Every once in a while, I find myself getting overwhelmed. It doesn’t happen nearly as often as it used to, and I find I’m better at handling these episodes when they do occur. (You probably know what I’m talking about—tired of cleaning rooms that don’t stay clean, tired of packing lunches and checking homework, tired of commuting to work and figuring out what’s for dinner every.single.day.)
I decided I had to flip my perspective. Had to. Because getting overwhelmed about dishes in the sink? I have too many big things on my plate to get bogged down by the ordinary.
So now…
When I’m complaining about my husband’s mess, I remind myself that I asked for a kind, considerate man to love me and all my flaws. He loves me in spite of the hormonal mess I am 87% of the time. I didn’t ask for a maid.
When I’m complaining about having to cook dinner, I remind myself that we at least have enough food to eat and that my kids have never gone hungry on my watch. Instead, I open the fridge and see that there is food on every shelf.
When I’m complaining about having too much work to do for the hours in the day, I remind myself that there was a time when I commuted an hour and a half each way to a job I didn’t particularly like. Life is much simpler, when my commute is walking twenty feet from my bed to my office.
When I’m complaining about trying to lose weight, I remind myself that right now, I am only semi-healthy and it is up to me to get healthier and take care of myself.
When I’m complaining about trying to save up enough money to get out of debt, I remind myself that this is only a temporary squeeze and one day I will be debt-free as a result of my hard work.
I have to remind myself that I asked for this. I asked for a full life, for great kids, for a house, for a reliable car, for a great career. I asked for these blessings. Now that they are mine, they look like work. But they are still so incredibly special and I need to be thankful I have them. The alternative is unacceptable.
Oh my God yes. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and just complain about everything but as you said, I’m trying to remind myself to be thankful for everything I have. Once a upon time, everything I have was once everything I was wishing, hoping and praying for. Looking at the positive is so much more refreshing.
I definitely have to keep myself in check and remind myself of how blessed I really am. It’s so easy to fall into the routine of complaining.
Every single word of this post describes my life! Perspective is everything!