We’ve all been there. Each and every one of us can remember a time in our lives where we felt that we were hitting our breaking point. We felt like we were on overload. Maybe it was at work. Maybe it was at home. No matter where or when you experienced it, it is a horrible thing to go through.
What prompted me to write about this today was what I experienced this morning: Google was down. I just sat there, eyes wide open, wondering “how could Google be down? I mean, it’s GOOGLE for crying out loud!” Well, according to a Wall Street Journal article, they had an “internal storage quota issue.” Yes, even Google isn’t perfect and has it’s limits and breaking point.
Limits and Breaking Points
Just like Google, we all have our limits. We live in an extremely competitive world, often becoming overachievers. Social media adds the extra pressure with friends and families broadcasting everything they do and achieve. It usually makes you realize everything YOU are NOT doing and NOT achieving. That is our biggest problem. Sure, seeing others achieving so much can push us and motivate us. But we need to recognize our limits.
Recognize The Signs of Hitting Your Breaking Point, Then Knowing What To Do
So when do we know when we reached our limits and our breaking point? Some things that I’ve experienced when I’m doing too much and about to hit my breaking point includes:
- exhaustion
- fatigue
- irritability
- impatience
- overly emotional and sensitive
Just like how we rely on Google, people rely on us. We need to be there for our family and friends. So it is important to avoid coming face to face with our breaking point and “crashing.” What can you do to avoid reaching your breaking point?
- Talk to someone. Confide in someone who you trust AND who you think could be helpful.
- Acknowledge your feelings. You are entitled to feel the way you do. But you have to get to the root of that feeling. Close your eyes and ask yourself what is triggering you to feel like you’ve reached your breaking point.
- 5-5-5 Breathing. Focusing on your breathing will get you more in tune with your body and slow down your racing heart.
- Meditate. Clear your head to help improve your self-awareness.
- Use a Growth Mindset. Tell yourself that you’ve been here before and got through it, so you WILL get through this again. Be confident in yourself.
- Make a plan. Whatever it is that is pushing you to your limits, make a plan on how you will get through it. Write it down! When you put it on paper, it seems more achievable.
For more information, feel free to check out this great article in Psychology Today, written by Gustavo Razzetti.
Music Connection
I always try to make a connection between the music I’m listening to and the topics that I blog about. I always add these albums to my Personal Playlist page. This evening I decided to listen to some of my Dave Matthews Band vinyl collection. I specifically picked this album tonight because some lyrics really stand out to me and I made a connection between the words and this blog post.
Now Spinning: Dave Matthews Band – Crash
Key Tracks and how they relate:
- “Too Much” – be aware and acknowledge when things become “too much.”
- “Lie In Our Graves” – live a balanced life with no regrets; “would you not like to be ok ok ok?”
- “Cry Freedom” – I love the lyric, “the future is no place to place your better days.” Make things better NOW!
One way I’m trying to avoid hitting my breaking point is to make time for ME. I’ve been working on staying balanced with everything in my life. So night I’ll be taking some time for self-care and treat myself to a relaxing salt bath and meditate.
Tonight, give yourself permission to unwind. You need to allow some time for yourself. Whatever work or tasks that need to get done will be there tomorrow for you to tackle.
Practice mindfulness.
Say encouraging words to yourself.
Remind yourself how amazing you are.
Be proud of who you are and what you accomplish.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I practice and research mindfulness and mental wellness practices to use. If you are in serious distress, please seek proper medical help from a professional.
I do use affiliate links on here meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! My views and opinions are never swayed because of this! I only recommend products and services I love!
Thank you for your ideas! Breaking points and getting burned out has been such a relevant topic this year. I also love the idea of connecting music to that theme!
Thank you for your kind words! Yes, this was a very trying year for so many of us. We just need the tools to get through difficult times and focus on how we react to situations. It’t the only thing we can control.
Melissa, this is a wonderful post. I really needed to read this because 2020 has been a rough year and there have been times I felt like my breaking points were getting the best of me. Lovely post and thank you for sharing this, it’s very helpful, and Happy New Year!
Yes, we are all in this together. I have my moments of weakness and I’m always trying to grow and improve myself and how I react to things that come up in life. Wishing you a year of wellness and strength!
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I’m honored that you shared my blog post in your article! Thank you so much for the shout out!
Great post! Music and meditation have been keeping me grounded during some very trying times. I will have to give the 5-5-5 breathing method a try
Staying grounded is so important. I’m glad you use these techniques! 5-5-5 breathing is wonderful…I even use it with my first graders. Happy new year!
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