There are times in life when the rhythm and pacing goes a little out of whack. Periods of overwhelm, uncertainty, and change. Times when the walls seemingly close in and everyday functioning becomes preoccupied with specific things that mean other important stuff gets neglected. And it feels like you're holding on for dear life by your fingertips, trying to pull yourself back to a place where you can find a firm footing again.

These seasons happen to all of us and can be triggered by various sources. For example:

Everything gets away from you because of an unforeseen change in circumstances (job loss, death of a loved one, illness etc)

You feel spread thin because of choices you have made and opportunities that are presenting themselves (successes, a new project/hobby, having a baby, getting a promotion or new job etc)

Either way we can experience the same kind of feeling that we can't cope with the chaos that comes with that stimulation. It's important to understand that even when we choose the things that can bring overwhelm, it's no reason to feel shame. It's natural. When we make progress in any area of life there may well be a period of time when it feels like we're holding onto other aspects by our fingertips.

The question is, how do we respond?

This is what I talk about in this week's episode. I go through a few of the sources of fingertip living I've been experiencing the past couple of weeks. Why there hasn't been a podcast episode for two weeks.

It's mostly because of good overwhelm. Yes I believe there is such a thing. As I explain in the show, there are lots of really exciting things happening right now; creative projects, new music releases, changes in The Haven, and so on. Stuff I'm passionate and enthusiastic about. Stuff I've CHOSEN to pursue. Yet nonetheless it's still fingertip stuff because, being a finite being with limited resources, it's taking me away from other things (like the last two weeks of podcast episodes!)

Overwhelm only gets bad when we believe it is a sustainable pace at which to live. Or that somehow we've got to last forever trying to pull ourselves up the mountain by our fingertips. We don't. We can't.

I describe a few ways I've responded to this season in an effort to move through the chaos and out the other end. The release of this episode is evidence that I'm getting there!