When It All Feels Heavy
Some days, the weight of everything just feels like too much. The to-do list never ends, the expectations keep piling up, and you find yourself running on empty. You’re exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. You start wondering if you even have it in you to keep going.
I get it. I’ve been there. Heck most days I’m caught in this cycle. But if no one has told you lately, let me be the one to say it: You’re doing better than you think.
Here’s the thing—when everything feels heavy, it’s not a sign to quit.
It’s a sign to pause. To breathe. To reset.
Pushing through doesn’t mean ignoring how you feel or pretending everything is fine. It doesn’t mean forcing yourself to keep going at the same pace when your tank is empty. Pushing through means giving yourself grace while choosing to take one small step forward. Just one.
Maybe that step is reaching out to a friend and saying, “I’m struggling.” Maybe it’s taking five minutes to sit in silence, to let yourself feel, and then reminding yourself why you started in the first place. Maybe it’s shutting your laptop, stepping outside, and letting the fresh air remind you that this moment—this feeling—is temporary.
Maybe it’s writing down one thing you can do instead of being overwhelmed by all the things you can’t.
Hard days don’t define you. They refine you. They stretch you, teach you, and remind you of what truly matters. And even though it may not feel like it right now, you will get through this.
So if today feels like a struggle, hold on.
You are not alone.
You are not failing.
You are human.
And you are stronger than you think.
Take that next step. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s messy. Even if it feels like you’re crawling instead of walking.
Progress is progress. And you? You’re worth the fight.
I’m cheering you on.
Hi Todd, my name is Willow. I’m Joni Carlson’s sister. Per her suggestion due to difficult circumstances I’m currently facing, I just spent the better part of my Saturday perusing your website and reading through your blog posts.
Short background: A few years ago, I left a 30-year marriage to a psychopathic abuser. The damage left an indelible mark on my psyche and my ability to navigate life without enormous anxiety and fear. I suffer from frequent panic attacks and struggle with overwhelm. For the past 2-1/2 years, I’ve been working through the trauma and putting my life together through therapy, courses, meditation, & anything else I can find that helps.
Being isolated and held back for so long, I had little to show in terms of a resume or work experience, but I worked different jobs to try and gain as much experience as I could. I had several work-related setbacks last year, but that inspired me to go back to college to build enough of a career that one day I no longer have to depend on family’s financial support.
When I reached out to Joni in the middle of the night last night after experiencing multiple panic attacks that I struggled to get on top of, she suggested I look you up.
There were numerous posts that resonated and a few that are now permanently copied and pasted into my phone’s notes where I keep quotes, book excerpts, and my journaling. The most impactful:
“Growth Takes Time”
“You’re Not In Their Race”
“When It All Feels Heavy”
I can’t tell you what your words mean to me. I needed to hear them. Finding work that doesn’t fill me with crippling anxiety means finding part-time remote work. It’s been an enormous challenge. Going to school at the age of 53, one class at a time, feels almost pointless. Taking care of my mom while juggling all my other responsibilities, all without losing my sanity, is a constant battle. But I’m doing it. In “Growth Takes Time,” you reminded me that I’m not alone, I’m not failing, & progress is progress. In “You’re Not In Their Race,” you reminded me I’m not behind, I’m exactly where I need to be, and it’s more than enough. And in “When It All Feels Heavy,” you used a tree metaphor, which quite frankly couldn’t have been more fitting or profound if you’d had a front row ticket into my mind. Trees are my grounding; they’re where I go when I’m spinning and spiraling and not sure what’s real. You reminded me I’m growing roots. Most of all, you made me feel seen and understood today. Which is pretty ironic because I also read your post about feeling seen, which of course featured my incredibly talented and inspiring sister. ☺️
Anyway, thank you for what you do, what you write, and for your dedication to growing positive leaders. The world needs more impactful leadership.