How To Get Out Of Survival Mode FAST
Are you trying to figure out how to get out of survival mode? As someone who has experienced living in survival mode and fought my way out to the other side, I know it is not easy.
Living in survival mode is like being stuck in a constant state of emergency, where your every move is a reaction to an external threat. It can be overwhelming and exhausting, leaving you feeling trapped and helpless.
However, the good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode forever. With the right mindset and action plan, you can begin to move forward and break free from the constant stress and anxiety.
In this blog post, we’ll explore an action plan on how to get out of survival mode and regain control of your life.
With the right mindset and action plan, you can begin to move forward and break free from the constant stress and anxiety. This action plan is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it provides a framework that you can customize to your unique circumstances and needs.
The steps outlined in this action plan will require effort and commitment on your part, but the rewards are well worth it. By following these steps, you can start to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, taking control of your life and moving towards a brighter future.
So, let’s dive into the action plan and start taking steps towards getting out of survival mode fast.
Wondering What Survival Mode Is?
When I was living in survival mode, I didn’t actually know that was what I was going through.
All I knew was that life was really, really hard, and I needed to keep going.
What is survival mode? The truth is everyone experiences survival mode differently.
The common feeling is that of being overwhelmed by difficult life circumstances, managing your job, homeschooling your kids, and being unable to get everything done.
Living in survival mode is exhausting both physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why it is essential that once you’ve identified the signs you are in survival mode, you need to take the next step and learn how to get out of survival mode.
Creating An Action Plan To Get Out Of Survival Mode
You can’t just wing it and hope for the best when it comes to getting out of survival mode.
That’s because when you are living in survival mode, there is no real plan or long-term goal. You are focused on getting through the day or difficult situation and making it through to the other side.
Therefore, you need a plan of action to help you get out of survival mode.
How To Get Out Of Survival Mode
When you feel buried or overwhelmed, you need to simplify your life.
Let’s draw an illustration together. Imagine a boat with passengers sailing on the ocean starting to sink.
To stay afloat, the crew may start throwing things overboard to lighten the load, making it easier to bail the water out.
Do they need those things? Probably. But in that moment of sink or sail, those items are just not vital at this time.
The sailors use all their time, energy, and effort trying to keep afloat. It’s exhausting and leaves little to no time for anything else.
Sound familiar? The simple answer is to lighten the load when it comes to getting out of survival mode.
6 Steps To Help You Get Out Of Survival Mode
I’m sharing the action plan I used to help me figure out how to get out of survival mode.
As you go through these steps, start creating your own personalized action plan.
1. Lighten The Load
Just like those frantic sailors, you need to lighten your load.
What can you throw out of YOUR life right now to help you stay afloat?
One of the best ways to figure this out is to take a moment to think about all the things you are doing right now in your day.
You can dig out your homeschool planner or your task list and look over the list. Or create a time log for today.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Simple Daily Planner For Busy Moms: Daily Planner Notebook
Simplified Greenery To Do List Notebook
As you look over the list, ask yourself these questions:
- What is important?
- What is necessary?
- What changes need to take place?
Pull out your journal and jot down the answers to those questions. Getting everything out of your head and on paper will make things less overwhelming.
2. Focus On Your Needs
The next step for learning how to get out of survival mode is to take that list of things and narrow it down to focus on your needs.
Use the questions above and identify what your family needs right now.
When looking at your work, homeschool, and home, evaluate the current circumstances, choose a manageable number of essentials (aim for 1-3), and make them your priority.
Let’s take housekeeping as an example.
Personally, having a Pinterest-worthy home might be wonderful. But in reality, not only does that not suit my lifestyle because we live here but also I don’t have the time, energy, or desire to have a spotless house.
Having a tidy house, on the other hand, is doable.
In order to make this happen, I use a daily cleaning schedule, and I get my family involved. My kids do chores. My husband works all day and helps cook meals.
We work together to get things done because the truth of the matter is I can’t do it alone. I can’t do it all. I need help.
3. Ask For Help
Another step for learning how to get out of survival mode is to ask for help.
Are you in need of practical help? Someone to take the kids to a class or to pick up the dry cleaning?
There is nothing wrong with needing help.
Repeat after me: There is nothing wrong with needing help.
It takes courage to ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you a bad mom, a mom who can’t “hack it” or a mom who isn’t good enough.
Where can you find help?
Start by making a list of people. Begin with those living inside your household (kids, husband, family members, etc.), but don’t forget willing family and friends.
If you don’t have any family or friends living nearby, you may need to hire out or trade-off tasks such as car rides, babysitting, errand running, etc.
One single mom made it her job to help other working moms who are homeschooling. For a fee, she will pick up kids, drop them off at activities, do library runs, pick up groceries, and a whole slew of tasks!
She feeds her family, and the moms she helps can lighten their load. It’s a win-win situation.
And often, people around you are just waiting to be asked. They want to be involved and show that they care. Let them.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and look outside the box for solutions, such as:
- Food subscription boxes like Hello Fresh
- Meal Kit Delivery such as EveryPlate
- Use a cleaning app or using a cleaning service such as Molly Maid
4. Stop Blaming Yourself
I can not tell you how many working moms blame themselves when they are in a tough situation and living in survival mode.
We think, “I’m the mom. I’m supposed to fix it, make it better, and have all the answers.”
Wrong. You are human. It’s normal to have ups and downs and to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
You find yourself living in survival mode when one hit after another keeps coming, and you continue to work and homeschool in the midst of hard times.
You didn’t ask for this situation, and you are doing your best.
Acknowledge that you are in living in survival mode and learning how to get out of survival mode.
5. Practice Self-Care
When I was trying to get out of survival mode, I reflected on how much my life had changed in a short period of time.
As a result, I’d given up many of the ways I used to relax and recharge because I simply didn’t prioritize them. I didn’t realize that dropping a few of my previous self-care habits would jeopardize my mental health.
After all, I was just busy working, homeschooling, and taking care of my family.
Survival mode involves all of you. It can be physical, emotional, and mental.
Remember the sailors in the boat throwing things overboard and bailing out water? Nothing will change if they don’t take the time to find the leaks, repair the cracks, and fill the holes.
I can not stress this enough. We need to take time to take care of ourselves. Whatever recharges you, you need to do that. These activities help you cope with stress.
When you stop looking after yourself, you jeopardize your mental and physical health.
Self-Care for Moms: 150+ Real Ways to Care for Yourself While Caring for Everyone ElseThe 5-Minute Self-Care Journal for Women: Prompts, Practices, and Affirmations to Prioritize You
Assess your current habits by asking these questions:
- How am I currently taking care of myself?
- How am I fueling my body? Am I eating enough healthy food, or am I living on fast food?
- When was the last time I exercised?
- When can I find 5 minutes to recharge?
- What hobby have I removed from my life? And how can I get it back?
Use these answers to put yourself back on the list. It is key to getting out of survival mode.
Download the Survival Mode Worksheet:
Sign up for the worksheet below to help you journal out those questions, figure out how to get out of survival mode, and start taking care of yourself today.
6. Plug Into Your Support System
Survival mode often involves some form of disconnection from family, friends, and our support system.
Remember, one sign you are in survival mode is pushing friends away because you are so focused on making it through.
Learning how to get out of survival mode includes filling our well. Filling your well includes self-care AND connecting with others.
Take time to have fun again by planning fun activities with your kids, date nights with your spouse, coffee dates with friends, or getting involved by volunteering in your community.
Pull out your planner and block time off each week to spend time with others.
Working Mom In Survival Mode, You Will Get Out
Be encouraged: this stage of your life that you are facing is not going to last forever. With time, effort, and a few practical steps, you’ll be out of survival mode in no time.
In the meantime, remember when you ask these questions, simplify your life, get help, lighten the load, and focus on the needs, the result is that you allow yourself and your family time to adjust to the new changes.
Maybe it isn’t fun right now. But someday, it will be.
Remember: surviving survival mode isn’t going to happen on its own. You need tips for surviving survival mode that are designed for working homeschool moms.
But with these steps, hard work, and time you will find survival mode is a distant memory.
The next best step is to create a Get Out of Survival Mode Checklist!
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
