read this if you're overwhelmed

Hi everyone and happy Friday! I’m currently reporting from West Adams, Massachusetts where I am up here for a friend’s wedding! It’s so nice to get outside of New York sometimes - seeing grass feels lowkey foreign to me sometimes and I need a bit more of it in my life…

I am no expert but I’ve been in a busy season right now (which I love!) but sometimes it takes a little extra to stay on top of your life and not get run over by overwhelm. We all have those seasons where personal or professional happenings monopolize our brain space, so it’s just on us to stay extra diligent on remaining sane and human through it all. This week I felt like I just wanted to hit pause on life and take a breath, even though I technically “couldn’t.” I’ve been thinking about what supports me when I’m feeling this type of way, and though I definitely need to work on all of them, these are the things that really help me stay grounded. I thought I’d share them with you..

No, you are not a burden to people around you if you need help. Ask for it.

Even a simple text to someone that you’re going through something or need to talk releases the power that the feeling holds over you. There are countless times that I have called my mom, left a voice note for a friend, and immediately felt better just saying how I felt out loud. When it lives in your head, it shackles you more to the feeling than you think. One of my best friends reminded me this week that there is nothing more important than taking care of yourself, your well-being, and your mental health - work responsibilities can wait.

Your life doesn’t revolve around you, your overwhelm, or this feeling you’re experiencing.

Sometimes it’s good to zoom out of the feeling and think about other things that are going on in your life or your loved ones’ lives. Asking a friend about their day, making conversation with a stranger, or centering some time on what’s going on with others rather than just with you can work as a reminder that that there is more to life than what you’re feeling. It also gives perspective that the world is not revolving around you or this moment. Sorry to say, but it’s not all about you! Or me! The picture is bigger and wider than that.

Not to be dramatic about it, but nothing lasts forever, even the lows

When you remember that nothing is permanent and everything is temporary, it should remind you that you’ve gotten through difficult feelings and things before, and you can and will do it again. The only realistic way to live is to remember that life is truly about feeling great and feeling down in equal measure, designed this way so that we can always discern the difference.

Break it up into bite sized pieces.

The other day I was listing all the things I had to do and got so overwhelmed I ended up in paralysis and didn’t do anything, lol. The next day, I starred all the things that were priority and took JUST those things one at a time. Piling on is not the answer, and small steps are still better than no steps at all.

Take your journal out and free write for a page

When I’m feeling off or like something’s bothering me and I don’t know exactly the source, I’ll allow myself to free write in my journal for a page and see what comes up. Sometimes writing without a reason or cause supports you in realizing or recognizing things you didn’t see when it was swirling in your head without a place to go. This is also along the same lines of removing the power of the feeling from something intangible in your head, to something you can see and pinpoint on a page.

An escape can be healthy sometimes

All I want to do sometimes is switch off and numb my brain, turn on a dumb dating show and escape into someone else’s reality. It really helps. Carving out some time at the end of the day, even if it’s 20-30 minutes to watch a show you’ve been wanting to see or reading a book before bed can healthily distract you from what’s going on with you + get you out of your head.

Eat good food + move

It’s the most obvious thing ever, but whenever I’m prioritizing cooking for myself, eating healthy snacks and meals, and moving (even if it’s a walk at the end of the day), I always feel better. Prioritizing eating well even when it can feel like a slog at the end of the day to cook + care for yourself, makes all the difference. Set yourself up well at the start of the week and avoid takeout if you can! Some of my favorite snacks + meals:

Chilled Sesame Noodles which keep amazing for lunch the next day

My weird snack obsession I’ve been having everyday

Favorite sweet snack to make with my ripe bananas

A healthy crispy rice salad I eat on repeat

it should go without saying… but you do not have to be perfect because that literally doesn’t exist

As important as it is to eat well, and check things off of your to do list, and do all the things you need to do…stop being so hard on yourself!!! Life is difficult enough already, applying pressure on yourself to do everything right, on time, and perfectly is not realistic. Sometimes just surviving your day and making it to your bed at the end of the night is a feat. Showing kindness to yourself is how you give others permission to show it to you.

I hope this is helpful as you head into what is hopefully a restful weekend!! I’ll see you guys next week <3

xx Samah