How to Thrive During Stress?

We recently made a cross-country move, and let me tell you, it’s been both fun and stressful.

This move has knocked me out of my routine, put me into decision overload, and, at times, made me want to scream at my husband, contractors, and movers—and I'm sure the feeling was mutual!

As someone who loves to teach, coach, and share my own experiences, I'm jumping into your inbox today to share what I've learned and am still learning from this move, in case you're going through a stressful time too. 

My number one realization was that to control the stress, I needed to get in control of myself.

We all know we can’t control everything, and experience has taught me that when we focus on what we can control, life tends to go better. 

Between contractors, rain, flooding, and differing opinions with my husband, I felt pulled in a thousand directions. It’s like everyday life, but intensified.

I had to draw the line and embrace solid boundaries, focus on my non-negotiables (health, client services, sleep), and take control of my schedule.

In stressful times, and to avoid stress, it’s essential to create margin and breathing room, master the art of time-blocking, and say yes only to the things that nurture you, your family, and your business.

Focusing on what I can control during all this chaos has made even the most challenging days more fulfilling, joyful, and productive.

I love a morning routine, but living in a short-term residence and then finally moving into the house with contractors constantly around made sticking to my routine challenging.

I had to set boundaries and return to what I know works for me. I started waking up earlier to beat the new demands on my time, got back to drinking water before coffee, made time to journal, scheduled my priorities (if something isn’t on my schedule, it won’t happen), meditated, and set a time to work out so I could be energized, focused, and prepared to create a great day amidst the chaos.

I suggest picking a routine that works best for you or, in my case, getting back on track and remembering that consistency produces results. I decided never to skip my morning routine two days in a row.

I kept reminding myself and my husband to focus on progress over perfection. No matter how many boxes we unpacked or how many design decisions we made, it seemed like we were still miles away from being finished and put together!

We were working on our businesses and our house without taking time to enjoy either, so finally, we took a day off and had fun. It made getting back to work so much better.

Remember to take a break, play, and have fun because what needs to be done will still be there when you come back refreshed and renewed! 

The only way to get through stressful times is to embrace the experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Learn and grow, feel the emotions, and know you are responsible for your reactions and actions. 

This move has taught and reminded me to:

1. Be productive, but build in breathing room.
2. Make my morning routine non-negotiable.
3. Continue to focus on progress over perfection!

So, my friend, remember to hold onto your purpose, live it, step into your power, and breathe. Whatever you're going through is temporary, and I know you can do it!