Address Your Overwhelm – See What’s Holding You Back, Then Start Living LIFE!
Although Christmas may now seem like a distant memory for many as we swiftly move on through January and into February, many of us here in the Southern Hemisphere are fortunate enough to either still be on our summer break or just gently easing ourselves back into work and routine. With that being said, and this being my first post for the year, I’d like to say that my wish is that you all have had a safe and happy Christmas with loved ones, as I did, and I welcome you into a fresh New Year full of promise – may you choose to see all of the opportunities and blessings that surround you!
As life would have it, 2018 had a way of keeping me very busy and in one way or another at times distracting me from my purpose. Although much had been planned not all plans came to pass for the year, but this is not to say that they won’t become fruitful in 2019 as it will be realised they were just delayed, becoming even more meaningful and greater in bearing their fruit.
With great intentions we can all have the best laid plans, but we should also be mindful of, and accepting of, outside influences throwing us curve balls, possibly sending our plans and visions slightly off course. Boy, and sometimes those balls can have a pretty mean curve, don’t you think?
I have taken my own advice, understanding that everything happens for a reason and accepting that what is – IS! I can’t change what’s been but I can certainly take charge and re-focus, adapting if and where necessary and accepting and dealing with the temporary loss of direction etc., as I move forward.
Attempting to regain focus and direction can be a challenge for those who experience overwhelm and feelings of melancholy.
Christmas and the New Year can be extremely challenging due to the emphasis on extra work loads leading up to the festive season, sending our world into chaos as we attempt to find time to – “Get It All Done”. Unfortunately overwhelm is also experienced for many others who do have the time but not the resources or source of income to live a sustainable healthy (psychologically/emotionally) life. All too many can be so overwhelmed and challenged – disabling them to see past their struggles for a promising future – Can you relate?
Post Christmas many have concerns of the additional spending and over extending of credit cards to deal with, wondering how it will all fall back into line, if at all! I suppose there can be many reasons to which we may fall into a heap, feel overwhelmed, lose faith in, and sight of, our hopes, dreams and direction, to the point that if we’re not mindful of our reasons and thoughts we may find ourselves falling deeper into a depressive state.
Overwhelm can also sneak up on us when we choose to live a life of wanting, or possibly “needing”, to please others, leaving no time or appreciation for our own needs.
Pleasing others without giving a moment of thought for our own wellbeing can be extremely damaging to our physical and mental health, our self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. There needs to be balance as staying true to ourselves will bring great reward and freedom. Without balance we will be kept chained to a life of exhaustion, depleated levels of energy and of course, regret and possibly illness as we have not allowed ourselves to live a life of truth, or to achieve the steps towards our full potential and happiness.
A new year is a great opportunity to take stock and re-evaluate our life, assess what’s working and what’s not working – in every area; our relationships, our career, our business/finances, our lifestyle, our health, our habits and of course our dreams and desires.
Others may choose to not support us in our choices for change due to their own fears and/or ignorance, or even possibly because we will no longer fulfil “their” needs.
We mustn’t be surprised that if we want to fulfil our goals and visions, that not everyone will support and/or follow us. Some may choose to remain at a level of existence that keeps them comfortable, but not necessarily happy, most likely due to their own fears. Some may not support us as they can’t relate to our values or reasoning. Remember, no-one can fully understand our visions for a better life, as that is exactly what they are, OUR VERY OWN “PERSONAL” VISIONS, so therefore we must be prepared to experience some possible turbulence, challenging times and emotional exchanges that may come along with the journey.
New friendships that will support us in mutual interests will enter and enhance our lives and those who are challenged to support us may fade from our life experiences temporarily, or maybe forever, and although sometimes it may feel a little daunting, frightening and/or even sad, realise that this is OK, it’s all part of the Universes Plan in preparing us for our journey, for a Greater Life, a life that we do so Deserve!
Many may believe that it’s easier said than done to carry on, to get back on track, to find a way of resolve, but believe me IT IS possible!
Although there are so many instances of people sharing their stories of inspiration (online – live events – books etc.) who have come from places that you couldn’t comprehend, having lived far worse lives possibly than that of our very own and having got through their darkest moments (whatever form that may be or have taken), there are still many others choosing to believe that “no-one” could ever understand their personal existence, as their story is the only true story to them, and fair enough – to a point! But unfortunately they fail to make progress in their life due to fear.
It’s so easy to fall into a state of depression when we believe we don’t deserve any better than the life we appear to be living. Life can seem so unfair when we don’t feel worthy!
Not feeling deserving or worthy are extremely powerful feelings, they can totally run and rule our life if we “allow” them too. I say “allow” as it all comes from a place of choice – now this may be a challenging pill to swallow, but there’s so much evidence to support this realisation.
We carry around with us, within our subconscious, our past experiences, good and many not so ideal, even tragic. Our subconscious records all of our experiences throughout life.
Our thoughts on any given experience and day are filed away into our mind whether we consciously remember them or not, but it is the “feeling” that goes along with that thought that brings forth our life’s journey, our “perceived reality”. Our feelings carry energy, negative and positive, high, medium and low frequencies. When we finally realise and understand this we may choose to consider our options on how best to nurture our Spirit (energy), Body and Mind.
Until we choose to awaken and learn from our earthly existence, what and who has made us who we are today, our lives will continue along the same path or possibly even falter to greater depths of despair.
As they say, it’s not so much what happens to us that determines our journey’s destiny, but rather how we’ve choosen to deal with it!
No-one on this earth, even those who have gone before us have ever lived without challenges, tragedy or sorrow. Even those who have yet to arrive “WILL” undoubtedly and naturally experience circumstances resulting in feelings that need to be addressed and awakened to, for how else do we Learn, Grow, Live and Love!
So remember, should you be experiencing overwhelm, depression, ill-of-ease (dis-ease), pain of sorts (psychological, emotional or physical), you could find that much of your past and how you’ve chosen (subconsciously and/or consciously) to deal with it is more than likely the cause. Once understanding and choosing to seek help, be it independently or otherwise, you may find yourself living a completely different existence, actually, you may start to “LIVE” like you’ve never lived before – FREE and full of JOY!
Life and living is a process, a daily education of which we all get schooled on some level – without exception!
Understand that it is possible, although not necessarily easy, to learn to accept our challenges with love, resolving and removing any blocks that will then allow us to move forward so to experience true happiness.
Of course there is so much to learn and understand regarding our feelings of overwhelm, as it can come from a much deeper place than what we may first realise or even choose to acknowledge.
As mentioned earlier, overwhelm can creep up on us slowly and in the process we can start to lose touch with others and socially shut down. These are sure signs to be aware of as we notice the void of joy and blissful peace in our world.
Feeling like no-one close to us cares may not necessarily be true, although it may certainly feel that way.
In this busy, sometimes frantic, caotic and disillussioned world, we can get caught up in our own misgivings, our own misery and our own pain, and at times having a tendency to forget that others may also be fighting their own battles too.
Many peoples’ focus can be consumed with their own troubles, also having “expectations” of others acknowledging them constantly, and in doing so may be less mindful of the concerns and circumstances of those around them. On the other end of the spectrum there are many who sit in silence, keeping themselves to themselves saying nothing of their troubles, preferring to lesson the burden of others.
Either way, neither senarios are ideal or healthy for anyone let alone for ourselves, as they are void of self care, self nurturing and self love and self respect.
You see, for the many who can’t or rather don’t Nurture their own Spirit (Energy), Soul, Body and Mind with Love, Time, Understanding, COMPASSION, they can’t totally be there freely providing the Energy, Empathy, Compassion, Love and Respect to others.
When searching for help and support we must be open to realising that much of what we want “need” can come from within. Now don’t get me wrong, we all need friendship and support, and a little guidance from time to time, but when we’re either searching for validation, love, further guidance etc. etc., learn to be open and understand for what we are truly searching for does reside within us.
What we receive from others can be temporary, but what we seek and find from within ourselves can be nothing short of AMAZING and EVERLASTING, far more than what another Being can provide us.
* TIP – SHOULD YOU BE FEELING OVERWHELMED, IN DESPAIR, DEPRESSED, KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE TODAY AND HAVE PULLED THROUGH AND SURVIVED – MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO HELP OTHERS, JUST LIKE YOURSELF, AS THEY KNOW EXACTLY HOW IT FEELS. SEEK THEM OUT SO YOU CAN BRING FORTH YOUR TRUE AND UNIQUE SELF, AND DO MORE THAN JUST SURVIVE – START LIVING!!!!
Following are some links and ideas as to where you can find some help and guidance, but before you do decide to reach out to others, ask yourself –
AM I GENUINELY “READY” FOR HELP? Or
AM I SEEKING VALIDATION FOR MY VICTIMHOOD?
You see, there will be a MASSIVE difference in the outcome.
One question will support you on your journey towards your life’s purpose and joy,
The other will only keep you where you are today (in possible denial) and with many more unfavourable hard lessons to learn.
BEYOND BLUE http://www.beyondblue.org.au
SALVATION ARMY http://www.salvationarmy.org.au
CONFIDENTIAL WELLBEING GROUPS, Online and in your area
SPIRITUAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH SITES
PLEASE NOTE: Seek help and advice responsibly and carefully. Always use due diligence when checking for reputable online and community services.
May your Focus, Vision, Passion and Nurturing Action bring forth all your Desires and Dreams for 2019, and with many more Blessings as you do so Deserve.

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash
Follow me on social media where the topic of Overwhelm will continue Jan/Feb
http://www.facebook.com/NurturingMeNaturally
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