verb: to overpower the thoughts, emotions, or senses of

The past month has seen quite a number of changes since I last wrote... I can't write about all of it, of course, and I am not entirely sure what I'm going to write about right now to be honest!

My birth center planning has continued. I am actually in the midst of a "How to Start a Birth Center" Workshop at the moment and am overloaded with information. There is so much to learn, so much to read, so much to do. Expected, no doubt, but still overwhelmed. Despite knowing on some level what amount of work is ahead of you, the overwhelm is not going to be eased.

It's funny how overwhelm works. Guess I'm writing about overwhelm! I find overwhelming situations to be very manageable when the proper support is in place. I would guess that most people feel the same way (once we get past the hurdle of having to ASK for support!). I've learned a lot about myself and my capacity for overwhelm throughout the process of starting this birth center business venture, but I've also learned a lot about other people and how overwhelm affects the way they offer support. I have learned that support shows up in all sorts of ways and that sometimes, the people we think will support us the most are the ones who are not able to.

The most important thing to remember during periods of overwhelm is that the people you lean on will react to your overwhelm. Their reaction is what helps or hinders your state of being - if their reaction is empathetic, curious, and calm, chances are you'll have an easier time dealing with the overwhelming nature of the situation you're in. I think, too often, we forget to take a second to contemplate our reactions. We go with our immediate response, like a reflex, rather than a calculated reaction. On the other hand, when seeking out support, we may not think about how that person will react. We often assume that because someone is our family member or close friend, that support is automatic and unconditional.

Overwhelm is a part of the human experience and it cannot be avoided all of the time. Plus, out of overwhelm can come growth, expansion, innovation, and productivity. I am grateful for this time in my life and know that I work well under pressure with a lot on my plate. I am also grateful that overwhelm shines some light on one's true capacity for collaboration.