Somehow it’s often at this time of the year that one seems to hit a mid-year crisis. Whether it is personal, relational, work or school related, by now the year has gathered momentum and we are heading toward the latter part of the year and ……Christmas again!
Anxieties begin to take hold over what’s been accomplished, or not accomplished – whether it be through procrastination, expectations or life circumstances.
It’s is also the time when work deadlines and school commitments seem relentless, never mind the stress of school exams! Not only do the parents feel frazzled and fatigued, but anxiety runs high for children whether they be writing their first exams in primary school or tackling the daunting task of prelims. The stress is real!!
And yet this frenetic pace sometimes seems to serve as a defence against emptiness – ones led to believe that if you are busy and your life is full, you are contributing to society in a meaningful way. It’s during these pressure moments that families and relationships start to take strain as the individuals in these ‘connected systems’ begin to feel isolated, anxious, disconnected and unsupported. It’s often at these times when we go into self-preservation mode that we become unavailable to the ones who need us most which further perpetuates the cycle of feeling disconnected. And yet we need to remind ourselves that in this ‘busyness’ we do have choices and can exercise a certain level of control.
One needs to become aware of the fallouts and be more intentional in our daily relationships.
For support in this area please contact us at Haeck House – we are here to help.
Written by Lisa Burger
3 August 2015