Take A Step Back, Breathe, Please.

Do you ever feel like you have a giant weight on your chest? You are a big ball of stress? You are always worrying? You can't stop working (whether in school or a professional career)? This might be the post you needed. I know where you are. I know where you have been. I have been there. Many of my peers have been there and are still there. I wish I could take back all the times I stressed and worried. It would have saved me peace of mind and energy. That's a key thing to understand. Stressing and worrying consumes your energy in a negative way. Life is too short, put your energy in positive places. Now, I know, all this is easier said than done. I completely understand where you are coming from and why you feel the way you feel. I understand it, fully.

Here me out here for how you can overcome this. I recently had a conversation with a friend at work and they were so beyond stressed. To the point where they didn't even know where to begin. They were losing sleep. They were crying. And on top of it, their relationship and family life was suffering. I believe in letting others genuinely feel heard and seen. I want to put people at ease and make them feel worthy and strong. I have a passion in lifting others up. I was there for that person and got them to a point where they were able to function again. I allowed him to be heard. I allowed him to be vulnerable and open up. The young man in this case felt like he had to work 60 hours week, he had to always be at his computer, and as a man he had to do everything perfect and could not let anyone down because that's what I man would do.

We live in a hustle culture. It's not healthy. That's my belief. The opposition will say, "Well how are you going to earn money? How are you going to support a family? How can you say you're a man?". Let me tell you something, being a man is so much more than hustling and working 60 hours a week and not seeing your family, friends, and those you love. Yes, you need money to buy the things you want. Yes, you should put your best effort into everything you do. But, being a man is so much more. Being a man is being strong (in strength and in heart). Being a man is being a an open ear and an active listener to those that need it. Being a man is not letting others be made fun of and sticking up for yourself. Being a man is being kind, open, and vulnerable. Being a man is being that protector and provider when it requires you to be. Being a man is loving that special person, your family, your kids, and those closest to you with everything you have. Being a man is looking in the mirror at night, going to sleep, and knowing you did the right thing.

If you be yourself, take a step back, and take a breathe you can overcome anything. I am here for you. I believe in you.

Be Well, Stay Young.