Well, it’s rightfully said by Heraclitus, “The only constant in life is change”. Nothing is here to stay forever, not us, not our feelings, no nothing. This transient nature of life is here to teach us to handle our emotions, whether it’s money, love, or career. Just ask yourself right now, if nothing is supposed to last, then why are we in a loop of blaming people, things and surroundings? Most of the overwhelming emotions come from overthinking things too much. Your mind can be your worst enemy or your best friend; it’s up to you what you allow your mind to do to you. There’s a high possibility that what you are thinking would never even happen in the first place.
And though we get that sometimes, things get heavier to carry… But isn’t that what life is all about? Those moments of life, those very particular moments of your life that feel like a scar that is not fading away…will fade away one day. Overwhelming emotions like stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, or even joy that feel too intense to handle… happen to all of us. And here’s the thing: that doesn’t make you weak. It makes you a human.
1. Press Pause and Step Out of the Storm
The first step? Stop. Just stop.
Ever felt like rushing through things when you are overwhelmed? But the thing is, nothing good can come out of reacting impulsively; if nothing, it can only lead to instant regret and more distress.
Instead, allow yourself to hit a pause, go out for a walk, and hang out with your favourite people. You don’t have to fix the feeling right away, just make space for it. And if possible, I feel that permitting yourself to feel the pain without resisting helps. It allows you to feel all the pain, and once all your tears dry down…your mind is free again.
And remember crying is never to be seen as a sign of weakness, rather it’s a sign that you CARED!
We live in an era where emotional suppression is seen as a good thing, and let’s not forget the number of times we have all heard. “Don’t cry.” “Don’t be dramatic.” “Calm down.” But is this healthy or helpful?
2. Let It Out (in a Safe Way)
Bottling up emotions is not bravery; nobody is going to reward you for suppressing your emotions, it is called SELF-DAMAGE in other words. And one day or another, this will reflect in your mood, sleep, and eating habits, for that matter.
Instead of letting your emotions explode onto someone else (or yourself), give them a safe exit.
For example: Start journaling. This one is helpful for those who are not able to express themselves properly. Also, don’t limit yourself-expression to journaling, if you think you can express better in poetry, then express in poetry, even if you don’t know how to… cause we are only trying to have fun here.
You can even try writing song lyrics, and trust me, you don’t have to be a writer, poet, or lyricist, just be yourself while you are writing. Try writing it for yourself or for someone who would love to read your stuff.
3. Practice Self-Compassion (Not Self-Judgment)
It’s easy to get mad at yourself for being emotional. But think of it this way: would you yell at a friend for feeling overwhelmed? No, right? So why do it to yourself? Self-compassion isn’t self-pity. It’s the courage to be kind to yourself when you’re struggling. Life happens, and it will keep happening. So, decide whether you want to live your life or spend it.
4. Move Your Body to Channel the Energy
Emotions are energy in motion. And when they get stuck, you feel it tight chest, racing thoughts, tension everywhere.
Movement helps. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown workout; just move in some way. It could be as simple as doing stretching exercises, walking around, or vibing to your favourite songs.
Moving your body signals to your brain that you’re not trapped and reminds you that you’re in control. And if not all these go out on self-dates, it might sound silly, but it actually helps improve the way you see things.
Join a gym or dance (and for this one, try different styles of dancing, the one you see in movies like ballet, ballroom, and salsa). Again, there’s no competition you need to prepare for, just having fun. A great way to get things off your head quicker.
6. Connect (Even When You Want to Isolate)
Overwhelming emotions often make us want to hide under a blanket and shut everyone out. While alone time can be healing, isolation can sometimes deepen the emotional spiral.
Reach out. Even a simple conversation can lift the weight a little. You don’t have to explain everything, just let someone in.
And if your emotions feel too heavy to manage on your own, consider therapy or counselling. There’s zero shame in needing support. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do. Meeting old friends, family get-togethers or meeting new people will make you understand that it’s just a phase and not the end.
7. Create Your Calm-Down Kit (Before You Need It)
First things first…THIS WORKS EVERY TIME. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s hard to think clearly. So build your emotional emergency kit. That way, you’ll have tools ready when the flood hits. Make a playlist of songs you love, favourite affirmations or quotes, and a short list of people to call or text, activities that ground you (drawing, puzzles, cleaning, etc.)
8. Remind Yourself: This Too Shall Pass
It’s easy to believe that overwhelming feelings will last forever. But they won’t. Emotions come in waves; they rise, peak, and eventually fall.
Remind yourself: This is temporary. I’ve felt this way before and made it through. I can ride this wave.
You don’t have to solve everything right now. Just focus on this moment. Then the next. Then the next.
Final Thoughts: Not Broken…Alive
Feeling deeply isn’t a flaw. It means you’re engaged with life. You care. You’re processing. You’re growing.
So next time you feel flooded with emotion, don’t try to “fix” yourself. Just anchor yourself. Trust yourself. You’re not drowning, you’re learning how to swim through your own depth.
And if you forget everything else, remember this:
You are allowed to feel it all. And you are strong enough to move through it.
