Overcoming the Overwhelming

by Judy

Have you ever been forced to learn something new that seemed so overwhelming to you that you  shoved it under the rug for awhile? Did you think that maybe if you ignored it, it would just go away? I did just that recently, and I want to share with you how I finally overcame the overwhelming.

When I found out several months ago that I have a gluten allergy, I cringed, and then proceeded to carry on the same as I always have. A word of wisdom here - not a good decision!

The idea of having to change the way I shop for, cook, and eat my food - well it was just way too overwhelming. So I ignored it. And now me and my stomach - actually my whole inflamed, achy and puffy body, really regrets that decision.

Learning of my allergy, ignoring it, coming to terms with it, and finally doing what I need to do to be healthy and feel good, has been a long process. And it's all because it seemed so overwhelming. I know that many of you have felt completely overwhelmed by something at some point in your life. There are probably some of you reading this right now who are feeling this emotion. And that's why I decided to write this post. No matter what you may be overwhelmed with, there are a few things that worked for me that I'd like to share with you.

First, I finally put my problem into perspective. What at first seemed like something that I would never get a handle on, became clearer to me when I looked at the bigger picture. When I thought of it in the "grand scheme of things" it seemed smaller and more doable. I like to have this thought whenever I'm stressed, totally overwhelmed, or worried. It seems to very quickly make me realize that "this" too can be conquered. 

Secondly, I took baby steps. I researched. Then I bought books and cookbooks, and I've read and read and read. The more information I read about it, the more comfortable I get with it. You know that great saying, knowledge is power.

Next, I've learned to believe in myself. I believe that I can learn all 36 terms for gluten that can be listed on a nutrition label. Even if they all have four syllables! I can learn this, and I will learn this. If you believe that you can do something you will have a better outcome than if you believe you can't do something.

Finally, don't be afraid to reach out to other people. Ask for help if you need it. Look for others who have gone through what you're going through. The magic of the internet has allowed me to find sites pertaining to my problem, and people who know it, who understand it, and who can answer any of my questions as I go along this new path.

I hope that all of you are moving along swimmingly right now. I hope that you aren't in the midst of something, big or small, that is overwhelming you. But if you are, or when you are, I hope you remember what's worked well for me. Maybe it will work for you too. 

"Instead of focusing on the size of the challenge, focus on the size of your inner strength."