“I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?”

“I think you can in Europe.” *.

Ah, I am overwhelmed. For a multitude of reasons. Trying to settle in to life here in Chiang Mai. Trying to adjust to life without work, to not be needed. Trying to get kick started with an online course I am taking. Trying to write the best posts ever and never being happy with the finished product. Trying to read, read, read so that I absorb all of the books I set out to read whilst on this finite sabbatical from work. Trying to float ideas I have for a new business. Trying to follow-up with all the people I am scheduled to connect with or have been lax in connecting with, and feeling guilty about it. Trying to sit down for more time to crank out the next great Australian/American novel. Trying to get to yoga class, and not ever making it there. I’m trying to do it all, 110%, but feel like I’m not doing enough nor getting anywhere. And that I ought to be doing more.

If you were to see me right now, I’d closely resemble a pretzel. But with cheese. And polka dot PJs.

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Are you feeling overwhelmed, too?

It’s time to cut myself some slack. I need to take a breath and be more mindful of quieting the unhelpful, negative self-talk.

So in light of feeling off-balance, I wish to speak positively and share the love. Here’s three people whose words I have dug this week. It’s not rocket science, but sometimes turning the focus elsewhere and appreciating the contributions of others is a much better use of my time than navel-gazing.

No. 1: Alex Franzen

Alex Franzen has kick-arse advice, and is just one of those people who seems really authentic. The type of person I’d say g’day to if I ran into her in the supermarket. But I doubt that would actually happen, unless I found myself in Minnesota.

A goal of mine for 2013 is to attend one of her writing workshops or schedule a one-on-one session with her. Plus, I love just staring at her website. We’re totally on the same level, design wise.

One of my favourite posts is this one. You can also follow her on Twitter: @Alex_Franzen.

No.2: Liv Hambrett

I met the (usually) German-based Liv Hambrett recently when I was passing through Sydney, and the woman is slaying dragons left, right and centre! She recently relaunched her all-in-one blog and portfolio at LivHambrett.com, and is currently living it up on a cultural exploration of all things Australia with the Significant German. With plenty of wine and cheese.

Today, she had one of her articles named by The Daily Life as one of the best in 2012. In this list, she stands beside other amazing writers such as Clementine Ford, Julia Baird and Clem Bastow. Take note, everyone. This woman is going places!

Follow her on Twitter: @LivWrites.

No. 3: Amber Gregory

Amber Gregory is one half of Amber And Scott. I stumbled upon her blog via a Radvent post she recently published, and I really enjoyed poking around her site, and reading about her life. They have just recently lost one of their beautiful cats, Jeffy, and reading how much-loved he was and how he was such a big part of their life was beautiful. That’s one of the reasons I love blogging: I love finding people who share my interests and outlook on life. I love hearing their stories and empathising, relating to them. We’re all in this together.

Follow her on Twitter: @Cardassianv0le.

*A sneaky quote from one of the greatest teen movies of all time, 1999’s ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’.