Chaos for charm
Chaos for charm
In 2020, learned how to design websites since I was primarily a content creator for tech teams and after a while, I needed a new challenge.
When designing, one thing is consistent — CHAOS! The words look chaotic on the screen — you can have nice words but they are too lengthy! Now, you need to shorten them to fit the design or the reverse — it is just chaotic.
Every time a new idea pops up in my head, I have the option to ‘not mess up what is working’ or be willing to accept a little bit more chaos so I can get something beautiful.
No designer who is scared of chaos ever gets anything significant done. Regardless of the industry or situation, you do not get any work done if you fear chaos.
A ship in a harbour is safe but that is not what ships are built for — John A. Shedd
From rearranging your furniture positions to rearranging your wardrobe, from getting the kids to do their assignment to restructuring your business finance (this one is on another level), from building a new team out of total strangers to falling in love — some level of unrest shows up.
We fear chaos and disorganization no doubt but the fact is without it, we do not discover more and we do not get more done.
Do not be so petrified by chaos that you let your life become stale
Yes, the new business, opening your heart to love, having sprint sex with your partner, adopting that child, relocating to a new city, or writing that book will knock the air out of your lungs. Do you not crave that breathlessness sometimes? Do you not wonder what life could be like if it worked?
You are supposed to feel fear and overwhelm if you are adding anything significant to the life you used to have (you are upsetting the rhythm you have become used to)
Overwhelm is natural as you step into newer environments, take on bigger challenges and take down more giants. Overwhelm is usually an indicator that you are in an unfamiliar territory.
Being overwhelmed is not the problem. However, the reason you are overwhelmed might be a problem.
1️. Expansion: professional pivot, a new relationship, a new team you have just put together etc. All of these have such newness that you do not get into a rhythm quickly.
It feels more chaotic in this expansion than before you attempted it. Why? You had adapted and created a rhythm for the old and this is upsetting that old rhythm.
Give yourself time and learning opportunities and you will be fine. Refuse the urge to return to the previous, smaller version of you when things become chaotic here.
2. Taking on too much: it is okay to do a lot but understand the power of rearranging your plate every time you add something new. When you take on new things, you need a new rhythm and that might mean delegation, pacing and outright rejection of some other things.
3️. An alarm: overwhelm may be an alarm that says you have poured out too much of yourself in such a short time or you have been burning yourself at an intense level for a long time.
How do you detect this third one? Ask yourself if this started after you took up something new or if it has been there for longer than three months. Also, ask yourself if you are taking on too much.
Measure how much responsibility you take and avoid being overwhelmed by downloading this free Messiah Complex Workbook
Perhaps it is time to review the chaos in your life. If everything feels chaotic, it helps to understand the nature of the chaos.
Is this temporary chaos happening because I am upsetting what used to work so I can bring in something new or is this chaos constant in my life?
If it is temporary because you are changing cities, falling in love, trying a new workout routine etc, then it is fine — your life will soon settle into a new routine.
However, if you have been feeling as if there is too much on your plate for more than three/six months or forever, it is time for a review.
- What single thing can I change in my life that will make me feel more centred/stable (it just might be housing or a job)
- What do I do with my time? A review of every hour of your day for two weeks will give you perspective
- What responsibilities am I taking? The free Messiah Complex workbook is a responsibility review tool.
- Am I pacing myself?
You cannot be afraid to upset your present rhythm if it means more growth but you also cannot keep living life in a thunderstorm. Your life should not feel like World War II every day.
Anonymously ask me your questions