Life has a way of throwing curveballs just when we think we have everything under control. As a member of GenerationX, I’ve navigated my fair share of challenges, but the past few months have been particularly overwhelming. My mother’s recent passing and my husband's major surgery for skin cancer on top of his ongoing battle with chronic leukemia (it has been 6 years since he was diagnosed), have tested my emotional resilience in ways I never anticipated. It has become even more clear to me that in times like these, it’s crucial to prioritize emotional wellness and find strategies to cope with the overwhelm.
Finding ways to manage emotional well-being and find balance amid life’s chaos is something I didn't prioritize until now. I tend to soldier on even when I know I need to pay attention to how I'm feeling and how that affects my day-to-day life. I invite you to come along with me as I learn how to do that and then begin practicing what we learn together.
The Importance of Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is more than just the absence of stress or anxiety; it’s about maintaining a positive outlook and having the tools to manage the ups and downs of life. For GenXers, balancing careers, family responsibilities, and personal time can often lead to feelings of overwhelm. It’s important to recognize the signs of emotional stress and take proactive steps to address them... before they become stumbling blocks.
Personal Reflections: Coping with Loss and Illness
Losing my mother was an incredibly emotional experience. The grief was profound, and planning her memorial service brought back a flood of memories. At the same time, my husband underwent a significant surgery to remove a large squamous cell carcinoma tumor as his battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) continued. These events have left me feeling like I was on an emotional rollercoaster, struggling to keep up with the demands of everyday life, while managing my own feelings of grief and worry.
Strategies for Overcoming Overwhelm
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings:
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious. Acknowledging these emotions is the first step towards managing them. Allow yourself to grieve and express your feelings, whether through talking with a friend, journaling, or seeking professional support.
2. Prioritize Self-Care:
During difficult times, self-care becomes even more critical. Simple acts like taking a walk, enjoying a cup of tea, or practicing mindfulness can make a big difference. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for your well-being.
3. Lean on Your Support System:
Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for support. Sharing your experiences and feelings with loved ones can provide comfort and help lighten the emotional load.
Community support groups can also be a great resource for connecting with others who understand what you’re going through.
I'm typically pretty stoic when it comes to showing sadness and grief. For me, these last months have been an exercise in opening up, letting go, and sharing my feelings with my friends and family. I'm learning that I can be open and show vulnerability without totally sacrificing my privacy, which is important to me. My growth in that area has been truly healing and something I'm determined to be deliberate about continuing.
4. Set Realistic Expectations:
It’s important to recognize your limits and set realistic expectations for yourself. It’s okay to say no to additional responsibilities and take time to focus on your mental and emotional health.
This is another one that hit home with me. Taking a step back is okay. I'm used to stepping up when my people need me and I'm not about to turn my back on them... I'm now making sure that I'm not neglecting my own equally important needs.
5. Find Healthy Outlets:
Engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can help alleviate stress. Whether it’s reading a book, gardening, or pursuing a hobby, finding healthy outlets for your emotions is crucial.
I must admit, sometimes in the past I've felt like I just waste time when I "indulge" in activities that aren't really productive. I'm learning to see being creative as necessary for my emotional wellness, so taking time to crochet, write, paint, or just "zone out" while listening to music needs to be part of my routine. We don't all have the same creative outlets... think about what sorts of creative activities you would like to add to your routine. Whether it's building something, getting lost in a novel, or learning to play the piano, it's important and necessary, not over-indulgent.
The Role of Professional Help
Sometimes, managing emotional stress on our own isn’t enough. Seeking help from a mental health professional can provide valuable tools and strategies for coping. Therapy or counseling can offer a safe space to explore your feelings and develop a plan for maintaining emotional wellness.
Embracing a Balanced Life
Finding balance is about creating harmony between your responsibilities and your need for rest and rejuvenation. It’s about carving out time for the things that matter most and letting go of what doesn’t serve your well-being. As GenXers, we have the resilience and strength to navigate life’s challenges, but it’s essential to prioritize our emotional health along the way.
Conclusion
I'm not a huge fan of what I see as the overuse of the word "journey" these days, but it fits here: emotional wellness truly is a journey, not a destination. By acknowledging our feelings, prioritizing self-care, leaning on our support systems, setting realistic expectations, and finding healthy outlets, we can navigate the overwhelm and find balance in our lives.
In an upcoming blog article, I'm going to lean into something I've been familiar with for a while now, but haven't applied to my emotional wellness... essential oils and aromatherapy. I wrote a blog a while back that touched on the science of essential oils and our limbic system, the emotional control center of our brain. I'll be putting that information into practice and will write about it for you, so if you want to follow along, sign up to receive blog notifications and then take a few minutes to read that older, slightly science-y blog next.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Together, we can support each other in finding peace and emotional wellness amid life’s chaos.
Call to Action
I invite you to share your own experiences and strategies for managing emotional wellness in the comments below. Let’s create a supportive community where we can uplift and inspire each other to prioritize our well-being.
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