Weekly Prompt #18: What are your main sources of stress in your life?
Hello everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
A couple of weeks ago we discussed: Are there any particular thoughts or worries that frequently occupy your mind? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: What are your main sources of stress in your life?
This week I want us to reflect and explore this topic that can help us understand and explore the sources of our stress. Please take a moment to identify the areas that are causing you the most stress. Let's get started and all thoughts are welcomed!
Note: A helpful tip from @hope : "I recommend the book 'How to stop worrying and start living'. You can find the audiobook on YouTube"
Join us in the Anxiety Support Chat every Monday and Tuesday!
My main sources of stresses in my life currently is keeping the people in my life happy and the 2nd thing is getting things in order so I can work towards applying for a masters program in social work.
I’m a people pleaser who is working towards reinforcing my boundaries and learning that it’s okay to say no to those I love, when I know I can’t make the event/situation and if they truly are there for me in the way they say they are, they will understand.
I get anxious about asking people for things, such as asking for reference letters for the masters program. So it’s been a real struggle asking for some help along the way of getting my paperwork in order. Plus I’ve been trying to put more time and effort on 7cups to help me experience something’s that I may have to experience in the future.
@CherryBerryPie It sounds like keeping others happy while also taking care of your needs is creating a lot of stress. Reinforcing boundaries can be challenging but also important for self care. What emotions come up for you as you work on saying no when needed?
@ASilentObserver
Feelings of rejection/abandonment/fear. They're slowly lessening as I keep trying to enforce my boundaries, but its a bit of a long process and I have to constantly remind myself that its good to have boundaries.
@CherryBerryPie I hear you've been experiencing difficult feelings of rejection, abandonment, and fear. Focusing on enforcing healthy boundaries, as you've been doing is wise. You clearly care about your well-being and that alone shows strength and self-compassion. What has been most challenging about the process so far for you?
Job prospects. It's the big question: am I gonna get a decent job with a decent pay after graduation?
@YSC1 It sounds like you're feeling uncertain about your job prospects after graduation. What worries or concerns are on your mind as you think about this next step?
My worry is that I will be unemployed because I've applied to 80 internships without an interview. My GPA is good (3.981) and I've done projects too. So I feel like it'll be all for nothing. And then what? So you see, I feel helpless.
@YSC1 It's understandable that you would feel helpless after applying to so many internships without receiving an interview. Your hard work and high GPA show your dedication. You must feel disappointed after putting in a significant effort. I hope everything works out in your favor and know you have all of us here with you and rooting for you. <3
Thank you!!
@YSC1 Absolutely YSC. I am glad you reached out and opened up with us here. It takes courage. I hope you continue to take your small steps. We are all here with you to listen to and to support.
friends and school
@bariaa It sounds like you're feeling stressed by friends and school. You must be juggling a lot. Can you tell me more about what's contributing to those feelings?
school. teachers. just the way i have to do something im not really interested in and someone's opinion on my tryings. any comments said with a strict loud voice. any small chance they condemnate me.
@narcisse00000 It sounds like the pressure and stress of school expectations can feel overwhelming at times. You're not alone in finding some parts of school uninteresting or stressful. What specifically adds to the stress or condemnation you mentioned feeling?
Aw, thank you! :)
Myy job and worrying about my mom's health problems
@cag17 It sounds like you're dealing with a lot of stress related to your job and concerns for your mom's health. You must feel worried and overwhelmed at times. How are you coping with everything on your plate right now?
Not so good.... I'm been considering putting my two weeks in at my job and yesterday my mom found out she has breast cancer 😢
@cag17 I'm so sorry to hear you've received difficult news and are feeling overwhelmed. It sounds like there is a lot weighing on you right now. What's been on your mind as you've considered putting in your two weeks at work? if comfortable to share! Please know we are all here with you in this. You are not alone. Sending virtual hugs, if okay
Well, I work at a daycare and for a while now my boss hasn't been so nice to me... telling me the classroom I'm in charge of is horrible and saying I'm not being a team player when I always try to be a team player. I always help out when I'm asked to and never say no when I'm asked to come in early or stay late. She just makes me feel like I'm not good enough or I'm not doing a good job when I know I am and I'm trying my best. And she always makes those comments to me in front of my other coworkers which is very unprofessional
@cag17 It sounds like a very difficult situation to be in. It must be challenging to feel criticized and unsupported in your work environment, especially in front of others. However, you are dedicated to your work and helping your team. Maintaining that despite challenging feedback shows real strength of character. Your every step is counting while your experiences and emotions matter. How has this affected your confidence in your abilities and role there?
@ASilentObserver
I missed that other thread.. but a big stresser for me is when my parent(s) are late coming home from being out -I think there's some one elese i created the other month when Dad went to a densit appointment and mom went to a landruomat and the plan was for her to be back around 1pm for our fruit and smoothies "when she got back" but it was about 2pm before she got back -I got so anxious I had to call her at the laundry mat.
A new stresser is helping a going blind friend get home from the mall when I go to the mall on Saturdays. I'm getting so tired of the mall that I'm going to skip it for a couple of weeks (despite her being kind of disappointed). But I'm the only one of her friends who allows her to hold my arm to be able to get places (ie to the bus stop, or up the hill to her apartment)
@Disneywoman It sounds like waiting for your parents to return home and helping your friend get around can both be sources of stress and anxiety. The uncertainty of not knowing exactly when they'll be back seems difficult. You care deeply about your friend and family. How have you been coping with these feelings as they come up?
@ASilentObserver the only thing stressful about the friend business is how on the weekends the buses back to our towns are notarious late. Like there should be a bus at 5mins after the hour (3pm,/4pm) and yet 0 of our buses show up until the 21min bus shows up at 3;25/4:25pm.
I don't have a way of coping with eather problem at all.
@Disneywoman I hear how frustrating it must feel to have unreliable bus schedules, leaving you stressed about getting back home on weekends. That feeling of lack of control over transportation can be difficult to cope with. What thoughts go through your mind as you wait for the later bus?
@ASilentObserver Mostly that a car accident or somekind of incident must have happened on the road somewhere between where the bus comes from (and its coming from a long way away), and where my friend and I are.
@Disneywoman I hear you Disney. It sounds concerning to be waiting for your friend's bus and wondering if an incident may have occurred. You must feel unsure while awaiting their arrival. We are all here with you to support. Sending virtual hugs, if okay <3
@ASlientObserver- techinally the friend's bus is the same as my bus but I have to get off the bus with my friend to help her get home because the bus stop to get off is across and down the hill from her apartment and since she's blind she needs help. So after I get her to her apartment I go down the same hill and across the same street to get the next bus home and the following bus I get can also be late sometimes I haven't gotten home until like maybe after 6pm? And yet my parents get worried when that happens and yet they critize me for worrying when they're "later then expected to be".
@Disneywoman It sounds like a caring commitment to support your friend in getting home safely each day. Helping others can be rewarding but also adds responsibilities to your schedule. You certainly care deeply about your friend, and it's understandable your parents would want you home as well. You are a compassionate soul, Disney!
Currently that main source would be Professors who are not responding to my emails! 😓
And 2nd one would be my family who are being unreasonable in supporting my career choice 😣
@Seleni919,
That's so hard! I am so sorry. I relate to professors not responding to emails. It is so hard when you try to communicate and others don't :(
@Camille32022
Thank you for understanding my situation. I hope and pray that Allah will give me more patience in handling these situations. They might have their own reasons for not responding but my overall situation is just making me desparate.
@Seleni919,
I wish you the best of luck. May Allah hear you and guide you.💜
Thank you for your wishes @Camille32022
@Seleni919 It sounds like not receiving responses from your professors and a lack of support from your family about your career choice has left you feeling frustrated and discouraged. You are resilient in pursuing your goals despite facing obstacles. What thoughts have you had about how to care for yourself as you work through this challenging time?
@ASilentObserver
Yes you are right all this stuff has made me frustrated and demotivated. But I try to keep motivating myself as much as I can. I don’t have specific thoughts about caring for myself but I do try to share my feelings with some of my close friends to get mental support. I wish I could get more help and encouragement from my surrounding environment. It's hard to remain positive in a constant negative environment like you can't always pretend to be not hearing their hurtful words by just covering your ears.
But thank you for your encouragement and trusting in me.
These positive words really mean a lot to me.
@Seleni919 Thank you Seleni. I am glad you are opening up and reaching out. It is a good step. It sounds like you've been facing a lot of negativity in your environment and it's leaving you feeling frustrated and demotivated. Sharing your feelings with close friends and motivating yourself as much as you can shows great strength and self-care. You deserve to feel encouraged, and I'm glad my words could provide some small measure of that.
@ASilentObserver
I really appreciate your encouraging words. I hope 7 cups community will provide me the positive environment that I truely need.
Best wishes for you and all the amazing members who are always trying their best to create a healthy and happy environment in 7 cups! ☺️
@Seleni919 Aww, thank you for sharing your appreciation for the encouraging community here. It sounds like finding a positive and supportive environment is helpful and significant to you. I'm glad you've found comfort here and I hope you continue to progress and heal. What kinds of support have you found most helpful during challenging times?
@ASilentObserver
I find mental support through positive and motivating words very helpful to me during challenging times. It boosts my self confidence in handling hard situations.
@Seleni919 I'm glad to hear positive and motivating words have been helpful for you during challenging times. It sounds like finding ways to boost your self-confidence is important.
I think the most stress in my life comes from the expectations I put on myself and well as my family put on me. I am generally anxious about everything and overthink.
My health also is a big stress always trying to weigh pros and cons. It's been stressful waiting for care for a year and a half in a hospital. Living in a hospital has a lot of stress generally.
@AutiBoy That sounds like a very stressful situation to be living in a hospital environment for so long while waiting for care. The expectations you described from yourself and family also seem burdensome at times. You seem resilient working to manage your health and well-being. How have you found ways to cope or take care of yourself through this challenging time?
Short answer
Take it slow and stay in the moment as well as escape into something I'm doing.
Long answer
Take it moment by monument where possible. Take it day by day where needed. Take it longer only when planning is necessary. Time is not promised I live for the moment. Look straight ahead for hope. Not that long to go now I got a placement and I'm moving 27th of November. I got through by keeping picking myself up. The fall is not important the after is. Many many headphones/ear defenders to block out noise. Get away any way I can an audiobook, VR and projects anything I can put my whole self into.
Loosing our flat. We have a lot of trouble with the neighbors about our pets (2 parrots, 2 cats) and the building supervisor has warned us we could be evicted when this does not get better. We are tight monewise at the moment so finding a new flat and moving would be very difficult at the moments. This is very worrisome 😥 hope to make it till next year when the possibility will open up for our own house.
@BeCreative1967 It sounds like you're going through a very stressful situation with the possibility of losing your home. Not having stable housing during these times must feel overwhelming. You mentioned hoping to find your own house next year - is there anything in the present helping you maintain hope for the future?
Please know you are not alone in facing challenges, and we are all here with you to listen to and support you. It's okay to feel worried - this sounds like a lot to deal with. You seem determined to find a solution, and that strength will serve you well in the days ahead.
Mostly family. Most of my life problems are related to family one way or the other.
@ChillingRain It sounds like family relationships can be challenging at times. What kinds of feelings come up for you regarding your family situations? You're not alone in experiencing difficulties with family - many people can relate to complex family dynamics.
