Bestie, are you ok?

How are you today? Everything’s good? I hope you are good, well and happy, physically, and mentally! Hey, it’s a new year, so new year, new you right?

Have you ever felt a sudden churning feeling in your stomach, or feeling lightheaded, some prickling of pins and needles? Okay, what about feeling restless, or unable to sit still, or unable to focus and think straight? Or, or maybe having some headaches, migraines, and a faster breathing or thumping, or maybe having cold sweats? Have you ever checked your smartwatch if there’s any changes in your normal and resting heart rate? Did you also not enjoying your usual ‘things’ anymore? Feeling of not wanting to wake up from your sleep, not wanting to even shower or eat, or even talking to people? And worse, faking that you are sick?

I’m not sure about you, and I hope you don’t have those because I’m sure I’ve experienced those previously! It’s a feeling that I can’t describe. Feeling restless, wandering mind, thinking of the “what ifs”, not sure of the solution to my, maybe, problems. Fear of the unknown. Basically, I am clueless of my own state of mind and self. At first, I thought maybe it was just me overwhelming with loads of works and back-to-back assignments, but apparently, they were not! I start referring to Doctor Google (well, we all have!) and wow… I think I have some tremendous stress level that almost or had already led me into anxiety – though I am not sure at which level I was! Well at least that was what I felt. How do I push myself to stop thinking about the things that I can’t control? I simply can’t! Yes, me alone would not work. Luckily, I have my best friend forever (BFF) and my family. I literally found out that talking and letting go does wonders. I basically can’t control my environment, or people’s action and thoughts. So, I try controlling what I can, which are my own thoughts. It took me few weeks too, to start realizing that keeping it all alone will just sink me down. Hence, I talk to them – BFF, and let some of the bothering things out. I share. I try enjoying things again and change the bad “what ifs” to a better, positive ones. I removed myself from the system. Put aside crying because girl, that was a lot! Mind if I share things that might be useful to you? Maybe you’ll need it someday.

Establish a support system

If you do not have one, please start searching for it, as soon as possible. Identify people you can trust to enable you share your daily updates, routine, issues or anything. Simply share. You don’t have to carry all the burden within yourself only. Sharing is caring, right? Choose a support system who will always be there to be your shoulder to cry on. One who can easily detect whether you are genuinely happy or are extremely trying to hide your problems, or even one who can detect the changes in your usual shopping habits, for example. Find one that is able to listen to you, and give advice when you need it the most, or someone who will scold you first for your silly mistakes but then is there crying together with you for the problem you are facing. Once found, keep them close and be open to share. Talk about your feelings, your day, your overthinking(s), basically, just talk to someone you trust. You are not alone; you have someone who actually care for you.

Sweat yourself out

Diverging your attention to something else might help. One of it, besides doing impulsive shopping spree is definitely exercising. Reduce the overthinking in your mind by doing some jogging, swimming, yoga, or even brisk walking. These activities help you to relax due to the natural ability of exercising to
reduce the levels of your body stress hormones. I believe it improves your mood too, and most probably helps you to sleep better at night. Just do any exercises or movements that you love. Be it running or singing and dancing to your music, tai chi or gardening, move yourself up! Make it a routine and hopefully you’ll see the result in near time. Remember, things can’t show their results if you do them temporarily or out of trends. And hey, exercising with your BFF sounds and totally feels a lot better.

Move, you are not a tree!

Remove yourself from the environment that made you fall trap to stress, let alone overwhelming tension and loads. Try to identify or rule out what’s making you, not you, anymore. Which this goes back to your support system previously. They are the one who’ll notice every single change and different details about you and notify you. Avoid being in a toxic positivity and avoid asking yourself to be one, – saying “Okay, I’m good” to everything and everyone. You deserve to be you, to choose when and what to do in your own life. Take good care of yourself first, then you can take good care of others.

Hey, I hope these might help you, just in case, though I hope you won’t have to! I am here, and will be here for you, just like you are, for me. The key is to try and let go. May this 2024 be a better year for you, me, and us, and be originally you! Stay stress free and live yourself happy. Toodles, love!