I am so glad this week is almost over. Earlier this week, I definitely felt the stress and demands of being a Single. Working. Mom. I usually handle it all pretty good but that day, I felt it. ‬There are plenty of times when I have felt overwhelmed and I now know my triggers. But before I got to this semi-place of calm, here are a few things that would help me relax, relate, release. Also please note, I am nowhere near the level of being a licensed psychologist/counselor. If you’re feeling that you need to talk to someone, please find someone in your area that is professionally trained to do so.

• JOURNALING

Journaling is a method I learned while in therapy after my mom passed. Not really trusting anyone with my thoughts and fears but knowing it was necessary to get them out of me, this method was tremendous. Although I have my circle of friends, I can keep things bottled up at times. I think it’s because as working women, we are always viewed as being strong and able to handle the most complex situations. We can’t forget that we are human too and are equipped with emotions that have to be addressed at some time.

• YOGA

I started doing yoga as a way to get my flexibility back. I had a c-section with my daughter and honestly haven’t been the same since. Plus add-on a few extra years of age and yoga became my exercise of choice. There was this show called Inhale that would come on in the early morning hours on the Oxygen network around the year 2010. I was too nervous to actually go to a studio with young college girls and the fit moms so I worked out at home. I was comfortable and knew I could give my all towards the workout. The instructor was Steve Ross who spoke in a very relaxing tone and there were people on all levels so it felt like I belonged. Fast forward to now, and I’m still using yoga as a way to relax, and get my exercise ring closed on my Apple Watch 🙂

• DEEP BREATHS

Anyone experiencing a panic attack has been told to just breath. In my experience, this calms you down and helps you to refocus on the initial task. I recently used this method at work. Once the situation was handled, there were spectators that wanted to express their opinions. But that only adds to the negative energy that already exists. I kindly asked them to not touch me or speak at the moment. This sounds harsh, but I knew I needed to get myself back to a neutral space because it was still the middle of the work day. Even Apple is aware that taking a breath can be helpful as it is an app on the Apple Watch. I don’t use this a lot but the new watch update offers it as a watch face that’s very appealing. Maybe I’ll start using it more.

• PREPARATION

This is currently my number one method. It is a MUST that I have to-do lists. I currently have two journals – one for work and one for home/side hustle. I have dry erase boards in my house and a chalkboard in my kitchen. Before every trip to the grocery store, I plan out the meals for the week and make a list based on this. This may seem a bit excessive, but without my lists I panic. I have literally turned around and returned home because I was making a trip to the store and realized I didn’t have my list. Panic set in and I knew it would be bad if I completed that journey to Super Target. When finances are involved, I can overthink purchases at times. I’m the sole provider here and must choose wisely on everything if we’re going to survive. I’m not struggling and have been blessed to have a career and know my worth (for requested salary). But I also have dreams and aspirations and want to provide for the offspring all I had growing up and more.

• REMEMBER YOUR PURPOSE

Days get hard and I still have to handle it. Everything I do, I do for my daughter. She is purpose to continue experiencing this thing called life. And I’m not going to halfass it either. She deserves that I give my all each and every day. As I look at her sleeping stretched out like a star fish in my bed (storms are not our friend), I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mom. He always knows what He is doing and putting the two of us together was the best thing that has happened to me yet.