HOW TO HANDLE FEELING OVERWHELMED AND UNMOTIVATED
It’s so easy to see all that is wrong instead everything that is
going right. This time off work has allowed me to strengthen relationships,
return to my creativity and think outside the box, destress, and honestly examine if my current career is something I really want to
do. I’m learning to trust the process and recognizing these moments of
uncertainty will become clear as I continue on my journey. In the five months
I’ve been out of school, I’ve learned how to better handle my stress by doing a
few things to bring me back to center and get my head out of the clouds.
Before coming to terms with any I had to go through lots of
blogs,podcasts and videos.
1. I allow myself to feel my feelings.
I don’t focus on trying to make myself
feel better. I sit with my feelings, whether positive or negative, and examine
where those feelings come from. Are these feelings rooted in reality, or have I
allowed my imagination to get the best of me? What are realistic, healthy ways
to move myself from a negative to a positive space, in a healthy way, while
still affirming the validity of sadder emotions? I do a lot of this emotional
processing through some mantra,music and journaling.I saw from a movie how mantras help and decided
to try it out and boy it does help a lot.Listening to music has been my all
time therapy and has been working out.I always have lots of feelings at times
mantras and music don’t help out and I opt to journaling. I love to write my
feelings out. Journaling allows me to fully express myself while simultaneously
documenting the moment. I usually journal when I’m feeling especially
frustrated, angry, or sad. Journaling helps me identify my emotions and process
them. I just sit there with my journal and write. Sometimes I write for five
minutes. Sometimes I write for a couple of hours. However long, I don’t stop
until I’m “done.” Journaling helps me chart my progress. I can always look back
to see how far I’ve come or where I’m stagnant.
2. I surround myself with people who support me.
My family and friends are the best. Since being in this weird
space, none of them have ever made me feel low because I’m not working. They
fully support me in my creative endeavors and are glad to see me operate with
some passion. They uplift and affirm me when I’m feeling down, and hey help me
pull myself out of overwhelmed places by reminding me I am accomplished and
capable. I live with my family now(obviously since I haven’t graduated yet), so
it makes it easier to access them. Some of my friends are available through
text and calls. I make sure to connect in any way possible. I also make sure to
be honest with them about my feelings, fears, or issues. In order to be supported
in the way I need, I feel I have to be honest with them about my highs, as well
as my lows. They’ve seen me through everything.
3. I rest.
For many, rest is a radical concept. I
don’t know about you, but I always feel such an internal pressure to be
productive. Honestly, I feel guilty for resting because there is always more to
be done. With so many things unchecked on my to-do list, I feel like I don’t
deserve rest, but I’m learning rest is necessary and well-deserved. When I need
rest, I force myself to take it. I create and enforce a boundary with myself by
declaring the day as a non-work day. I’ve been a student, blogger, content
creator and worked some promotional jobs late at night. I’ve done a lot of hard
work, loved on a lot of people, and I deserve this time just for me. For all
the mental, emotional, and physical labor I have done, I deserve to rejuvenate.
Rest feels foreign, but that in and of itself is problematic.
I take off the pressure of productivity by finally allowing myself
the space and time I need to relax knowing it’s for my good. I’ve forced myself
to be productive when I was burned out and exhausted, and my work suffered
because of it. Resting allows me to take a break, then come back happier,
clearer, and generally more excited. Some days rest looks like being a couch
potato while other days it looks like a fun day out with friends. Rest looks
different for each of us, but as long as you’re rejuvenated afterward that’s
all that matters.
4. I have fun.
Yes, we’re in a pandemic, and “outside”
is sort of closed, but that doesn’t mean life has to be boring. When I’m
feeling overwhelmed, that means I’m off balance. I try to find things that will
bring me some sense of joy. It could be something as simple as potting new
plants, doing some sort of arts and crafts, or dancing to a bomb playlist. This
will be different for each person, but the point is to do something that brings
you joy. Do something that, even if for the moment, shifts the atmosphere and
likely your attitude right along with it. Do something that is not a
chore.
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