Even when you know what you should do, that doesn't mean you always have the energy or clear thinking to make it happen. 🙄

It might be like:

• Grabbing a bowl of ice cream for a quick hit of sugar energy instead of getting on the walking pad to wake up your brain. (Yes, I did this yesterday. Sheesh!)
• Not putting your attenuation filters in when the room noise got too loud because it also took effort to get the filters out of your backpack.
• Not taking your ADHD or anxiety meds because you forgot. (Yes, it's an irony that is not lost on our household!)
• Giving one question at a time so you don't overwhelm the other person, who is clearly not in a state to answer a multi-part question.

Yes, all of these have happened in our home, and I've heard from many others that this is a common occurrence for them too.

But you don't have to be at the mercy of your energy or mental bandwidth!

There are things you can do to set yourself (or others you support) up for success.

Here are a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.

• Put your attenuation filters in your pocket before you leave the house if you expect to be in a loud environment so they are ready to pop in your ears.
• Set your keys on top of your medicine so you see it right before you leave the house.
• Write each question you need to ask someone on a different sticky note so you don't forget and can throw it away as you ask the question.
• Fill up a BIG bottle of water so you don't have to remember to fill it as often.
• Set the bottles of essential oils or a scented candle in your line of sight so when your focus starts to wane, you remember that they help. (I learned from yesterday's mistake!)

If you tend to realize after the fact that you didn't handle a situation well, here are some questions that can help you think through what more effective support might be for you.

• In what situations do you tend to feel overwhelmed and unable to make good decisions? (E.g., when you're hungry, tired, or overstimulated, when you have a lot of things due at once, when all the ideas are exploding in your mind and you impulsively want to pursue one of them)
• Where are you when you need support? (E.g., work, home, running errands)
• What happens right before you do the thing you wish you hadn't done? (E.g., realize you are famished, start scrolling social media, finally sit down after a long day)
• What usually helps you get through those challenging moments? (E.g., plan smaller meals throughout the day, have a visual cue to take your medicine or do the task, have someone scheduled to check on you when you are likely to get stuck scrolling on your phone)
• What support can you set up in advance? (Plan for however you answered the previous question.)

It's inevitable we'll get overwhelmed. It happens and is a part of life. But it doesn't have to cause a downward spiral. I know what I'm asking you to do requires energy up front, but I promise that everything you do in advance to support yourself will pay off in the long run!

If you need help thinking through a situation, share this email with a friend or family member so they can see what questions might help you think through your support needs. Or, schedule a coaching call, and we can work through it together.

You can do this! 💪🏻 You can flourish and thrive! ❤️

Until next time,
Crystal