How do you handle emotional overwhelm?
Some mornings I wake up already feeling like I’m drowning in thoughts. Today was like that. I didn’t even want to get out of bed. My chest felt tight, and everything on my to-do list just looked impossible. I got in the shower and stood there longer than usual, letting the water hit my face, hoping it would wash something away. It didn’t, really. But it gave me a minute to just stand still. I didn’t try to fix everything. I just made a cup of coffee, opened a window for some fresh air, and reminded myself to focus on only the next thing. Not everything. Just the next thing. Sometimes I journal, sometimes I cry, sometimes I walk. Today, I just sat quietly and let it pass through me instead of fighting it. And that was enough.
how do i handle emotional overwhelm? i don't, not really. most of the time i just freeze. like today, my phone buzzed with three messages at once, my mom called, and i had a work deadline staring at me. i sat there, just staring back at the screen, feeling like my chest was too small for all the pressure inside it. sometimes i take a shower. not because i'm dirty but because it's the only place no one expects anything from me. i just stand there and let the water hit my face and pretend i’m disappearing for a bit. i used to journal more. like physically write with a pen, let the mess out onto paper. but lately even that feels too loud. i open the notebook and just stare at the lines like they’re judging me for not having it together. i think the only time i really handle anything is when i let myself cry without trying to stop it. i did that last night. just let it come. no explanations. no reasons. just feelings being what they are. and then i cleaned the kitchen. which sounds dumb, but i guess putting things in order outside helps me feel a little less messy inside.
