The Caring Counselor

When college is in session, I am a busy bee. This semester I teach three classes at two different campuses spread across four mornings a week. Midday I switch gears to running my private practice. I shift into businessman/therapist mode depending on what my schedule throws at me on any given hour.

With that being said, my workload has been through the roof. However, about two weeks ago, my college went on spring break. It was a welcomed break, even if it was just having my mornings free. It provided me with an optimal opportunity to catch up on business ventures I put off since wintertime. Oh boy, did it feel good to finally see that to-do list get shorter and shorter finally.

An unfortunate side effect took place. Here I was in a “get shit done” mode that carried over from two months of running around and being constantly productive. Then, BOOM. The only things on my list were everyday, mundane tasks. I accomplished so much in that week off that I was actually able to take breaks in my day. This fed an all too familiar feeling though. For days, I had the sneaking suspicion that I had something to do but could not figure out what it was. That wasn’t the case. In fact, it is just because I couldn’t get my brain to shut off.

This has always been a huge source of anxiety for me. I find it hard to slow down once I am revved up, especially for long periods of time. It causes internal friction between my pressured perception and a relaxed reality. It ultimately pushed me to feeling insecure for the better part of a week.

Thankfully, the feeling did eventually pass, but it took some work. I literally forced myself to take breaks to lay down, play video games, and spend time with loved ones. My support system also greatly helped in that they provided listening ears and validation when I expressed my anxiety. (My poor girlfriend had to hear it almost every day for a week.) However, I made it through.

What are some strategies you use to help reduce such friction? How do you bring yourself peace of mind when it instead wants to ruminate?

-The Caring Counselor