When Life Feels Like Too Much: A Journey of Rest, Resilience, and Self-Care
If I’m being honest, I’ve sat down to write at least 100 times in the past few weeks, but every time, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Part of me wants to blog, but I also don’t want it to feel like another item on my to-do list. Life has been chaotic, and I’ve been trying to really listen to how I’m feeling.
At this point, I can admit that I’m struggling. A lot. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially—everything feels overwhelming. And despite having so much I want to say, I just couldn’t find the energy to put words to it. My one-year “stoke-versary” came and went without me posting anything, and that felt pretty telling. I didn’t even have the strength to celebrate something important to me, and that’s a sign.
I’ve been feeling burnt out. I’m worried about everything, even if I don’t always admit it. I’m not taking care of myself, and that’s not helping. In fact, I’m finding it harder and harder to stay afloat. Most days, I just want to crawl into bed, cry, and get lost in the endless cycle of news and social media—but I know that’s not good for me.
So why am I writing this now? Because I know I’m not the only one feeling this way. And if you’re reading this and nodding along, know this: You are not alone. We all have times when life gets overwhelming, and it’s okay to admit that.
A friend of mine said something a few months ago that really stuck with me. She said, “I don’t know how people who watch the news get out of bed every day.” (I just realized I mentioned this quote in my last post too!) And honestly, I get it. Between my family, my health, work, and just the weight of everything happening in the world, I’ve found it hard to keep going some days.
But here’s the thing: I can’t stay stuck in this cycle of worry. Starting tomorrow, I’m taking a break from news and social media. If the world is about to end or if we’re in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, someone please let me know. Otherwise, I’m tuning out. It’s time for a little peace of mind.
How will I keep going when it feels like I can’t? Because I am strong. I am resilient. I am focused. And if I need to remind myself of that every day, I will.
This weekend, I’m going away on a retreat to focus on restoring my energy. The retreat centers around a concept in Ayurveda called “Ojas” (pronounced oh-jus), which is described as the vital sap that gives us resilience, creativity, and vitality. Ojas is abundant when we’re young, but as we age and experience stress, it depletes, leaving us vulnerable to fatigue, weakened immunity, and burnout. This retreat is all about restoring that energy, managing stress, and recharging our minds and bodies.
And, of course, I almost canceled. But my friend urged me to go, saying, “Don’t you think you might need this?” And she’s right. I need this. I’ve realized that it might be divine timing—the universe has a way of sending us exactly what we need when we need it most. So, no matter what, I’m going. I’m going to return rested, restored, and ready to figure out how to keep moving forward.
Even though spring is here, I’m still in my “hibernation mode,” and that’s okay. We don’t have to be in constant motion just because the seasons change. Sometimes, we need to give ourselves permission to pause, to rest, and to heal.
If you’re feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, I see you. I’m with you. And I promise, it’s okay to take a step back, to breathe, and to let yourself rest. You’ll come back stronger, and you’re not alone in this.
