Do you ever feel overwhelmed with life? Do you ever feel like a failure when the day is through and you haven’t accomplished everything you set out to do? Are you ever tempted to become a workaholic so you can finish all those things?
I often feel all of these things. So today I’d like to share some truth journal entries on those subjects. These are entries from my own journal, but I’d love to post some entries from your journals if I can!
What I’m hoping to do is post examples of truth journal entries for different problems – insecurity, anger, worry, breaking habits, working on goals, or anything else you might think of. If you have one you wouldn’t mind me including in a post, please email me! My email address is under the about tab above.
Since I have so many of my own entries on work through the years, I thought I’d post entries on that subject today. Here goes:
Note: If you’re not familiar with truth journaling, click here.
Feeling overwhelmed:
Thoughts: 1. I have so much I have to get done today. 2. I have to get up right away this very minute and get it done. 3. Besides, it’s 4:00 am and I’ve had 5 1/2 hours of sleep – that’s enough. 4. I will never get all my stuff done today. 5. If I get up early, I’ll have a better chance of doing it.
Truths:
- This isn’t true. Everything I have to do is self-imposed. Nothing has to get done. Remember Jesus? He would leave all He had to get done and go off and spend hours alone with God. I need to do this! Aside from quiet times, I should also have regular prayer days so I’m not tempted to make life about work.
- No. I need to be careful. I need to guard against becoming a workaholic. I need boundaries for work.
- According to experts, it’s not. But I could get in the habit of a nap I suppose.
- If I don’t get everything done, it won’t be sleep that keeps me from doing it. It’s never that I sleep too long. It’s procrastination. So it’s not “I need to get up so I can get that super long list done.” It’s “I need to learn how to keep working on the list without procrastination.”
- If I learn to follow my list without procrastination, I will also have a better chance of doing it.
Feeling like a failure:
Thoughts: 1. I got nothing done today. 2. I’m so bad. 3. I never get anything done. 4. I’ll never be able to do anything. 5. I’m doomed to failure.
Truths:
- I got a blog post perfected, another one outlined, and I sat with a dying man (through hospice) for 2 hours. That’s enough. But I will need to put boundaries on how much time I can spend on a blog post. I spent too much time today.
- Goodness and badness is not determined by how much I get done – God hates that standard! I am a beloved child of God whether I get a lot done or a little done. Everyone has days when they don’t get a lot done. Plus sitting with (the man on hospice) was far more important than getting things done.
- Not true. I have almost finished my book. That’s amazing! I also got the indulgence section figured out. That’s an accomplishment.
- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. God will set me free, but it takes time. Don’t get discouraged! I have come SO FAR in the last year in overcoming procrastination.
- Father, I give up my “rights” to finish this book and get it out. You are in control. No one else. I put my hands in yours and say, “Whatever you want!”
Dreading my list for the day:
Thoughts: 1. This is so hard. 2. I can’t write this Donut book. 3. And even if I do come up with something to say, I won’t be able to get it in e-book format. 4. And even if that happens, it will mess up when I send it. 5. This is all too hard for me. 6. I can’t do it.
Truths: 1. It’s hard, but I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 2. I can’t write it perfectly or even greatly, but I can write it. And besides, the questions are already written! That’s 90% of the book! 3. I can hire someone to do this. 4. This is all doable. If others can do it, I can do it. I’ll have to check into how to do this. 5. It’s not too hard. I just need a little more prayer and fellowship of the Spirit. Why am I doing this? To help others. Father, help me to love! 6. See #2
Truth Journaling Tip for the Day: Try to make your truth entry much longer than your original thoughts entry. Since it’s the truth that will set us free, it’s better to have a longer truth!
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately…thanks! This helped free me from trying to do too much, especially in my own power. I need to trust God more.
I’m glad it helped, TC. I’m having a hard time getting back into the work swing of things after backpacking and camping for the last week plus. I want that simple life back again!
It’s always hard for me to get back into the swing of things after a vacation as well.
You’ll get there :)
Today is better than yesterday at least. :)
You truly have a gift for breaking things down into common sense bites which are easier to swallow, they don’t always taste good, but nourish the soul. The workaholic part hit me right between the eyes… and heart.
Thanks, Floyd. Left to my own devices I don’t break things down into common sense bites – instead, my thoughts are big swirling mess that overpowers me. That’s why I like truth journaling so much. It’s easier to see the truth one sentence at a time! It’s so strange to be struggling with workaholism when most of my life I’ve been so relaxed and struggled more with working. If you have any suggestions of how to deal with it, let me know!
Man, I’m probably the last person to be able to speak or write any advice on the subject. Type “A” personalities tend to do everything to the extremes. It brings success, but at what cost? I’m considering the cost over my lifetime these days… it’s not pretty and very expensive.
An in depth Bible study weekly keeps me more grounded than I’ve ever beed before, not close to perfect, but better seeking Him!
I remember you talking about your in depth study before. That’s a great idea. I also heard one speaker say that he scheduled in a full day of prayer once every two months and that helped him. The odd thing is that I’m still not type A – I think most of my problem is living up to expectations. I make the mistake of saying I’m going to publish something, then feel like people are expecting me to do it, and I want to live up to their expectations. Although with me, that might have been necessary to get me to actually do the work. :) I’ve been renewing my mind about living up to expectation – I’m making progress, but still not there yet.
You know I’m no expert, but I really think that the insecurities we have that motivate us is part of that type A personality.
That’s probably true.
Great stuff, Barb. There are so many lies we believe about getting things done. One of mine is that I have to have a whole day (or more) to devote to something to start. Funny, huh? :-)
That is VERY funny considering you have six kids and homeschool! :) I’m thinking that doesn’t happen very often. :)
Exactly! Thus my problem. :-)
Hmm, maybe you’ll have to get that curriculum written in bits and pieces. :)
Yes, I’ve used my Ph.D. to deduce this. LOL
Those Ph.D.s sure come in handy. :)
Barb, this is so on point for me. Super timely. It’s helping me put a finger on the things i need to process and work through right-about-now. You read my mail! :) Thankful to God.
It’s too bad we don’t live near each other, Ngina. We seem to have all the same problems. :) We could go on walks and talk about them. :) Hope you have a great day today!
I really needed to read this today, it seems like lately I’ve not been able to check off as many tasks as I have wanted. I have to ease my own burden and give myself even more grace. Great post:)
Thanks, Dan. I love the way you put that: “I have to ease my own burden and give myself even more grace.” So true! I need to do that too. I think we often have too high of expectations of how much we can and should accomplish. When I think of how much you have on your plate with a full time job and a family, I’m amazed at how much you get done with writing and blogging.
Glad to share. Thank you, it can be challenging to find time to write and connect with people online but I some how balance everything out:)
Thanks for sharing this personal example, Barb. This really connects when you can see someone else’s journey. It’s amazing how your thoughts are so similar to mine.
Thanks, Loren. I’m guessing a lot of people feel this way.
thanks so much for sharing your personal story. You are absolutely right when you said a lot of people will feel the same way.