In the last 3 days...life changes

[lostnfound]

In the last 72 hours, I found out that in the next month or so, I will be needing to: sell my house, buy a new one, and prepare to move; needing to make a decision on early retirement or not by Friday; and most importantly, needing to get to the bottom of a child's health crisis since the all night at the ER didn't explain a root cause; and incidentally I've got a fever / cold; and my dog injured his foot or something and is limping and yelping, so I guess the vet is in the cards along with the pediatrician and the ortho and job obligations and realtor calls.

How the heck do other people seem to cope so much more effectively?

At least snowpocalypse is not here now. 👍

[OrwellwasRight]

1. I think "seem" is the key word.

Some people do cope better, but many others just "seem" to because we are not privy to their inner struggles. I would say, breathe, share your troubles and accept help to lessen your load. Try to model your attitude on your calmest friend that you envy his or her ability to remain calm. That is what I try to do and it helps me keep my anxiety in check.

[lostnfound]

2. Thanks!

Good idea. Having to make so many decisions in a short period of time is the hard part for me, especially with other people involved. I will try to "keep calm and carry on".

[Generic Brad]

3. Make a lot of lists

Within the matter of a few weeks my daughter graduated from college, accepted a summer internship and moved out of the house less than week later, and by the end of the summer moved onto graduate school on the East coast. Then I accepted a job offer in Kansas and had to relocate on extremely short notice. We've had to manage two households since my wife does not retire until next week and she has had to manage the selling of our house practically on her own. So much change in a matter of months!

I found that my mind was racing and I couldn't focus on anything. It all seemed overwhelming at times. But my saving grace has been list making. I have made shopping lists, moving lists, house selling lists, etc. And every day I make sure I review my lists and prioritize. I find great comfort and feel a sense of control when I can mark something off that gets me one step closer to my overall goal (which is to get my wife to join me here so we can buy a new home and settle in). The management and problem solving skills I use at work every day have really helped me organize the parts of my personal life that I can. And it has made it all a little less overwhelming.

Good luck to you. It sounds like you have a lot to deal with.

[lostnfound]

4. My conclusion is...

People in the lounge are really nice.
:grouphug;
Thanks. It's good advice.