When Everything Feels Like Too Much.

Quicksand. Sinking fast and helplessly. No way to get out—only trust that there is an alternate universe into which you might fall out alive.

When Everything Feels Like Too Much:

That’s what I think of when I’m facing a difficult and challenging time in my life. The more I struggle to escape the present moment, the stronger the grip of pain and fear becomes. It grabs hold of my emotions, destabilizing my mind and making it harder to think clearly. I feel like I’m suffocating, with each breath heavier than the last.

Realising the Power of the Present:

Lately, I’m beginning to see things differently. I’ve realized that sometimes, being strong doesn’t mean fighting harder. It means staying still—just brave enough to pause and notice the moment.

I remind myself: that I am alive. I am breathing. These emotions that feel so overwhelming? They’re just that—emotions. They won’t destroy me.

That doesn’t mean I’ve mastered this. If anything, I’m still learning. But I’ve come to understand that the only way forward is to believe, with all my heart, that I will get through this. It’s like Christine Caine says: “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.”

It’s hard to accept, but I’m learning that the moments when everything feels heavy are often the ones where our roots are growing the deepest. And then one day, light begins to seep through. We breathe easier, and the pain softens.

Sitting With the Pain:

For a long time, I did everything I could to avoid pain. I ran from it, distracted myself, and tried to bury it. But recently, I’ve started letting it come. I’ve begun to sit with it, even when it feels impossible. And eventually, it passes.

But here’s what I’ve learned: It’s okay if we’re not ready right away. Sometimes running feels right. And sometimes, we need time to gather the courage to face the feelings inside us. That doesn’t make us weak. It just means we’re human.

What matters is that, when the time comes, we remind ourselves that we have the strength to face whatever is in front of us. We’re strong enough to walk through the unknown, no matter how scary it feels.

Letting Go of Control:

For years, I tried to control everything in my life—my job, my choices, even my emotions. I thought that if I could just control my external world, I’d finally feel okay.

But it didn’t work.

After university, I jumped headfirst into a corporate job, chasing the “perfect” lifestyle I thought I should want. I ignored my inner voice, convincing myself that I had to follow the blueprint of success everyone else seemed to believe in. It took me a long time to understand why I felt so disconnected. The truth was, I wasn’t aligned with my choices because I wasn’t aligned with myself.

The scariest part of this process has been sitting with my real feelings—facing the fear, confusion, and uncertainty swirling inside me. But I’m learning that I don’t need to respond to these emotions right away. I don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes, it’s enough to just feel.

Finding Balance:

Life is never just joy or just pain. It’s a balance—a constant flow between highs and lows.

I’ve realized we don’t run away from the good moments when we feel on top of the world. So why should we run from the hard ones? I’m learning to give myself the same respect during tough times that I give myself when life feels easy.

Pain is just as necessary as joy. It shapes us, grounds us, and prepares us for what’s next.

A New Perspective:

In moments of pain and fear, it’s easy to feel hopeless. But I’m starting to believe that these experiences aren’t here to break us. They’re here to teach us something about ourselves.

Life doesn’t get easier, but we do get stronger.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to pause. Sit with your emotions, even for just a few minutes. Remind yourself that it’s okay to struggle. You’re not alone. And when you’re ready, you’ll find the strength to move forward.

Because even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way through.