Life has a way of demanding a lot from us even when we have given what we think is enough. Society – with its hustle culture, fast-paced trends and instant gratification – can come at us forcefully, causing us to frequently experience feelings of overwhelm. Being overwhelmed may look like:
- Overreacting in certain situations
- Constantly procrastinating
- Constantly trying to multi-tasking
- Constantly feeling tired
- Having difficulty sleeping
- No longer finding what was fun for you entertaining
- Feeling out of control
When we experience these and other similar symptoms, we can lose sight of motivators, goals and even aspects of ourselves.
Being able to identify what situations or interactions contribute to overwhelming moments are crucial for recovery. By identifying the triggers, you can address them as best and as quickly as possible. Managing triggers of overwhelm may mean removing yourself from the source – be it a conversation, a task or a relationship- in order to caution against more negative emotions. In other cases, managing triggers could look like taking adequate breaks where needed as well as delegating tasks, allowing you the time to focus on what’s a priority.
Identifying the issues and dealing with them can be very helpful and relieving, but what if you need to do more than address the triggers to help you work through the overwhelm? What about methods that can help you directly? In these instances, showing up for yourself can be the refresher you need to get through the rough periods.
Showing up for yourself speaks to the things you do to give yourself extra self-love. It is how you honour yourself in difficult moments and how well you celebrate you. Showing up for yourself can be a beautiful reminder that you are capable, worthy and doing the best you can with what you have. It can motivate you and help you get through rough patches stronger and better than before.
So, what are some ways you can show up for yourself? Consider these:
- Change the Pace: Sometimes, stepping out of the box and doing something off script can inspire you and allow you to ‘reset’. If you are a homebody, this may mean going on an adventure. If you have had a curiosity about trying something creative, it may be the time to give it a go! Whatever ‘out-of-the-box’ looks like to you, try it. New things often bring fresh perspectives and a revived passion for life. Who knows, this may become a valuable part of your life going forward.
- Boost Your Confidence: Being overwhelmed can directly affect your confidence, even with the things you are well versed in. The effects of overwhelm on your confidence can be devastating and in those moments, have you questioning your worth. So, how do you combat that? By indulging in something that boosts your confidence. This can be repeating affirmations, dressing up, taking beautiful photos, changing your hair, blasting your boss playlist and so much more. Whatever it is that helps you feel more confident and rejuvenated, go for that, As often as needed.
- Respect Your Own Boundaries: This is a major way to show up for yourself in a way that honours you; respecting your own boundaries. You set the standard for how you are treated and if you can’t respect your own boundaries, no-one else will. Stand by your decisions even if you feel nervous or, worse, when another person is attempting to override them. This can help you retain some control over your environment and personal space.
- Ask for help: Asking for help is an underrated way of showing up for you. We aren’t superhuman so the notion that ‘we can do it all’ can be very misleading, even causing us to feel inadequate when we cannot, in fact, successfully do it all. There is no shame in asking for help. By doing so, you give yourself time and space to breathe and recuperate.
- Take care of your physical health: Taking care of your body influences the health of your mind. Physical care also plays a big part in proper mental wellness. Exercising, getting a massage, eating properly (and on time) and ensuring you get adequate rest are all ways of securing your physical wellbeing and showing up for you. In moments of overwhelm, our health can be left behind so, by making your physical wellbeing a priority you can further bolster yourself against the debilitating effects of overwhelm.
- Affirm and Reaffirm: Speaking positively over yourself and reminding yourself of good things can help to subdue the intensity of overwhelm. In cases where you are unable to do this for yourself, having trusted voices around you can make a world of a difference. Strong reminders of your capabilities and worth can help you to refocus and push past negative emotions that could otherwise keep you stuck in a rut. Pairing affirmations with any other item on this list is a double whammy for dealing with overwhelming moments.
Whatever options you choose to help you work through overwhelm and show up for you, keep in mind that these emotional experiences won’t last forever and good times will come again. So! What are you considering to do the next time you feel overwhelmed? Share it with us!
Paula-Kaye Murphy is a young woman who understands what it means to struggle with one’s mental health with no help. As a result of this, she has dedicated herself to encouraging and educating persons on mental health as well as advocating for those struggling with mental illness. Her work can be found at thestilledsoul.wordpress.com where she focuses on topics of Mental Health and Faith.