Have you ever found your tools don’t work in the moment? You’ve learned a new way of coping or responding to a situation, yet you feel completely lost when you’re actually in the moment? It’s called emotional hijacking. When triggered, we operate from a different part of our brain, making it hard to access the tools and clarity we have when we’re grounded.

You are so beautifully human. There have been times when I’ve felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to regulate myself, even after years of growth and healing. What’s helped me isn’t forcing calm but asking: What has worked for me before? And the answer is always personal. What works isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s unique to you.

This week, I invite you to reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed but found your way back to groundedness. And then write down:

• What helped? 
• What did I do, whether intentionally or not, that brought me back to a place of groundedness? Maybe it was a small thing—stepping outside, calling a friend, holding a warm cup of tea. Or something deeper — reminding yourself of more balanced ways of thinking, having a hard conversation, giving the situation some time and space, practicing trust in the unfolding of the situation…

The act of writing it down is powerful. It’s in the act of intentionally recognizing what works for you that can help you reinforce those neural pathways. And second, what works for you is unique to you and may look different in different moments though you may find a theme. What works for me or someone else may not work for you. I

I hope this week’s practice supports you in building a more accessible map back to yourself in those moments you need it most. For support in navigating stress and emotional overwhelm, therapy can be a space to explore what regulation looks like for you. If this speaks to you, let’s connect.

Warmly,
Elana