How well do you handle stress and overwhelm?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  When you are overwhelmed, stressed out, or upset what is your typical response (before there’s time to process)?

  • A.
    I feel helpless. There will probably be tears or a meltdown. I can’t control my emotions.
  • B.
    I avoid. I hide in my room and sulk like I’m sixteen.
  • C.
    I let out a big sigh, (“UGGHHH!”) and try to face what’s in front of me, even if I don’t know how.
  • D.
    I take a deep breath, choose my response/reaction and make a plan of action.
• 2.
  If your soul had a soundtrack, the song on repeat would be:

  • A.
    Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake
  • B.
    Break my Stride by Matthew Wilder
  • C.
    Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
  • D.
    Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
• 3.
  What do you do to cope with anxiety or stressful situations?

  • A.
    Binge watch Netflix or scroll the ‘Gram until my phone falls on my face.
  • B.
    Head to the kitchen. Ice cream or a glass of wine always helps.
  • C.
    I try to process, but in doing so I end up creating new things to be anxious about.
  • D.
    I move my body, pray, meditate, ask for help.
• 4.
  How do you feel about change? (What is your relationship with change?)

  • A.
    Change? It terrifies me. I want everything and everyone to stay the same.
  • B.
    It’s part of life; it is what it is.
  • C.
    I have a complicated relationship with change, but I’m trying to roll with it.
  • D.
    Change isn’t always my choice, but I look for the choices I do have and find ways to be the architect of my life.
• 5.
  When facing a private battle (whether your own or someone you love’s) I:

  • A.
    Don’t speak to a soul. Hello, it’s private!
  • B.
    I know I’ve got secrets. I’ve been keeping them so long, I feel like I’m living a double life.
  • C.
    I notice how therapy has been helping my friend. I might consider help from a professional. Confidentiality!
  • D.
    I have community, which includes trusted people, I can share my burdens with.
• 6.
  How do you manage (feel) on a typical day?

  • A.
    I don’t, I feel powerless and helpless.
  • B.
    I know what I need to do, but I procrastinate.
  • C.
    I do what I have to do. I take care of my responsibilities.
  • D.
    Even on difficult days, I realize that everything is a choice, including my attitude.
• 7.
  What is your tidy-up style when it comes to your home?

  • A.
    Between you and me, my mom says I might be a good candidate for the Hoarders show. I save everything. You never know when you might need it.
  • B.
    So what if I shove things in the oven or under the bed when people come over? Out of sight of out of mind.
  • C.
    I’m a decluttering junkie. If I don’t use it, I don’t keep it.
  • D.
    I tidy-up as I go. I sort, store, and let go as needed.
• 8.
  When circumstances feel out of control and life feels like a mystery what do you do:

  • A.
    Hide out or numb out until I think the scary bit is over.
  • B.
    I try to control what I can (deep clean the house, throw myself into my work, exercise a lot) or I channel my inner Miss Marple (I’ll do whatever it takes to find answers or some sort of closure).
  • C.
    Like any good detective I notice what others seem to miss. I pay attention to the clues that are there to teach me something about myself.
  • D.
    I’ve learned to surrender to the mystery and take one day at a time.
• 9.
  If you’re overwhelmed to the point of needing help how do you proceed?

  • A.
    Cowboy up and try harder. I don’t want to be a bother to anyone; after all, it’s my problem.
  • B.
    I need help, but I don’t have the resources to afford help or the energy to return the favor.
  • C.
    Pray. I ask God to strengthen me.
  • D.
    Ask for help. I call a friend, counselor, babysitter, family member, etc.
• 10.
  Which statement rings most true for you right now?

  • A.
    I believe peace and joy are possible. They’re just out of reach, on the other side of my clutter, pain, and hardship.
  • B.
    I’m just trying to survive the day. I’m not sure I have what it takes to sort through my mental and emotional clutter.
  • C.
    I’m putting in the work to grow and change, but it seems like I’m going in circles.
  • D.
    I still have setbacks, but I’m participating in my life. I’m facing difficult things and taking action to pursue peace. I’m experiencing joy in the middle of the mess.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  UNAWARE of Your Soul Clutter: You don’t manage stress, it manages you.

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  No doubt about it—you are overwhelmed! And, likely, exhausted. Your inner home is crowded, cluttered, and chaotic. Perhaps this awareness makes you feel seen—living with chronic stress and overwhelm can feel very lonely. Maybe it makes you feel even more overwhelmed because you’re taking a good look at what you’ve been working so hard to avoid. Don’t be discouraged. Among the mountain of clutter, tucked between the tight places is an unlimited supply of hope. You’re next step is to take inventory and access what you need to clear out. Observing is elemental and important because paying attention precedes change. There is room for you to experience peace and joy today—not matter what you are going through!
• 2.
  AWARE of your Soul Clutter: You see what needs to change, you just don’t know how.

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  You’re no stranger to your inner life. You are observant. You know what is going on in you and around you. Chances are, you’re observing and feeling overwhelmed with what you are uncovering. Maybe you’re beginning to wonder if it’s easier to be blissfully ignorant? Hiding your head in the sand is never the answer! Good News: Once you begin paying attention, you’ve already initiated the process of change. Way to go! Your next step is a two-step (don’t worry, no country dancing here). First, take your observing skills to the next level and look at your clutter in detail. Second, it’s time to begin owning what you uncover. Owning is the exact opposite of sticking your head in the sand. Instead, it’s like raising your hand and saying, “Yes, that’s mine. The emotional pain. The chronic stress. The anxiety. The unforgiveness. It’s mine. I own it. And I’m ready to do something with it.” Way to go. You are well on your way to creating the space that your soul was created for.
• 3.
  GROWING amidst your Soul Clutter: You might not be a pro at clearing out the clutter, but you’re making progress.

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  There you GROW! It’s clear that you are no stranger to growth. Creating a healthy internal environment (mentally, emotionally and spiritually) is important to you. You’re doing the work to observe your clutter and own it. It’s likely that you experience good days and bad days, days of growth and days of setbacks, and sometimes it feels like you are going in circles. Some days you feel exhilarated with the momentum you are making and other days you can sink to despair over the familiar obstacles that keep trying to crowd you soul. Be encouraged! Growth is not linear. It’s up and down and it can also be circular. Celebrate the progress you’ve made and your commitment to continue. Your next step is to continue on. Keep circling around, on the days where you feel like you’re getting nowhere. Keep observing, keep owning, keep overcoming! Notice the space you feel in your soul—pay attention to the new ways you have been experiencing peace and joy and remember they are available to you in your everyday life.
• 4.
  HEALTHY in your inner home: When stress and the clutter of life show up, you know how to clear it out before it overwhelms you.

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  High-five! You are a person who has taken time to observe their clutter. You’ve not only faced your soul clutter, you’ve owned it. Even if the clutter didn’t originate with you, even if someone dumped it at your place, you’ve taken the time and initiative to sort through it and clear it out from your inner home. In doing so you’re overcoming. The health of your soul—of your inner life—is important to you and it’s clear you are committed to living well mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You utilize helpful tools to cope in healthy ways and you practice responding rather than reacting. You are an overcomer! You’re next step is to carry on—and—celebrate! You were made for peace and joy!