Life is overwhelming by nature. We have unlimited paths, unlimited ways to improve ourselves, unlimited amounts of money, and unlimited problems. But interestingly, this means that overwhelm isn’t actually an issue of having too much to deal with (we always do), it’s a matter of perspective and temperament.

Typically, it’s when we realize that we feel we don’t have enough time or energy to do particularly critical things that we feel overwhelm. Or just one intensely emotional or traumatic event can make us feel overwhelmed.

How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed

In the course of my life, I’ve become somewhat “anti-effort.” While I’m on the lazy side of the work ethic spectrum, that’s not even the reason for my stance. And to clarify, anti-effort does not mean anti-persistence. It means that effort is not the only or most important factor in our pursuits.

Negative emotions don’t have to bring negative results. They often will, perhaps, but each time you can utilize a negative emotion for good, you get a double whammy of avoiding further negativity and gaining something positive. 

Use Anger and Frustration As Fuel

Everyone wants the best results. But aiming for them is folly. Here’s why.

Results are the result of a process.

To truly aim for a result is to aim for a process that leads to it. But when people aim for results, they tend to focus on the result more than the process, interfering with actually getting the result they want.

How does daydreaming about a six pack help you work out? Sure, it can provide motivation, perhaps even during exercise. But you’re always better off mastering the workout routines and lifestyle that will lead to that result. The dark side of result chasing is doubt and discouragement.

People think results can motivate them, but results are just as likely to discourage and demotivate us. When eyeing a result, it’s easy to think thoughts like: “Do I have what it takes to get there? If so, why aren’t I there yet?”

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

– Soren Kierkegaard

I have a problem. Several, actually. But PLOT TWIST… everyone does!

Personal and global problems plague the world. They can be crucial to solve. But when it comes to focusing on problems, how far is too far?

Do you ever play whack-a-mole with your problems? I do. I’ll focus on fixing them, and more pop up immediately afterwards. But unlike whack-a-mole, focusing on whacking your problems isn’t a fun game because there’s no score, you don’t win tickets, and the game never ends. The moles keep coming! That reminds me, I might need to get a mole removed. Add that to my problem tab.