How can I achieve my goals in the time frame I set on if I have too much to juggle all at once?

Hi Minnie -

Thank you for taking the time to reach out for help, guidance and perspective. You sound like you are tenacious and determined and those are admirable strengths. From all that you describe, I can only imagine that you appear to be struggling with competing interests hitting you all at once. You have college deadlines, clinical work that is taxing you, and a desire to have more autonomy from living with your parents. You imagine your own residence where you can create the serenity for the peace that you crave! It appears you feel uncertain, and can't figure out if your boyfriend is partnering with you in this process. So, yes, this is a lot to unpack.  It's difficult to prioritize especially in the absence of lacking clarity. You are left feeling very anxious and unsure about precisely how to juggle all of these multiple demands. This is all understandable.  

 First, as you are still in college, I am wondering if you are still connected to an Academic Professor who is overseeing your work with the children?   It could be that you are not matched with the population that is best suited for you at this time in your life.   Related, do you have a clinical supervisor at the job site to assist you with your concerns?  Secondly,  are you able to present your cases with the children in a group/clinical supervision setting for support.  I would encourage you to do so if you haven't already.  One-on-one clinical supervision is a very good resource.   I am concerned that you are at risk for Compassion Fatigue, and/or burnout.    It also sounds like you are juggling a lot, while feeling fundamentally alone.  Hence, your drives in the car to reflect and figure out what you need to do, but you seem to venture to places that cause you to feel unsafe.   I am wondering about your support system?  

Next, I am concerned about your self care at this particular time. Do you have a regime for your own self care? I ask because it also sounds as though you are having bouts of routine anxiety.  In this instance, I would recommend that you consult with your medical doctor to rule out that something else isn't also going on, and to determine if you would benefit by medication support. Of course, a good therapist specializing in anxiety would be an added recommendation. I would love to see you have three positive things that will be your "go to" when you start to feel the onset of anxiety.  

You absolutely appear to benefit by having a professional to help you talk out all that you all juggling. I understand that you have set specific timeframes and deadlines for all that you want to accomplish. It might be useful to have someone, such as a therapist, to sit with you and help you to prioritize your goals, and to make sure that you are not operating in so much overwhelm, that your intention becomes counterproductive, and just frustrating! Therapy could also benefit you by finding ways to maximize the communication between you and your boyfriend. 

Thank you, Minnie