"I'm So Over It"

I hear this all the time.  You probably hear it all the time, too.  You probably have even said it yourself sometimes; at least in your head.  "I'm So Over It."

Zoom.  So over it.  Coronavirus.  So over it.  Social Unrest.  So over it.  Working from home.  So over it.  Wildfires.  So over it.  Hurricanes. So over it.  Debates. So over it.  Voter Suppression.  So over it. 

We have hit the wall.   We are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.  We are so sick and tired of being sick and tired.  We are irritable, frustrated, and scared.  For many, depression and anxiety are in there somewhere, too.  

In sports, hitting the wall refers to depleting your stored glycogen and the feelings of fatigue and negativity that typically come with it.   Some athletes refer to it as bonking.  

In marathon running, it comes at the 20 mile mark, more or less.  Yet, 6.2 miles remain.   If you've hit the wall, finishing no longer seems doable.  

Oh, by the way, Donald Trump is clearly suffering from it.  He threw another fit during his taped 60 Minutes interview with Leslie Stahl.  He seems to hit the wall regularly.  

Unfortunately, this is only the 20-mile mark for the election, we still have 2 weeks to go.  We are at the 20-mile marker of 2020 as well.  But, remember that we are dealing with what could be a series of marathons.  We have many more milestones to reach.  

So, is there anything to do to prepare for hitting the wall?  Is there anything to do once you hit the wall? 

How to Prepare for Hitting the Wall

1.  This first preparation technique is referred to as “if-then planning” ― for example, if you hit the wall, you can use a visualization technique to imagine yourself getting through it.   What will it look like on the other side?   Visualize the answer to the question.  

2.  Break your "marathon" into smaller subtasks or shorter milestones.  Identify the next marker or landmark, go to that marker and take a break.  Reset, regroup, reboot.  Then do it again.  

Take it one task, and then, one day at a time.  

3.  Be aware of your internal state.  Slow your breathing down.  Notice your breath.  Inhale deeply and then completely empty your lungs, then let them fill completely.  Do it several times.  It's another way to reboot.

5.  Distract yourself by externally accepting what is.  Allow and embrace whatever the discomfort is, rather than blocking it.  Go with it, rather than fight it.  

6.  Remember your last experience with extreme adversity.  Inventory all that it took to get you through that adversity.  What did you learn?  What do you need to repeat from that experience?  

7. Forget perfection.  In these times, there is no room for perfection.  If you are going to be "so over it," be so over perfection.    

If you then find yourself coming up against more mental roadblocks, here are a few more techniques to try.

1. Make a motivational or relaxing music playlist. Distracting yourself with some great tunes can help you make it to the finish line.

2. Try the buddy system. A partner (remember we are all in this situation) can keep you (and your buddy) focused and supported.

3.  Try “attention narrowing.” Runners who focus their eyes on an object in the distance get there faster. Focusing on an object on the horizon can make the distance feel shorter.

Remember, you can't get there without getting through today.   Finishing this marathon requires just getting to the next landmark, then the next.  That is all that matters right now.  .