By a Therapist Who’s Been There Too
In my therapy room, I often hear people say things like:
“I don’t know why I’m crying. Nothing really happened.”
“I should be able to handle this.”
“Everyone else seems to be doing fine. What’s wrong with me?”
I hear these words not because something is wrong with them, but because something in our culture has convinced them that being human is a problem.
We live in a world that rewards productivity, constant motion, and emotional suppression. Pausing to feel is seen as indulgent. Asking for help is framed as failure. And so when we feel overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected, we assume we’re the issue.
Here’s the truth: Emotional overwhelm isn’t a defect. It’s a signal. A message from your nervous system that says, “Hey, this is too much.” It might be too many responsibilities, too much pressure to perform, or too little rest and connection. Whatever the cause, overwhelm isn’t something to push past. It’s something to listen to.
As a therapist, I don’t hand out quick fixes. Instead, I offer space. Space to slow down. To feel without judgment. To untangle what’s yours to carry, and what never was.
If you’re someone who is constantly “holding it together” for others, I see you. If you’re exhausted from pretending you’re okay, I see you. And if you’ve forgotten what it’s like to just be (without striving, fixing, or performing), I’m here to remind you: you’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to be tender and tired and totally worthy all at once.
Therapy isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about remembering who you were before the world told you to be smaller, quieter, or tougher.
So if your emotions feel heavy today, maybe the goal isn’t to push through. Maybe the goal is to soften to your body, to your breath, to your experience. And I truly believe that’s where healing begins.
If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Therapy can be a space to reconnect with yourself and make meaning of your emotions. You’re worthy of that space.
