It's evident that she's confused, burdened, and has a lot of things going on in her head. Even if she tries to maintain her composure, her eyes give her away. She's overwhelmed. Because of family pressures? Maybe. Is it because of the comparison trap she's dealing with lately? Most likely. Like many of us, this friend of mine is drowning in an ocean of surging emotions triggered by the pandemic, and amplified by our circumstances. 

What shall we do when emotions drown and cripple us into confusion, fear, and doubt? May this list be of help.

Remember that it's OK to ask for help

You don't have to do things alone, to carry your burdens alone. Call someone, ask for help. Don't hesitate to ask for help. It's not a sign of weakness, and for sure some people would appreciate it when they're allowed to help. This is why we have friends. They cheer us up when we're down, and help us with the burdens we carry. We have a choice to not journey through life alone. 

Take a step back, take a break

The solution to overwhelming emotions is not an overload of work. You can't bury your emotions with physical exhaustion. We need to step back and take a breather. Resting gives us a better perspective and a better chance at improving ourselves. We can process more effectively the situation that overwhelms us. Don't underestimate the power of rest.

Take things slowly, one step at a time

Similar to stepping back and taking a break, we need to understand that there is no need to rush things. We can choose to take things slowly, one step at a time. We don't have to compete with everyone around us. Honor your pace, honor your season. The problem with rushing things out is that it leads to premature outcomes. You can't cram everything and expect yourself to be an expert overnight. Take it slow, and make steady progress. 

You don't need to have everything figured out right now

Again, do yourself a favor by not trying to squeeze everything right inside your head, heart, and hands. If people are making strides towards their goal, you don't have to push yourself to catch up. It's OK if there are things you don't know yet. Learn and improve. Focus on your craft. Mastery begins with not knowing at first. You don't need to know everything right away. 

Remember your past victories

You can get through this. Remember that you have been through a lot in the past, and you have come out victorious! You have overcome a lot of challenges and it made you strong. You are more than what you think you can do! Life may be tough, but so are you. And this challenge that you are facing, prepares you for something bigger. Persevere! 

I know how it feels to be overwhelmed with emotions. The unfairness of life seems to be amplified in my face. I had to endure the pain of comparing myself to others, of dealing with self-pity and worthlessness and making sense out of everything. But I always remind myself that my situation doesn't have to define me. It's just a phase. There is more to life than feeling overwhelmed. Cliche this may sound but I believe in the saying that when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade. To which I add, turn it into a lemonade business!

Cheers to you who continue to fight! Keep on fighting for your dreams!

Hi, I am Marts! Aside from read.cash, I also run my blog - martsvalenzuela.com. I plan on growing my readership while learning to improve my craft and journey towards my passion to write and publish books that add value to people.

Carpe Diem!