“I can only do one thing at a time” is a phrase I find myself repeating on a daily basis. Multiple times, even. As women, multitasking is something ingrained in us.
I always thought it was a great quality to have. As a nurse, I am always multitasking, charting a patient while on hold with the pharmacy or grabbing a weight on someone when I am assisting them to the bathroom.
As a mom, it’s how things get done. Am I right? We are forever doing several things at a time, not to mention the invisible list of things going on in our minds. For example, I could be making dinner and switching out loads of laundry while encouraging my son to complete his homework, all while looking over my shoulder to ensure my other two aren’t completely destroying my house.
Or I’d be in the middle of washing bottles and running through the list of evening tasks: Run the dishwasher. Turn over the laundry. Do the garbage or cans go out tonight? Let me look and see what the neighbors have out. Did someone just poop? Someone DEFINITELY pooped. At least then, it’s bath time, books, and bed. Ugh, but wait, the playroom is a mess, and I’ll have to tidy that up before I can finally collapse on the couch.
That’s when I usually hit my limit. The chaos gets too much to handle. The anxiety becomes so overwhelming. The noises seem noisier. The mess appears messier. Those are my cues, and with relief, my mantra kicks in.
“I can only do one thing at a time.”
I focus on the immediate priority and do my best to stay present while setting reasonable expectations for my kids. I will repeat this to myself and pick ONE thing to accomplish. When that is done, I’ll move to the next.
The laundry can wait. I’ll get to the mess when things settle down. Let me settle the younger two. That is the thing I am doing now. Maybe tonight isn’t the night to be making dinner. I can order a pizza or rely on delivery.
Doing one thing at a time and figuring out ways to take the pressure off “all the things” has done wonders for my inner dialogue and anxiety. It takes practice and repetition.
