When It All Feels Too Much
A reflection from our Friday wellbeing circle
We began the session like we often do. A few people arrived early, some new faces settled in, and others showed up quietly with that look that says, I needed this today.
What came up early on was mental health. Not in a surface-level way. More like the feeling that builds when you’re tired of holding everything. When you feel like you’re doing fine on the outside but inside, it’s loud. Full. Foggy.
Sometimes it feels like you’re on autopilot.
The week slips by, your calendar fills up, and you can’t remember the last time you really connected with someone or even with yourself.
One person shared how they’d felt disconnected and reached out to a few people in a moment of honesty. They didn’t overthink it. They just sent messages to see who might respond. Someone did. That quick chat helped shift something. Being reminded that you’re not alone can change everything.
We spoke about overwhelm.
The kind that doesn’t always look dramatic. It builds quietly. It shows up in tension, short tempers, poor sleep, or a sense that something’s off. Sometimes it’s hard to even name it. You might not feel able to speak to the person involved. Or you might not want to burden anyone. So you carry it. And the pressure builds.
We talked about how movement can shift emotion. Not a workout. Just motion. A walk, a few stretches, putting on music that matches your mood. Something to help your body let go.
We explored how sound can be powerful. Whether it’s singing, chanting, or making noise that expresses how you feel. Some people use drums. Others journal with no filter. One person said they wrote with such force once, the pen nearly broke. That release mattered more than the words themselves.
We shared rituals that help.
Burning incense or herbs to clear a room. Lighting a candle and sitting in silence. Putting your feet in cold water. Cleansing your space or soaking in a salt bath. These aren’t just nice extras. They bring your attention back to now. They remind the body it’s safe.
There was a conversation about boundaries.
How it can take years to say no without guilt. Especially if you’re used to giving and helping. But when you start to honour your limits, things shift. You stop overextending. You start making space for your own rhythm.
We reflected on how environment matters too. Living in the UK, you can feel the emotional coldness around you sometimes. But it’s not personal. It’s the nature of the place. Knowing that helps you stop internalising it.
We spoke about joy.
Real joy. Not the kind you have to earn. Just simple, playful, human joy. Like the kind children find in puddles, or music, or rolling on the grass. As adults we often forget it, but it’s still in us. And it needs space too.
We ended the session with breath and stillness. A soft return to the body. Not for any goal. Just to land.
And something became clear. It’s not about being perfect or having it all together. It’s about finding what helps you stay connected, even when things feel heavy.
Maybe that’s music, connecting with nature., breath-work or catching up with a frriend who sees you.
Whatever it is, notice what brings you back to yourself. Notice what softens the tension.
Let it be part of your day. Not just when you’re struggling. But as a rhythm that supports you.
And if it helps to be in a space where you’re witnessed and heard, you’re welcome to join us on Fridays.