Life and change happen, whether we like it or not. I believe that sh*t happens, so shifts can happen.
Yet, change, life challenges, and increasing demands on a person's attention can affect even the most resilient.
Overwhelm can feel like living hell. It’s impossible to ignore and this sense of “everything is too much” can feel quite debilitating.
You know that you are in overwhelm when you keep thinking or saying, “This is too much,” “I can’t take this anymore,” “I feel stuck.” Emotions bounce from anger, fear, frustration, even to a sense of depression.
Slowing down helps.
I know this sounds counter intuitive and can cause a lot of resistance. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. I remember when I started to receive and practice Reiki, it was hard for me to become present and still (in my thoughts and in my body). I counted the seconds and kept wondering "Am I there yet?"
I'm an action-taker. When I identify a problem, I want to solve it. ASAP. My tendency was to react impulsively and not respond mindfully. So, one of my mentors taught me to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. To slow down and pause, to feel what I need to feel, with compassion, not judgment. It's been one of the harder lessons for me to learn.
Here's a perspective that may be helpful for you too: Change can feel overwhelming. That's because it challenges the status quo, which rocks a perceived sense of safety and can cause anxiety and difficulties, even for those who actively want it and pursue it. It's part of being human and experiencing life. Reiki reminds me that there is a well of calm and sense of well-being - and that I can choose to access this place, even when the storms of life are raging.
About Andrea Deierlein & Thrive Reiki, LLC: Andrea's work specializes in helping people transform the pain of life challenges and daily adversity through the practice of Reiki. She helps people struggling with stress, anxiety and overwhelm, to relax, calm down and breathe again. Focusing on stress management and the mind-body-connection, her clients shift out of survival mode, build focus and resilience. Connect with her on www.thrivereiki.com or follow her on Instagram @andreadeierlein