I’m not good enough.
I don’t know what to do.
Everything feels overwhelming, and I’m ready to give up.
Those are the kind of thoughts that enter my head from time to time. I know you can relate, because every human being on this planet goes through this.
It doesn’t matter how successful you are. Success doesn’t give you immunity from humanity.
One of the problems today is that you see edited lives on display. Few want to share what life really looks like, wrinkles and all.
So it’s easy to feel like you shouldn’t feel the way you do. But the truth is that whatever you’re going through is normal.
It’s okay.
Why Does This Happen?
When I have an expectation of how my life should unfold, I naturally compare that to how my life is unfolding.
If things aren’t going as expected, I feel bad.
I feel the tension between imagination and reality.
Sometimes, I just have a bad day, and I feel anxious, afraid, and overwhelmed.
During those times, I try not to take my thoughts too seriously. I do what I can, and I give myself a break.
Here’s a short video on this:
Your Thoughts, or Just Thoughts?
When I’m in the midst of the despair, I’ve learned to notice how chaotic my thoughts are.
The more I identify with my thoughts, the more I suffer, because I feel my thoughts.
When I entertain a thought, I get to go deeper into that experience, like an imaginary whirlpool.
You can try this out for yourself. Notice the thoughts that are here right now. Also notice that you are the awareness in which those thoughts emerge. You are not the thoughts themselves, because they come and go.
Thoughts could not exist without you.
Thoughts have no power unless you focus on them. I’m not saying that you should ignore your thoughts, just that you can be more aware of what you pay attention to, and that you don’t have to get sucked up in the drama.
There will still be days where you are seemingly stuck in a thought storm. When that happens, take a break, because it will pass.
When Should You Give Up?
I follow what resonates with me. Sometimes I give up for a few days. Eventually, enthusiasm returns, and I keep going.
Obstacles are not always meant to stop you in your tracks. Often they’re there to nudge you in a different direction.
For me, this always comes down to taking one tiny step toward what feels magnetic.
Here’s a video I made on this:
The Solution to the Despair
In the past, I’ve dealt with these kind of days by trying to push through them. I’ve tried forcing my way to success.
I never even considered that I could take a break.
When I feel like giving up, I’m not productive, and I don’t make good decisions. Whatever I do just breeds more of the same.
What you do during these breaks is up to you. I like to watch movies, annoy my kids, play games, meditate, read books, learn stuff, and so on.
Life has its own timing. I don’t have to force my own expectations on the world.
Instead, I can relax, and pay attention to where things are going.
It’s okay to feel like giving up. Everyone feels like this from time to time.
Take a break, and enjoy life.
The next step will emerge when the time is right.
You’re doing just fine.
All the best,
Henri