How To Combat Feeling Overwhelmed: 5 Quotes That Keep Me Going on a Daily Basis
We all feel overwhelmed at times. There is no shame in admitting you are struggling to cope. Although it may not seem like it when you’re in the throes of stress, the truth is that it is all just a matter of perception. Problems or projects which seem gigantic are soon forgotten, once overcome. Whenever I feel life is too big to handle, I embrace the following quotes and remind myself that one day, no matter what happens, the situation will be in the past.
5. "It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop."
- Confucius
This is a quote I discovered only four or five years ago. It really helps me to understand that while passions may have waned and things might not be going as planned at the moment, it is important to keep up the momentum. In fact, it has become such an important motivator that I have something similar as my desktop background, which brings us to…
4. “You can’t do it all today, but you can do it.”
- Doe Zantamata
The happiness expert follows the line with ‘Big goals can only be reached with patience, persistence, and actions in their direction a little more every single day’. Often at work, or even at home, many facets of life can become overwhelming. When I was starting out as the editor of an academic film website a few years back, I would regularly remind myself of Zantamata’s quote in order to help keep me going. A long walk may take a lifetime, but it’s the individual steps that ultimately get us to where we’re going.
3. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
- Walt Disney
I’m usually the sort of person who likes to play it safe, to make sure I’ve covered all the angles before starting anything. Unchecked, I’d probably spend several weeks developing strategies and analytical charts before even buying a jumper. Fortunately, Disney’s advice is there to remind me that I need to just get on with it.
2. “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.”
- Charles R. Swindoll
With every passing day I believe this saying by Chuck to be truer. No matter who you are, rich or poor, life is going to throw some chaos and difficulties your way. It is within the very fabric of life to do so, part of its definition. You can either exacerbate these situations by reacting badly, and possibly incubating further ones and definitely creating unhappiness within yourself, or you can compose yourself and realise that it isn’t the situation or its consequences that really matter, but who you are going to be during this part of your journey through life.
No matter the circumstances, you can always choose to be dignified and leave it with some self-respect.
1. “I hated every minute of training, but I said don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”
-Muhammad Ali
Naturally, when things are at their toughest is when we want to quit, and so it should be. Although you may not feel any benefit while enduring difficulties, they all help form the tapestry of your life and are making you stronger. While you may be taking a beating at the moment, in the long run the experience is building you up into a champion. Now go get ‘em Champ!
(Images courtesy of Quotesgram.com and Izquotes.com)