Fees

When Life and the World Feel Like Too Much (Photo Credit: Noogee Bridge in Fog by Robert Halley)   There are times when what is happening in our lives—or in the world around us—feels like more than we can hold. Personal challenges, uncertainty, loss, violence, division, and the constant stream of troubling news can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or simply exhausted. We tell ourselves to be strong. To stay positive. To trust that things will get better. But what happens when part of us simply cannot believe those words? Clients often ask me why affirmations don't work—or aren't enough. The problem is that words alone can do little when they contradict what we are actually feeling in the moment. What if the way forward is neither to deny what we feel nor to allow those feelings to consume us?   1. Hold what you are feeling with compassion When we experience difficult emotions or emotional pain, our instinct is often to push them away, distract ourselves, or try to replace them with more positive thoughts or affirmations. But there is another way. Instead of fighting what you feel, try holding it with compassion. Imagine embracing the frightened, angry, or exhausted part of yourself as you would a child who needs comfort. You might simply say, "I see you. I hear you. I care." Or simply pause and breathe. You don't need to fix anything in that moment. Just acknowledge what is there. You can also imagine being supported by the earth, by nature, by people who love you,… Read More