Mental Health Articles

We walk through most of our days on autopilot. Our minds replay stories, rehearsed fears, hopes, and assumptions. Many of the beliefs that run us aren’t really ours—they’re inherited, absorbed, unexamined.

As I learn to navigate the intricacies of my life, I recognize that overwhelm has been a consistent theme since childhood. Growing up as a highly sensitive child, I internalized the feelings of overwhelm not only as part of my own experience but also through observing my mother's struggles. I watched her grapple with the weight of life's demands as a single mother, often feeling helpless as she failed to seek the support she needed. Her inability to thrive in these moments of stress became ingrained in my perception of what overwhelm looked and felt like.

Try remembering when you spent an extended period of time in nature. Maybe it was a camping trip or a long hike.