E Notes

I recently received this note from a bride-to-be:

“I am getting married in 5 weeks, and it’s just busy and I have a lot on my “plate”–some stuff I can’t control and some I can control.  I get stressed easily and uptight. I don’t want every change, road block, or honestly my stubbornness to get in the way of the joy and abundant life God has for me and my future husband. I want to break free of this. I am a very organized and sometimes controlling person so when I get impatient or my plans are thrown for a loop I get stressed and in a bad mood sometimes.

I feel like there is no time for everything I want to get done in one day! It’s frustrating.”

She’s not alone! This is a situation that plagues many brides-to-be or any one approaching a major emotionally involved event or project.

Here’s my advice:

1. Recognize that this is a stressful time of life. You not only have a ton to do with
preparing for the wedding but also are going through the grieving process of leaving your
your old life of singleness and starting a new season. It’s natural to feel sad/be more
sensitive.

2. Realize that you aren’t going to be able to do everything you want to do. As you plan the weeks before your wedding, ask yourself two questions:
-Is this an essential or optional wedding activity?
-Is this something that needs to be done before the wedding or can it wait?

Then focus on the essential activities that must be done before the wedding. If you get
any of the optional or “could wait” items done, great but don’t put pressure on yourself
to make them happen.

3. I understand the feeling of getting stressed or impatient when things don’t go as planned. I wrote a blog post on dealing with this topic: http://tinyurl.com/lhf3n3 Also,
I’ve found it helps enormously when I start my day asking God what He wants me to
accomplish and praying throughout the day that I will focus on loving God and loving
people instead of just “getting things done.”

Hope this helps all brides-to-be to take a deep breath and enjoy this beautiful season!

Take care,

Elizabeth

If you want to end your feelings of overwhelm and frustration and step into the future with confidence, check out www.ScheduleMakeover.com or contact me at esaunders@RealLifeE.com I can develop an ideal schedule for you that helps you get through stressful times.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach and trainer who empowers women in business to achieve work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance.

Some Other Bride To Be Resources:

Dresses, Food, Invitations, Etc. on Brides.com

Good Advice Bridal Shower

Becoming We on DivineCaroline.com