Mad Dash

Zip up, zip down

Try on, take off

Lace up, kick off

Keep back, toss out

Rush out, rush in

Pay up, next stop

Mad dash, quick flash

Breath in, breath out

No time, dine out!

The race is on! This is what my week has felt like. Organizing the children to get ready to go back to school every year feels more like a rat race. I know intellectually that I still have time but my anxiety always gets the best of me and I end up putting more undue stress on myself to ensure things are just right.

The situation didn’t improve when I realized I ran out of labels for Mr. D. I put those on rush order. I know—big deal—so I have to label everything a few days before as oppose to two weeks before. No big deal right? Wrong! I can procrastinate but once I start I can’t stand not seeing things through. When I feel this way I try to remember to play the ‘worse case scenario’ game. You could imagine how it might be played—when things don’t go your way or you start to feel anxious just imagine all the possible ways the situation might play itself out. Follow your thoughts through—keep prompting yourself by asking the question ‘and?’ after every answer you come up with. Also, imagine how you would have to respond after each possible situation. You may discover that even though things may not go your way, you do have the tools to deal with whatever may happen. This is a simple example but you can also play this game when faced with more serious life events. I find it has helped me even during difficult times as well.

No, I am not happy with not being able to finalize my children’s school supplies in this moment, however I will get it done and I will be ready for the first day of school next week. Now, I can’t speak for my kids, but I can imagine they won’t be ready to wake up early again after many lazy, late morning, no alarm clock-kind-of-start to the day.

So..let the mad dash begin!