
13 Apr Frazzled | April 2020
What to Do When You’re Frazzled

Yellow-rumped Warbler, appearing concerned
Most likely you’re a bit frazzled.
Which is a nice way of saying worried, furious, overwhelmed, outraged, or scared.
At least, that’s how I feel right now. And I expect we might share this.
Such feelings are normal during a time filled with uncertainty.
And uncertainty hurts because it can cause you to feel out of control.
So take control over the one place that matters.
Your mind.
Here are three ways to do that.
And recognize that these suggestions can help at any time, even when everything is going well.
1) Write
Writing is the most powerful way to calm yourself.
So find a pen and paper –– even a crayon and paper bag will do.
And then write. Write about anything.
For example,
Write about your feelings. If you feel hurt, then rant, yell, and complain. If you feel good, then write about that.
Write questions. And then answer them. If you need a question, begin with “What questions would help me?”
Write conversations. Use two or more pens, one for each voice. Now you can talk to your wise self, your elders, or (even) your foolish self. You may be surprised by what appears when you do this.
Write compassion. Offer yourself confidence, encouragement, and praise.
Write gratitude. Make a list of everything that you like in your life. The fact that you’re able to write such a list is a good start.
And write nonsense — such as incomplete sentences, inside out thoughts, misspelled words. Then add drawings, cartoons, scribble. And when you finish, give yourself an A+.
Or, try coloring. It worked in first grade, and it can feel good now. Then post your art on the refrigerator.
And after you finish, you may want to save what you wrote because it could be a draft for the next best seller (e.g., “Frazzled and Me”). Or, wait a week and toss it out.
Personal Note: I wrote the draft for this post in my journal by answering the question: “What can I do?”
2) Walk
Even if you can go for only a minute, walk. It’s easy and healthy.
If possible, walk outside. Otherwise, walk anywhere. (I’ve walked 3 miles in our garage on a rainy day – and I can report that by now the scenery in there looks really familiar.)
And then, while you walk, feel the floor, the ground, the earth under your feet.
Yes, concentrate on that: Focus on the movement of your body while walking.
And be sure to breathe. Feel air going in and going out. Breathe deeply and deliberately.
Then swing your arms. Or raise them in the air. Or flap your elbows like wings on a bird. It’s okay, because during odd times people do odd things. So be one of them.
And wave at people as you see them. Say “Hello” or some other greeting, such as “Nice dog!” (assuming they have a dog).
3) Wonder
Admire simple beauty. It’s a source of joy that costs nothing.
For example, while you’re walking, notice the shapes and textures of clouds. Seriously, have you seen how beautiful clouds can be?
Pause to study the complexity, colors, and patterns in flowers. Realize that these are small bits of life that pushed dirt aside so that they could rise up to bloom.
Be astonished by bark on trees, bird calls, branches, and everything else, including “weeds.” Note: I put that in quotes because those plants don’t know that they’re “weeds.”
Most important, realize that all this life is connected; and that you’re part of it.
One more thought
Live as if you will survive. Begin by accepting what is. Then avoid What If worrying because that can drive you nuts.
Make compassion your highest priority.
Return to activities that nourish your serenity. If you like to cook, then cook. If you like to draw, then draw. And if you like to drum, then drum.
Or if you like to dance, then dance – even if it’s in your kitchen. If you like to sing, then sing – even if it’s in your shower.
And through all of this, be someone you would admire.
Much success,
Steve Kaye
Find More at:
Did You Know?
The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.
Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.
Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.
And here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation
You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.
Web Site | Presentations | Blog | Photos | Articles
Kaye Catherine
Posted at 10:09h, 13 AprilKind words when we need them most. Thank you.
Nancy L. Hoffmann
Posted at 10:55h, 13 AprilThanks Steve! Hope you’re doing well out there! I’m fine, but every night at 7:00 I step out my door with a cowbell and make lots of noise with the neighbors across 23rd Street to thank the caregivers, police, MTA workers, etc.
Otherwise, completely secluded. Phone calls help, though.
Cheers!
Brigitte Noel
Posted at 11:01h, 13 AprilA much appreciated, constructive post. Thank you!
Caleb Gentry
Posted at 14:14h, 14 AprilThanks, Steve hope you are well!!
Beth Kingsley Hawkins
Posted at 13:40h, 22 AprilThank you for your heartfelt thoughts,Steve. Very timely! Beth
mozelle sukut
Posted at 16:06h, 29 Aprilwonderful suggestions for us all during this crazy time!
Mozelle
Lara
Posted at 16:16h, 29 AprilI’d like to add one more . . .DANCE (or move for those who don’t like to “dance”). When we get stuck in our heads, like we’re bound to do in uncertain times, moving can ground us and bring us back into our bodies. Once grounded, we can begin to envision the regenerative economy that we can cause to emerge from this time in Quarantine. Love you, Steve. Thanks for being an ongoing source of joy in my life.
Mary Lundeberg
Posted at 07:28h, 30 AprilBeautiful Blog. Thanks.
Rita Robinson
Posted at 20:02h, 04 MayI love this, Steve. Especially enjoyed “Then post your art on the refrigerator.”
Light and bright. Well done.
Daphne Radenhurst
Posted at 10:19h, 14 JuneJust read this, a long way into lockdown, just when I needed it as I was beginning to flake out. Thanks for your wisdom, as always.