Today was one of those days when I find myself reassuring everyone around me that it's going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine, I said at least 10 times. OK, maybe five of those times I was talking to myself.
It's the day before a Very Big Meeting, and everyone is worried that his or her thoughts aren't organized. It's a day when a couple of people are starting a new job, and they're realizing it's going to be more challenging than they'd expected. It's a day when personal responsibilities, such as finalizing a divorce and preparing for a child's birthday, have to be accomplished around back-to-back meetings. But it's going to be fine. It's going to be fine. Everything will be fine.
Oh, and how many blogs are due? It's all going to be fine.
When I was a single parent in college and had a paper due the next day that I still hadn't even started (and perhaps just then a very handsome man knocked on my door to say hello and have a cup of tea), I would tell myself, "The world will not end if I don't get this done on time." It was my younger self's version of "It's going to be fine." I remember that paper well. I got an A+. See, it's going to be fine!
We all have days like that every once in a while, when accomplishing everything seems impossible and accomplishing those things well seems even more impossible. But seriously, it's going to be fine. As long as you don't waste any energy freaking out, getting angry at people, or having crying fits, you can actually get more done than you think. In fact, you might even have time to check Facebook, take a hot bath, and read the newspaper (True!).
Just don't ever forget to eat and stay caffeinated--key to maintaining a stable blood sugar level, which fuels heroic feats like getting everything done when it seems impossible. And don't stop reassuring yourself and everyone else that it's going to be fine. Because a funny thing happens when you tell yourself it's going to be fine.
It is fine. Everything is fine.
For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com