Wired & Worn-out

No doubt if the title of this blog caught your attention, then you can relate to the dichotomy of a life that is both wired and worn out emotionally and physically. We often struggle to balance the many areas of their lives. We are wired in terms of the energy it takes to juggle all of our responsibility, and in terms of the technology that both helps and hinders our lives. We are worn out in terms of being over committed, overwhelmed, just plain over doing it.

We know we need to unplug, but we wonder how to accomplish it. Like laundry and dishes, our emails don’t just go away on their own. Social media provides an emotional draw, and takes time. The internet seduces our intellect, and gaming can provide an escape from the other less attractive responsibilities of our lives.

Life moves pretty fast. Technology has allowed us to manage our time better; and seemingly the more time we have, the more things we tend to add. Ever find yourself mentally and physically exhausted by the weekend? Worn out from running the race all week, wired and unable to relax and unwind? When we live on the extremes worn out on one end and wired on the other, we often lack the balance that produces the harmony we so desire.

Many of us have made busyness part of our identity. If we aren’t up doing something, we often feel guilty or like we’re not really living. Busyness can get in the way of our relationships by limiting the amount of quality time we spend with others. When we are worn out, we are much more susceptible to stress and stress related illnesses. When we are screaming inside for just a few moments of solitude for ourselves, we could listen to ourselves instead of fighting against our own needs.

Figuring out how to balance your driven nature with your mind/body’s desire to relax, will allow you to have an energy reserve that can applied to the priorities of your life. Your relationships will benefit by getting you at your best, not the depleted you.

So, how do we strike the balance? The first step is awareness. Becoming keenly aware of how, where, and when we spend our time. What activities can be trimmed from our very full schedules? Could we spend a few minutes to actually plan for relaxation in our schedules. We can unplug for awhile, it will be there tomorrow. We can reconnect with ourselves; make ourselves a priority. We can become wonderful, and well instead!

Getting off the Rollercoaster!

Feel like your life is just filled with drama? Are you moving from one crisis to the next? Do you feel uncomfortable when things get too quiet, sort of like that feeling that the shoes going to drop any minute? When we are uncomfortable in the quiet, often we will unconsciously create chaos in our lives in order to maintain our comfort zone. But I ask you, are you really all that comfortable in that zone? Is it any wonder that you have anxiety issues, panic attacks, relationship problems, impulse control problems – addictions, financial issues, etc. How many years have you been riding your rollercoaster?

If you can picture the fastest rollercoaster ride at your local amuzement park, most of them have the big hill that you climb slowly and descend quickly causing an adrenaline rush. What if someone put you on that rollercoaster ride and you weren’t allowed to get off of it for hours? Instead of that 2 minute ride that you know you can get through, you now are enduring extreme anxiety over and over again. Can you picture the damage that your nervous system might take, not to mention the emotional toll it would have on your psyche?

If you or other people are creating this rollercoaster affect in your life, perhaps it’s time to get off that ride? The first step is awareness, capturing your thoughts, understanding your role in the drama. The second step is taking baby steps to begin shutting that system down and replacing it with a more productive, healthier, emotionally balanced system. Then when life happens, you will have more energy to apply to that situation and the ability to quickly find re-center yourself and bring balance back to your world!
Peace for Your Inner Journey!

Joy Riding

If you spend any amount of time commuting, you know how easy it is to let any number of things rob your joy. The weather, other drivers, your coffee is too hot and burned off your taste buds for the day, or the sheer boredom of the ride.

One of my clients reminded me that I can be mindful of my commute. That I can choose to be intentionally joyful. That I don’t have to start off my day first thing expending negative energy toward things I can’t control anyway. That I can CHOOSE to make the best of it. I choose JOY. I choose to fill my time with positive productive thoughts, I choose to give some grace to the other drivers, I choose kindness not road rage. I choose this day to ride in joy and arrive at my destination with ample energy for my day, so I can bring myself home again attitude in check. Joy riding – give it a try – it’s a good thing. More at www.karenkwalkercounseling.com

Unpack Your Baggage, and Get on With Your Life!

If life is a journey, then what will you pack to bring with you on your journey?  How much have you let others pack for you; what is in  your suitcase that you don’t need or want any longer?  It’s your trip, it’s your bag you get to choose what works for you. 

For many of us we just accept and carry around the baggage given to us in our childhood.  We protect it and make it part of our identity.   It’s all we’ve ever known, and we think it’s easier in the known then adventuring into the unknown.

In the long run it is not easier to maintain the status quo, to carry that same old bag around everywhere we go.  Letting it get in the way of our relationships, and taking all our energy to lug it through our lives. 

It’s your path, your journey – take time today to open up your baggage and to get rid of anything that is weighing you down.  It’s a new day and a new way.  Your baggage is lighter, your way is clearer and the new found energy will give you strength for Your Inner Journey.  Begin today to choose your way!  Peace for your journey.

Hello world!

Jumped yet another hurdle in the technology world.  Welcome to Your Inner Journey Blog.  Look for weekly counseling artilces to help you on your path of discovery.  Talk to you soon!