Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burnt out or ready to shake things up with a simple change?

Yesterday was an awful rainy and windy day – one of those days that always makes me feel a bit low, especially when I’m cold!  When I’m like this, I tend to doubt myself for no real reason, whereas a warm sunny day always gives me a boost to carry on.

Whatever you’re up to, if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or maybe not good enough, just remember, you’re not the only one going through this! 

Everyone feels like this sometimes – it’s how we deal with it that counts. I like to picture my life as a fishbowl: sometimes it’s crystal clear, other times it gets a bit muddy. So, how do I clear it up? 

I remind myself not to listen to my inner critic – that nagging voice that’s full of negativity. It likes to tell me I’m not good enough, judge everything I do, and push me hard to achieve more, making me feel totally worthless. 

Sure, having that critical voice inside us is pretty common; most people don’t even realise it’s there. But it can really drag you down, making you feel depressed or anxious. Self-criticism is one of the most common and nasty stressors linked to mental health issues like depression, perfectionism, impostor syndrome, social anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder, among others. 

Now, what does my positive inner voice say in a calming, gentle tone? 

It tells me I’m doing my best and reminds me to look forward instead of dwelling on the past. There are brighter days but I need to get creative: what can I do to help myself feel better? Usually, I grab my journal, write down how I’m feeling, and list three good things about my day. Doing this lifts my spirits and makes me feel hopeful. It helps me see that I can turn things around – I don’t have to stay stuck in negativity or feeling down.