Gentle Words for a Mind in Overdrive
Feeling overwhelmed is not a weakness—it's a human signal to slow down, breathe, and take one compassionate step toward peace and clarity. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Viorel Kurnosov via iStockPhoto.com
By: Jamila Gomez
When overwhelm sets in, it often feels like being trapped beneath a wave, struggling to catch your breath. Let’s pause right here. First, breathe with me—slowly in, and slowly out. Let’s ground ourselves before we unpack everything swirling around inside.
It’s completely understandable to feel buried under this weight right now. Life has a relentless way of piling on challenges, obligations, and expectations. Recognize this: your overwhelm doesn’t indicate weakness or failure; it’s a signal from your body and mind that you’re juggling more than feels manageable. That’s not a flaw—it’s being human.
Take a moment to acknowledge everything that’s causing your overwhelm. It can feel counterintuitive to face it directly, but clarity often begins with gentle acknowledgment. What specifically feels too heavy today? Is it work pressure, relationship struggles, health concerns, or perhaps the accumulation of many smaller tasks?
Now, let’s compassionately observe what’s happening inside. Overwhelm often whispers lies that sound like truth: “You can’t handle this,” or “You’ll never catch up.” But pause here—these are feelings, not facts. Feelings are valid but not permanent, intense but not all-knowing. You have navigated moments of overwhelm before, even when it felt impossible, and each time, you have found your way through.
Even now, in the fog of too much, there is still something steady inside you. That part of you that got up today, that part of you reading this right now—it matters. It counts. You are not frozen, even if you’re moving slowly. That is still movement. That is still you choosing to try.
Consider for a moment what small action could create some breathing room right now. Not a sweeping, overwhelming solution—just one small step. Maybe it’s writing down a single task to complete, asking someone for help, or choosing to postpone something until tomorrow. Allow yourself permission for small actions that feel gentle rather than Herculean.
And if the small step today is simply letting yourself cry, or rest, or sit in silence for five minutes—that’s valid too. You are not lazy for needing to pause. You are not broken because your capacity is lower today. You’re responding to the weight of your life the best way you can in this moment.
Finally, remember this: you are not alone in this feeling. Many others have stood exactly where you are, feeling exactly what you’re feeling. Overwhelm is isolating, but the reality is profoundly human and deeply shared.
Give yourself the grace you would generously offer someone else in your shoes. Talk to yourself gently: “It’s okay that I’m feeling this. It won’t last forever. I’m allowed to take this slowly, step by step.”
Trust your resilience—it has quietly helped you move through countless tough moments before. It’s okay to slow down, reach out, and prioritize care. You’ve got this—not because it’s easy, but because you have the strength, even in exhaustion, to show up for yourself one gentle step at a time.
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Dare to Want What’s Truly Yours
Discover how shedding expectations and embracing your authentic desires can lead to a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life rooted in self-trust and clarity. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Tinpixels via iStockPhoto.com
By: Jamila Gomez
If you woke up tomorrow morning completely free of anyone else’s expectations, judgments, or opinions, what would you truly want? It’s a deceptively simple question, yet many of us struggle to answer it honestly. We spend so much of our lives shaping our choices around how they’ll be perceived by others—family, friends, coworkers, even strangers—that we often lose sight of our authentic selves. But beneath the layers of external validation and approval-seeking lies a powerful clarity waiting to be uncovered.
Discovering what we truly desire, independent of others’ perceptions, requires courage. It demands that we peel away the protective layers we’ve built up over the years—layers formed by societal pressures, familial expectations, and cultural norms. Beneath it all, you’ll find not just your authentic desires, but also your unique passions, joys, and purposes that are truly yours.
The journey of self-discovery begins with curiosity. Start by asking yourself small, yet deeply revealing questions: What activities make me lose track of time? When do I feel most alive and genuine? Which dreams excite me even if they seem impractical or unconventional? These questions can guide you back to yourself, illuminating paths you may have overlooked because they weren’t “acceptable” or aligned with traditional expectations.
Imagine for a moment how liberating it would feel to genuinely prioritize your own desires without the noise of judgment clouding your decisions. Maybe you’d pursue a career that society doesn’t typically celebrate but makes your heart race with excitement. Perhaps you’d relocate to a city or country that resonates deeply with your spirit, despite skepticism from those around you. Or maybe you’d finally commit to a passion project, whether it’s writing poetry, making art, or traveling solo.
It’s not selfish to seek out what fulfills you; it’s self-respect. The beauty of authenticity is that it doesn’t diminish your relationships—it enriches them. When you’re living in alignment with your true desires, your connections become deeper and more genuine, rooted in who you truly are rather than who you’re expected to be.
Consider taking just one brave step today toward embracing your truth. Speak a desire aloud, journal about your secret dreams, or explore a small, unconventional choice that resonates with your soul. By gradually nurturing this inner authenticity, you’ll build confidence and clarity, ultimately discovering a life shaped by your genuine desires rather than others’ expectations.
So, ask yourself again: What would you truly want if no one else’s opinions mattered? Your answer could be the beginning of a remarkable journey toward your most authentic and fulfilling life.
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You Can Be Aligned—and Still Feel Overlooked
Feeling overlooked while walking in your purpose is normal—alignment doesn't always come with applause, but your work, truth, and growth still matter deeply. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Jay Yuno via iStockPhoto.com
By: Jamila Gomez
Let’s go ahead and tell the truth:
You can be aligned. You can be clear on your purpose, committed to your path, and doing the work with your whole heart—and still feel overlooked.
Still feel like no one’s seeing you.
Still feel like you’re showing up for a room that stays quiet.
Still feel like you’re doing everything “right” and wondering if any of it matters.
That’s the part nobody tells you about when they talk about purpose and passion.
That you can be walking in alignment with everything you’re called to do and still question yourself. Not because you lack direction, but because the world around you hasn’t caught up to what you’re building.
It’s a hard space to sit in.
Especially when you’re watching other people get the visibility, the support, the success—while you’re still grinding quietly, trying not to take it personal.
But here’s what you need to know:
Silence is not a sign of failure.
And slowness is not a sign that you’re lost.
You are not being punished for choosing purpose.
You are not invisible just because you aren’t being applauded.
You are not on the wrong path just because no one’s walking beside you yet.
The work you’re doing matters, even if it hasn’t gone viral.
The truth you’re sharing matters, even if it hasn’t “converted” yet.
And the healing you’re offering—through your story, your creativity, your courage—is still reaching the people it’s meant to, even if it’s one soul at a time.
So if you’re feeling discouraged, not because you’re unmotivated but because you’re unseen, hold onto this:
You don’t need to be celebrated to be in alignment.
You just need to keep showing up as yourself.
That is the work. That is the calling. That is enough.
And even if no one’s clapping yet—you’re still becoming.
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Choosing Health Over Length — In Life and in Love
Prioritizing health over longevity in life and relationships means letting go of what no longer serves your well-being and embracing emotional, mental, and relational alignment. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: Delmaine Donson via iStockPhoto.com
By: Jamila Gomez
When we think about health, our minds often go straight to physical wellness—eating clean, getting in daily steps, scheduling regular checkups. But health isn’t just about the body; it’s about our emotional, mental, and relational wellbeing, too. And sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do—for ourselves and for those we care about—is to let go, even if it means something ends sooner than we hoped.
There’s a common trap we fall into: believing that the length of something is proof of its worth. We celebrate long relationships, long careers, long lives. But what if the real measure of value isn’t length, but quality?
This idea especially hits home in relationships. We’re often taught to fight for love, to stick things out no matter what, to believe that longevity equals success. But staying in something that drains us, damages us, or slowly erodes our sense of self isn’t romantic—it’s exhausting. Choosing to prioritize the health of a relationship over the length of it can be one of the most powerful, loving choices we make.
Sometimes that means having the hard conversation. Sometimes it means walking away—not because you gave up, but because you chose peace. Because you finally understood that real love shouldn’t cost your wellbeing.
Healthy relationships are marked by mutual respect, communication, trust, and growth. They’re not perfect, but they’re safe. They nurture you. When those foundations crumble and can’t be rebuilt, clinging to the shell of something “for the sake of time” only leads to more hurt.
The same principle applies to life itself. We’re constantly bombarded with ways to extend our years—diets, supplements, hacks—but what’s the point of a long life if it’s filled with stress, disconnection, or suffering? A shorter life full of meaning, love, laughter, and alignment with your values can be far richer than one stretched out in survival mode.
Choosing health over length is about intentional living. It’s about asking: Does this nourish me? Am I growing here? Is this kind to my soul? If the answer is no, then you owe it to yourself to realign—even if it means letting go of what’s familiar.
In the end, we remember the moments we felt most alive, not just the number of years we lived. The same is true in love. A short, healthy relationship that helped you grow is far more meaningful than a long one that left you smaller.
So whether it’s life or love—choose health. Always.
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