FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Feeling lost and overwhelmed...what happened?

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Wow, this was meant to be 'my' year. A new year, a fresh start, a year to focus on what i want to do and where i am headed but i have hit a brick wall and can't break through. Single mum 3 kids. My little one has more kinder sessions so i have 3 days with about 4 hours free. With kids at school/kinder, this was my plan and how i wanted to spend my time i was excited/positive up until last weeks:

Do a few odd jobs around the house, fix a few things, big clean up;

Join a gym, do yoga for relaxation, walk every day - take care of me

Do an online course or some short courses so i can think of going back to work next year when she starts school. I could do something i really enjoy, a new career.

Maybe do some casual work or start a little business from a hobby

How i feel now:

Don't know where to start,anxious, guilty for not doing anything with my free time yet

How will i juggle 2 teenagers and a preppie and work all on my own next year?

If i work next year who will look after the little one on school holidays? I don't want to use school holiday programs when she is in grade prep. The thought makes me sick.

Maybe i should sell the house, just get rid of the mortgage and rent and be free ( i have this thought every month around pmt time) but where would i go and would i be renting forever? I feel overwhelmed with mortgage and bills, just like everyone i guess. Am i running away from responsibility, am i lazy?

I feel i have to be doing something all the time, feel guilty if i take time out (i was fine first week of kinder, this started second week I feel guilty not working, Scared I'll get in trouble for not doing anything yet and for having free time. The course i wanted is too expensive but i can look at other options.

I feel like a lazy mum, bad example to set for my children.

I'm anxious and depressed. i look at others with their families and how they are happy and going out and going away because they can afford to.

Am i crazy for being like this? Am i a lazy person? I had it all planned out, what happened, why have i now fallen like this? I saw a positive future, upgrade my skills, get out there and be something now i cant see it anymore.

I've lost my direction. People have said to give myself time to adjust to having some free time and to take a break and then rethink what i want to do but i'm panicking, like i'm wasting my time and i cant get going. I don't deserve anything i have.

Thanks for reading

cmf x

5,482 Replies 5,482

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
I'm going to run around, make the beds and tidy the house now so they don't think I have been home all day doing nothing.

velvetfaerie
Community Member

Woo progress ! Good to hear.

And during the running around, don't forget a cuppa tea!

V.

Quercus
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi CMF (and hello to Velvet too),

Can I ask a question? Well a second one...

What's wrong with doing nothing?

My four year old makes his own bed or it doesn't get made. I am not a bloody slave. Your elder two really have no excuse CMF. Shut their doors and leave the mess.

My friend has 3 kids and an awesome technique...

A chart on the fridge which is a giant list of chores that need to be done and what each chore is worth. Each kid does as much as they want so if they do nothing... No pocket money. The best bit... She is on it too. So every job mum does is visible and she pays herself too. Her house has never been tidier. And the kids learn you have to work to earn your money.

By all means do your usual chores but if it belongs to the kids... Leave it! You are the adult. It is your house. If you choose to go to bed and do nothing for a day so what? You're allowed to!

I'm with V, cuppa tea time CMF. You work very hard. Enjoy the quiet and do something for you for once.

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

I'll come back to,your point Nat. I'm so tired and depleted, have a headache.

i have been wondering, will my kids be here one day, on the BB forums, suffering anxiety/depression cos I was a bad mum?

im so exhausted and feeling useless. Teenage daughter scoffed at me when I told her I'd been running around all day. I've been running around all week in fact. I'm so depleted.

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Feeling a little anxious. Had a nice weekend went to friend's daughters bday last night, relaxed today but my anxiety is creeping in. Knew this would happen. Last Thursday i finally had all 3 at school.I've met with 2 RE agents re possible part time work, dropped off my resume to 4 retail stores (a couple recruiting next couple of months) and applied for a fre jobs on line.I've done the main running around i wanted to do, what will i do next week? I know I'm going yo start feeling like i can't get a job despite it being only 2 days. Im feeling worried, panicky.

Also 'he' told me the reno is finished. The board is up for it to be leased yet he is still there on the weekends doing work? I don't get it. If it's 'finished' why is he still working on it? I think subconsciously he keeps going there to avoid the responsibility of little miss. He used the house as an excuse for not taking her to see his parents all year. If the house is finished he has no excuses anymore. Also has no car, haven't seen their car around maybe broken down again. I hope I'm wrong but this is what he does. Avoids responsibility by 'having to work'. If the house is finished and is sitting st home or out enjoying his day would he feel guilty not seeing little miss? If he keeps 'working' on the house, which is 'finished' he has an excuse.

Aaahhhh anxiety.

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
I just feel this pressure to find a job, like i did when she started kinder last year, when i started this thread. I have more pressure now. I have to find something.It's that feeling all over again. I knew it would happen.

quirkywords
Community Champion
Community Champion

CMF

I feel your anxiety about the pressure to get work. I am so lucky I. Ow am my own bos, I dont make much but I cam play my own work schedule.

You have worked very hard putting CVs out and talking to possible employers.

I am sorry about 'he' avoiding time with title miss.

So where does this pressure come from to get work? From you, from friends or family?I hope the feeling you under pressure calms down soon.

Quirky

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
I can't say the word/name of where the pressure comes from. It gives me high anxiety. Little miss turns 5 this year, when she turns six i need to be working or studying 15 hours per week. I know it is not till next year but i will go crazy if i don't find something soon and i don't want to be forced. I'm tired of relying on 'other sources' to live, i want to move way from that, i hate it. It gives me anxiety, like it does many people.

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Nat, apologies i have been meaning to get back to you re your your suggestions.

I am so used to being criticized and put down for not working since having little miss that i feel i need to be constantly doing something and justifying my time.

I love that you have a friend with 3 kids and appreciate you sharing her techniques.

i know you are right re them a making their own beds etc but as i am at a home I can't stand seeing the mess and i'm not a fan of closed doors. They do that enough when they're home. Alos, it gives me something to do, I'm not good at sitting around :-).

Re pocket my teenage daughter gets some from her dad and i don't actually give her any. I don't give my son andy either as he has a part time job. My daughter has a chores list she made up herself, sometimes she does them, sometimes she doesn't. I am so much in my own head that i just do everything myself and don't ask them. i also think i shouldn't have to ask, the know what time to set the table, know how to clear their dishes, if they want something washed it goes in the laundry. Maybe it is a control thing that i just do everything, maybe i feel i need to have that control because so much is out of my control. Maybe i have been conditioned to think i should do everything cos i don't work.

Who knows. Little miss went off to school happier today which was good.

cmf x

velvetfaerie
Community Member

I always feel the need to be constantly doing things. I am not sure if it is anxiety linked or self worth linked or they are things that hang out together a lot. What you say in interesting though. Made me think about it.