start the process of my next task.
Also, starting a task when I have a short amount of time is also helpful for me because I know I have a stopping time.
Lastly, I’ve committed myself to one task: writing this blog post. The kitchen and the grocery shopping will get done, but nothing will get done if I continuously think about all the things I have to do instead of gently encouraging myself to start the task of one important assignment.
To take a step back, to help myself through this transition from one thing to the next I:
1. started with the task that felt easiest.
2. made sure to have the tools necessary to do the task
3. gave myself a set amount of time to start (not necessarily) complete the task before I have an imposed stopping time.
This is not always the method that I follow, but it is pretty close!
I have developed a healthy coping mechanism that won’t take me down a rabbit hole, but calms my nervous system down enough to get started, make sure to give myself time to get the tools I need to get started and then even if I don’t have an imposed stopping time, if the task feels particularly daunting I will set a timer and put all distractions away for the duration of that time that I am working (I follow the pomodoro method of 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break).
Tip of the week:
Having a routine can help to ease the anxiety of transitioning from task to task. Here is an older video (yet the technique still works!) explaining what an every day set up routine for homework might look like when you walk in the door from school.
Want more tricks and tips for studying? Curious to know what it might be like to work with a coach? Sign up for a complimentary destressify session here.
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Sarah Weidman
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