Kayla Benda, Author at Oh, Hello Living

5 of the Best Things to Do When You’re Overwhelmed by Work

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work, it can be easy to feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Trust me. I definitely get it. There have been too many days to count recently where I just stare at my computer, overwhelmed on what to work on next. There are some simple things you can do to help relieve the stress and get back on track. Here are five of the best things to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed by work:

Take a break.

It’s important to step away from your work and give yourself a mental break. This could be as simple as going for a walk, taking a quick nap, or spending some time with friends or family. Taking a break can help you clear your head and refocus, so you can tackle your work with renewed energy. Sometimes I just need a change of scenery. I drive myself to a coffee shop, get a drink, and set up a little office there.

Prioritize your tasks.

It’s easy to feel like everything is urgent and important. However, not all tasks are created equal. Take a few minutes to prioritize your tasks and focus on the ones that are most important or urgent. This will help you feel more in control and make it easier to tackle your workload. If I’m not sure, I usually just ask myself, “which of these tasks will generate the most income/benefit before others?” That usually helps me weed out the unnecessary clutter and focus on what’s most important.

Ask for help.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to reach out to your coworkers, manager, or HR department for support. They may be able to offer you additional resources, such as training or assistance with certain tasks, to help you manage your workload. If you work for yourself like I do, expressing how I’m feeling to my partner Alex or my team helps them to see where they could assist me. If you don’t ask, most people won’t know.

Practice self-care.

Taking care of yourself is crucial when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This could include activities like exercising, meditating, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy. These activities can help you reduce stress and boost your mood, so you can approach your work with a positive attitude. This is more important than ever in the colder, darker months.

Set boundaries.

It’s important to set boundaries when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This could mean setting specific times for checking emails, turning off notifications outside of work hours, or saying no to additional tasks or projects. Setting boundaries can help you manage your workload and prevent burnout. I make sure I set aside time for myself every single day. I don’t let my emails ping my phone (this was a huge improvement for me). Find ways to give yourself a little space from work.

It’s easier said than done. Without a doubt. But you and I can keep working at it together!

20 Journaling Prompts to Help with Self-Discovery

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-discovery and can help you gain a better understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can feel daunting to stare at an empty page and not know what to write about. So I’ve complied a list of 20 journaling prompts to help you get started on your journey of self-discovery. From exploring your values and goals, to reflecting on your relationships and experiences, these prompts will encourage you to dig deeper and gain insight into who you are and what you want.

What are my values and how do I live in alignment with them?
What are my strengths and how can I use them more effectively?
What are my goals for the future and how can I work towards achieving them?
What brings me joy and fulfillment in life?
How do I handle difficult emotions and situations?
How do my past experiences shape who I am today?
What are my relationships like and how can I improve them?
How do I handle stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
What are my beliefs and how do they impact my behavior?
What are my goals for personal growth and self-improvement?
How do I want to be remembered by others?
What are my biggest fears and how can I confront them?
What are the things I am most grateful for in my life?
What are my biggest accomplishments and how did I achieve them?
How do I want to change and grow as a person?
What are my goals for my career and how can I work towards achieving them?
How do I want to contribute to the world and make a positive impact?
What are my hobbies and how do they enrich my life?
How do I define success for myself and am I on the right path to achieving it?
What are my deepest desires and how can I fulfill them?

How to Make Productive To Do Lists for the Entire Week

To-do lists are an essential tool for staying organized and productive. However, creating a to-do list for the entire week can be a daunting task. Here are some tips for making productive to-do lists for the entire week:

1. List out all of your tasks and responsibilities for the week.

This could include work tasks, household chores, errands, and personal projects. It’s important to include everything, even the small tasks, to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

2. Prioritize your tasks.

Not all tasks are created equal, so it’s important to prioritize them based on their importance and deadline. High priority tasks should be at the top of your list, while low priority tasks can be scheduled for later in the week or delegated to someone else.

3. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

This will make it easier to tackle your tasks and make progress towards completing them. For example, instead of just writing “write report” on your to-do list, break it down into smaller tasks such as “research topic”, “outline report”, and “write first draft”. This will encourage you to keep going on a task, and not miss anything in the process.

4. Use a system to organize your to-do list.

There are many different systems you can use, such as the traditional to-do list, the prioritized to-do list, the time-blocked to-do list, etc. Experiment with different systems to find one that works best for you.

5. Review and update your to-do list regularly.

It’s important to review your to-do list daily and make any necessary updates. This will help you stay on track and make sure you’re not missing any important tasks. To-do lists should be flexible, changing things that adjust to your day. Plans change and your to-do list needs to change with them!

By following these tips, you can create productive to-do lists for the entire week that will help you stay organized, prioritize your tasks, and make progress towards achieving your goals.

The Best Last Minute Gifts for the Minimalist in Your Life

With the holidays literally just around the corner, it can be a challenge to find the perfect gift for the minimalist in your life. After all, minimalists value simplicity and prioritize experiences over material possessions. So, what do you get for the person who seems to have everything they need and nothing they don’t?

First, consider the minimalist’s interests and passions. Is your friend a fitness enthusiast, a bookworm, or a foodie? A gift that aligns with their interests will be more meaningful and appreciated than a generic item that takes up space. For example, a new workout book or class pass for the fitness enthusiast, a limited edition book for the bookworm, or a gourmet food item for the foodie.

Another option is to give the gift of an experience, such as a concert or theater tickets, a culinary class, or a trip. These types of gifts provide lasting memories and require no physical space.

If you do want to give a physical gift, consider something that is high-quality and will last for a long time. Minimalists appreciate durability and longevity in their possessions. A nice piece of kitchen equipment, a quality piece of clothing, or a well-made piece of furniture are all good options.

You could also give them a calendar filled with coffee dates, lunches, and things to look forward to with you and their other friends. Setting up events and gatherings is a heartfelt way to see them more regularly next year.

Be sure to consider the minimalist’s lifestyle and values. Is your friend trying to live a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly life? If so, you could give a gift that aligns with these values, such as a reusable water bottle or a compost bin.

The best gifts for the minimalist in your life are those that align with their interests, provide a memorable experience, are high-quality and long-lasting, and align with their lifestyle and values. It’s the thought that counts, so put some thought into your gift and it is sure to be appreciated.

My #1 Travel Must Have | Cadence Capsules

Travel. The thing that sets my soul on fire and my anxiety brain spinning. If I don’t have a trip on the calendar to obsess over at all times, am I really living? Over the years I’ve perfected my travel items down to a science. And these Cadence Capsules play a huge part in my obsessively streamlined packing routine.

Instagram ads got me good with this one. About a year ago I kept seeing these capsules pop up on my feed and I caved. And boy am I glad I did. These are a serious game changer.

How They’re Built

They capsules are small but mighty. They hold a surprising amount of product, have rounded edges inside for easy scooping, and have completely spill proof lids. The tops are magnetic so they can click to the side of the capsule to hold it in place. The tiles on top? Magnetic so you can switch them around. The capsules themselves? Also magnetic. So they can click together in whatever formation you need to fit into your bag.

Plus it’s damn pretty to open your toiletry case to see these beautiful babies rather than a mess of bottles and half used samples. Aesthetics can matter when it comes to a relaxing trip.

Customization

You’re able to choose the capsule color, the tile color, and what’s printed on the tile of each of your cubes. They even have symbol options as well. And since the tiles are removeable, you can mix and match what you need for a particular trip.

Customer Service

This company by far has the absolute best customer service I’ve ever dealt with. When I first purchased from them, they didn’t have the option to order just the top tiles, but they sent me two for free with the customization I wanted on them anyway. I recently had a cube fracture near the seal. I contacted them and they’re sending a replacement cube AND an extra one while requesting I send them back the broken one so they can make sure this doesn’t happen to other customers. INSANE SERVICE.

Price

Now at first $76 for six capsules was a hard price to get over. But knowing about the customer service and just how amazing these are at reducing the bulk in my toiletries bag so I can pack lighter, I’d buy them again in a heartbeat. I have already purchased another six beyond the first ones I ordered.

I’m not being paid for this post. They don’t even have an affiliate program which is a major bummer. They’re just that damn good that I had to tell you about them.

GET YOUR CADENCE CAPSULES