“I’m failing at this!”
Be honest. Have you ever said that before?
Here’s the truth: it’s been a rough week. I won’t go into all the details of every single last thing that put me in that place, but I’ll just tell you that I had many moments where I felt like I was suffocating from overwhelm.
To be totally vulnerable, the overwhelm frustrated me so much… You see, I’ve worked so hard this year to find breathing room in my life. I’ve said no repeatedly. I’ve stepped back, stepped away, and stepped aside.
And yet, here I was: feeling stretched way too thin and like life was spinning out of control.
I felt like such a failure… I felt like I was failing in every area. I mean, hello, this week I’m even failing at having a Year of Rest!
{Yes, I know. That’s kind of crazy talk. But that’s exactly how I felt!}
Last Saturday evening, I was so stressed by the events of the prior 48 hours (I didn’t help that it was “that time of the month” and there were some hormones raging, too!).
I called a good friend up and just said, “I’m a mess!”
This good friend listened, cared, listened some more, asked good questions, loved on me, and gave me the exact counsel I needed to hear in that moment.
“You’re going to get through this, Crystal. Just breathe. Just take one day at a time. Stop worrying about three days from now or three weeks from now. Just focus on today. Live today, this moment, well.”
I loved that advice and it was just what I needed. I can’t do everything, but I can focus on doing the next right thing.
And you know what else I needed this week? My friend Jessica Turner’s video series called Stretched Too Thin. Jessica is a working mom of three who knows what overwhelm looks like and she has such a heart to encourage moms — especially working moms — with inspiration and practical ideas for overcoming that overwhelm.
Yesterday, she launched a FREE 4-part video series to encourage women who are feeling exhausted, burnt out, and, frankly, just like I was feeling this week.
The videos are like sitting down to a cup of coffee among honest friends who get your struggles and stress and will encourage you that this mothering thing is hard.
You can sign up for the videos for free here. I hope you are as encouraged with them as I was this week.
And remember, you are not alone. You are not a failure. Keep doing the next right thing! We’re in this together!
Missy says
Crystal, I have been following your blog for many years and you have been an inspiration to me in so many ways! Financially you have taught me soooo much! It has been life changing, as well as household management and the joy of goal setting and achieving! Satan is the father of lies and spends each moment of his existence attempting to destroy our spirit. His entire goal is to deter us from God’s purpose and when we are exhausted, it is easy to fall prey to those evil lies!! I cannot tell you how often in the last few years I have felt like I have failed God on every level. I am a homeschool mama, I have four children, my husband works a demanding job, six years ago God started a church in our home that is now a full fledged church in our community, my husband was the lead Pastor until a back injury he sustained six months into our ministry evolved into a prescription drug/ alcohol addiction that required him to step down from the church. It almost destroyed our marriage and devastated our children. I understand those feelings of failure, completely. BUT God. He is a God of restoration, redemption, rejuvenation and truth. He will not let you fall when you cling tightly to Him and better yet, He will give you that peace that surpasses all understanding. My motto in life has become… “One minute at a time.” Life can change in a blink of an eye, good or bad. God ALWAYS has a way of working things out for our good and making victory out of our mess!!! I have no doubt He will continue to do the same for you!! He is using you in mighty ways….. and I have found… where there is pain…. He has purpose!!! Thank you for the work you do…. with God… you can NEVER fail!! Love and blessings to you and your family!!
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE this! Thank you so much for sharing and for your sweet encouragement! {Hugs!}
Cayla says
Missy,
Just wanted to say I LOVED your comment “where there is pain, He has a purpose.” That spoke volumes to a big decision I’m facing. Glad I read the comments. God bless!
Lauren says
Crystal, I just wanted to tell you that you are amazing! I’ve followed your blog for about 5 years now and just started watching your facebook and periscope videos. I love seeing you and listening to what you have to say. You’ve become like a friend that I can’t wait to spend time with! I’m a Christian mommy with three kids and I can relate to a lot of what you talk about. I’m also a new blogger and you are an inspiration. Sometimes you’re a little too amazing and I think-how on earth am I going to get even close to where Crystal is? 😉 But thank you for who you are. You’re loved even by those who don’t know you.
Crystal Paine says
Oh goodness! Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement!! Your comment really blessed me!
Jessica says
I had some frustration this week in the work that I do as an independent contractor- unexpected revisions that were very time consuming. I also realized that I was undervaluing myself to a client who seems to have been taking advantage, so I upped my rate to be more in line with the quality of work that I am delivering.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so sorry that you had frustration this week! I think your plan to up your rate sounds like a good one. Sometimes, people don’t value what they don’t have to pay well for.