Pushing yourself too hard can manifest in various emotional, mental, and physical signs. These include:
1. You feel the need to distance yourself: You find yourself using mental strategies to keep others at bay, sending out "stay away" signals to those you encounter. Even routine outings, like going to the grocery store, leave you drained, and you just don’t have the energy for small talk or eye contact. This emotional distance feels like a way to protect yourself.
2. You’ve withdrawn from those around you: You might be saying no to almost everything and shutting yourself off from friends, family, and your partner. Irritability and impatience are creeping into your interactions, leaving you feeling detached and disconnected.
3. You seek comfort in temporary fixes: Whether it’s sweets or alcohol, these have become your go-to tools for unwinding, helping to momentarily ease the discomfort you’re feeling, even though the relief doesn’t last long.
4. Rest doesn’t seem to help: Even with extra sleep or breaks during the day, you still feel off-balance both emotionally and physically. At night, you may find yourself tossing and turning, replaying the day’s events, which only makes sleep more elusive.
5. Your self-esteem has taken a hit: You may start to feel like you’ve lost touch with the confident, capable person you once were. Everyday tasks feel burdensome, and the kindness and generosity that are part of your nature seem buried under the weight of it all.
6. You feel like shutting down: It’s like a sense of paralysis has set in - you want to withdraw completely, procrastinate, and struggle to break free from this state.
7. Negative emotions are taking over: Feelings of anger, frustration, and resentment are bubbling up. Things that never bothered you before are now triggering, and you may find yourself envious of others’ happiness, free time, or seemingly lighter workloads, especially on social media.
8. You’re making mistakes: Feeling overwhelmed can lead to confusion and exhaustion, making it harder to think clearly and causing you to make more errors than usual.
9. Self-doubt is creeping in: You might start questioning your abilities, especially when you feel under pressure or when someone is watching you. This can make you feel even more overwhelmed and prone to mistakes.
10. Stress is manifesting physically: The buildup of stress is showing up in your body. Even if some of the symptoms feel somatic, remember that stress and anxiety can seriously impact your physical health over time.
These 10 signs that you may push yourself too hard are an invitation to embrace change in your life.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed or noticing signs that something isn't quite right, perhaps your intuition is gently telling you it’s time for a shift. What could you let go of, or what small changes could you make to allow yourself to breathe deeply again and step into the fullest, most authentic version of yourself?
It’s natural for the mind to resist, saying, “I can’t change anything, there’s nothing I can do.” But I want to lovingly encourage you to look beyond those doubts and fears.
What if your life could be different - simpler, more fulfilling, and full of ease?
Take a moment to imagine what that version of your life could look like. If you can envision it, that’s the first step toward creating it.
Remember, the world needs you - happy, fulfilled, and living with an open heart. This is how you truly step into your purpose and make your unique impact.
Take these signs as gentle reminders to slow down and take care of yourself - you deserve it.
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