Over Pressured, Underwhelmed: The Burdens We Place on Ourselves

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hey, Heifer! I’ve been struggling lately. I’m in a depressive episode and on top of that I’ve been agonizing over my future. Like,</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">truly</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">agonizing. I’m pretty sure I’m losing sleep over it. And the main reason why is that I have put so much pressure on myself to figure it all out right now. Or soon. Or really ever. And it feels like I’ll never figure it out, which means I’m afraid to move forward, which means I’m beating myself up for not moving forward, I get paralyzed, etc. etc. etc. Today is a think-out-loud episode about why I do this to myself and ways I can try to navigate these negative thought patterns. Enjoy!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moo,</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elaine</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Want additional content including a secret blog and videos? Check out my Patreon at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/anguseyetea">www.patreon.com/anguseyetea</a>!</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>TIMESTAMPS</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">00:00 Somehow, I recorded this episode without making a single Queen joke.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">2:25 I put too much pressure on myself and it’s the main source of my anxiety/depression these days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">4:58 Almost five months into my Life Sabbatical and the pressure is rising (mostly from me). Other things have piled onto this crap heap as time has progressed. Yayy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">11:15 How can I fight those nagging questions my brain asks that put me down? What’s next? Why don’t I have a plan? What am I doing with my life?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">15:33 Trying to work backwards on my racing thoughts. If I want to live my life with x, y, and z, then how much do I need to earn? Where do I need to live?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">21