In the past 7 days, have there been tasks or expectations that have felt unattainable for you? Have these expectations been requirements related to work, school, homelife, financial or social obligations? We all have a laundry list of to-do items that seems to grow longer and more complex the older we get. Sometimes it feels as though those stress-provoking life expectations slowly begin to drain every ounce of enthusiasm that you once felt- back when things were much simpler.

Do you ever feel like other people seem to be able to better manage their stressors? Have you found yourself envious of a friend’s or colleague’s ability to stroll through their day-to-day operations with "ease" and little to no worry? In all actuality, each person must find their own rhythm. Some people might discover this inner attunement earlier than others. Nonetheless, rest assured that they too had to endure their own struggle to get there. 

If you’ve reached a moment where you are feeling overwhelmed, like a balloon about to pop or a covered pot of water set to boil, then perhaps you are right where you are supposed to be! In the cycle of change, a person will first understand that something needs to change before they can implement a change. If reality has started to set in for you, then perhaps it’s time for you to take a self-inventory.

In short, responsibilities and challenges (whether foreseen or unpredictable) can produce pressure. Any vessel that is put under enough heaviness could become overwhelmed. This overwhelming feeling manifests for us as a state of stress. If we are not careful, chronic stress can lead to impairments in psychological and physiological functionality.

It’s time to re-evaluate how we manage the heavy weights of responsibility and life changes that we carry. Imagine, the last time you took a flight, and you were given the option of taking your 100-pound luggage onboard with you for FREE, or to check it with an agent upon arrival at the airport for a fee of $50-$100. Which option would you choose? If you’d choose to take it aboard, why? If no, why not? While lugging the hefty bag all around the airport with you, squeezing it down the narrow isle of an already crowded plane might appeal to some for the sake of saving a few dollars- the very thought of it might leave others feeling nerve-wrecked to say the least.

The emotional and mental baggage that we carry is much like that 100-pound bag. Out of some form of perceived convenience, some might believe it’s worth it to do it all on their own. Checking the baggage might mean relinquishing control, asking for help, setting boundaries, or simply letting go of something that they’ve been carrying around for so long. 

Here are a few things to consider as you begin to decide what to do with your baggage:

•   Take a closer look
• Make a list of your daily tasks and responsibilities.

•    Evaluate the list
• Are there things you can delegate, get rid of, ask for help with or modify on the list?

•    Remember it’s okay to say “No”
• Setting healthy boundaries with family, friends, and co-workers isn’t a crime. It’s self-preservation.

•     Find your joy
• Make a list of things you enjoy doing and commit to doing one thing on the list daily.

•     Nourish your body, mind, and spirit each day
• Find ways to get and stay active, develop your mind’s curiosity to learn something new, and try meditation, prayer or journaling each day.

If you’re ready to check your stress, then today’s a good day to start a list.  If you’re not ready, ask yourself, “What’s the real cost I’m paying to carry this heavy baggage?”

Good Read Recommendation: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and It's All Small Stuff by Kristine Carlson and Richard Carlson available on Amazon.com.