I’m sure you’ve been feeling it.  Something hasn’t been “right” for a quite a while.  It get’s a little better.  Then it gets a lot worse.  Then maybe it gets better again.

Part of it is just life.  Part of it is some seriously historic events happening.

It can be overwhelming.  Frustrating.  Scary.  Exciting.  Terrifying.  Confusion.  Exhilarating.

It can be a lot of things to different people.  We all experience it differently.  We will all have different perspectives.

So what do you do when it’s too much?

Here are few ideas:

Practice Optimism

Develop Resilience

Learn about Frankl’s Tragic Optimism – optimism in spite of suffering.

Talk to someone about it – a friend, a partners, a parent, a spouse, a coworker, a peer, a mentor, etc.

Talk to a professional about it – I’m seeing clients both virtually or live, depending on your needs, as are many of my peers.

Put something good in your head – read a good book, check out a new podcast (might I recommend The Meaning Project Podcast?)

Socialize – we are wired for connection – close contact and communication.  When that can’t happen, a video chat or phone call can work wonders

Get outside – fresh air and trees do miraculous things for the human brain.

Get outside AND add some movement or exercise – walk, run, bike, boat – get those natural “feel good” neurotransmitters and hormones moving through your body!

Alter your expectations – sometimes we expect a little too much of ourselves or others.  When we give ourselves grace to be imperfect, it helps.

These are just a few examples off the top of my head – what can you add?  What do you do when it seems like your world is falling apart?