It has become a common phrase to refer to a person who has an overwhelming amount of things to deal with, as “having a lot on his or her plate”.  I often wonder how these phrases get started.  Of course it is easy to see why this phrase has become so ubiquitous.  We are often overwhelmed by all the things we need to do and be.  It seems to be a part of our culture anymore.  Being overwhelmed has become a way of life for many of us.

Some of this is due to the fact that most of us have so many roles to take on just to survive.  Work issues, family problems, having too many responsibilities of different kinds have made this condition commonplace.  But the most difficult things on one’s plate often have to do with the people we are closest to, and for whom we care deeply.  

For many of us, taking care of our loved ones is the challenge we deal with on a regular basis.  Taking care of children, parents and other family members can sometimes be the source of having a full plate.  Work and all the pressures of deadlines and dealing with people can add to the daily stress which can easily fill one’s plate.

But most of us have some or all of these things on our list of responsibilities.  And if physical or mental health of the person dealing with all these duties are considered, it puts a great deal of added pressure into the mix.  I think that most of us feel like we have too much on our plates at some time or another in our lives.  The only thing I can think of to help this situation is to get help when one needs it. 

If we can remember that we are not the only ones who have to deal with having a full plate, maybe there can be a way of getting the help we need to quell the feeling of being overwhelmed.  If we can find comradery and support from others who are dealing with their own full plate, maybe it could help another person to know that they are not the only one.  And if so, it could help to lighten the burden of carrying a full plate alone.  Finding the courage to seek help when one needs it, is always a good way of finding the support that will make the plate less full.  And that is always a good thing to do.