Mentally Paralysed by stress - can anyone relate?

I’m solo parent to one, two large dogs. Done one home move to a temporary short let (everything in boxes) until move to permenant place in few months. Going through legal stuff with father of LO who has never been and no plans to ever be in LO’s life. Legal stuff is going ‘ok’ but it’s taken a pounding on my brain. My well being. We’ve moved twice since she was born (she’s 14 months). And I move a third time towards end of my pregnancy. So that’s three moves in 16 months 😮‍💨 No real supporting family apart from my mother who isn’t that maternal / grand maternal or ‘around’ much. A few friends who live in our old town and will make plans to make more of a mum friend circle once we’re settled in a few months. I guess I don’t need any advice on how to widen my circle to feel better. Or what to do. But maybe coping strategies of anyone else that found how stress just made you possibly so forgettful. Or lack of desire for life. My brain feels pounded by stress. Am lowest weight have ever been even pre baby in my younger days my weight has never been this low. But am making sure I eat. Is it normal for stress to just wipe out your thinking so much you feel mentally paralysed to get endless lists of things you ‘need’ to get done.

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I don’t want to be insensitive at all and don’t take this the wrong way but would it make your life easier without having three dependents is there anyway you could rehome the dogs?

@Cerys I’m considering this, although it breaks my heart. I’m seriously considering this.

I know it’s hard because animals are literally a part of the family 😭 but if it’s going to help you mental health and how you care for your baby I think that’s a priority

Agree to find ways to reduce the burden temporarily, and maybe you can find a temporary stay for the dogs while you wait to move? Could they stay with your mum or friends? You could also call Dogs Trust I think they have a support scheme to help people keep their dogs as there's so much pressure on rescues at the moment. Also, think about things you could ask for more help with - e.g. if your mum is not proactive offering help, tell her you are struggling and ask for help, same with friends. The first and best thing to do is to tell people you're struggling to cope and ask for help. As for the coping strategies - the list if things to get done can be categorised into urgent and important - every day prioritise what's urgent and important and focus on that, the rest can wait another day/week etc. then only keep in your mind what's ahead of you for the day and mentally park everything else telling yourself it's not urgent (even if it's important).

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