What to do when everything feels falling apart?
It’s a busy day during an already hectic period in your life. You wake up early, ready to take on the tasks ahead. As you step into the shower for a refreshing start, you discover that the local water utility has decided to shut off the hot water for repairs.
This unexpected turn adds to the stress of the day. After quickly showering with cold water, you make your way down to the kitchen, hoping for a comforting cup of coffee to fuel your morning. To your dismay, the coffee pot is empty. You check the clock and realize time is slipping away.
With a sense of urgency, you turn to your email for any updates from work. You see that your boss sent you two urgent matters at the crack of dawn—6 AM, to be exact—that need immediate attention along with your regular workload. The weight of these new responsibilities hangs heavily over you.
Once you are finally ready to leave, you head to your car, only to find that it won’t start. Frustration wells up inside you. Instead of a quick drive, you’re forced to rely on public transportation, which is delayed and overcrowded.
As you navigate through the crowd, the skies open up, pouring rain down on you. You rush to your workplace, irritated that you forgot your umbrella.
When you finally grab a cup of coffee and settle in for your first meeting of the day, your phone buzzes. It’s a call from your child’s kindergarten. Your daughter has thrown up and feels warm, and they need you to pick her up immediately.
And so the chaos unfolds. It's as if the universe is conspiring against you, throwing one inconvenience after another your way.
This feeling may resonate with many people. There are days, even weeks, when it feels like everything is collapsing. Your plans become a fragile house of cards, easily toppled by a single gust of wind.
This experience is not unique to you. Many have faced this overwhelming sense of disaster. It’s common to feel that both your personal and professional lives are spiraling out of control. The desire to escape and seek a simpler life, perhaps in a remote monastery, crosses your mind in moments of frustration.
Life has a way of throwing unexpected situations at us. Despite our best intentions to lead balanced lives with slow moments, such challenging days are inevitable. Experiencing these situations occasionally is not inherently a problem. However, if they happen too frequently, it may be time to pause and reflect on what is happening.
While you cannot prevent all events, you can change how you respond to them. Start by accepting that unpredictability is a part of life. This acceptance serves as a solid foundation.
However, it doesn’t mean you have to accept everything that comes your way. If you receive a dish that is completely different from your order, it’s okay to speak up.
You are not obligated to say yes to every early morning email from your boss without question. It’s important to voice concerns when things feel unfair.
When your calendar is packed to the brim, there is little space for surprises. It’s like a glass that is already full; any additional water will simply overflow.
While you can't prevent things from happening, it’s essential to evaluate how much capacity you have to deal with unexpected events when they arise. By creating space for the unexpected, you may find a way to navigate these chaotic moments more smoothly.