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Vanessa Gunter's avatar

Thank you so much for this. It's so nice to find others who struggle with "too much" sensitivity. I've been this way for as long as I can remember and I really do feel too sensitive for this life, every day. Overwhelm is common, tears are common, beating myself over the head - common. But with age and insight and - this is really important - nervous system work, things are more settled now than they have been in a while. And btw - your hair looks beautiful. :)

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Christine Wolf's avatar

You're welcome, Vanessa -- and thank you ;) . So happy to hear that things are more settled now. Enjoy the peace and joy that brings.

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C.'s avatar

Oh Christine! How happy I am for you! And how much this all resonated! Those of us so attuned to pain can forget the joy so easily. My sister tells me the feeling of anxiety is also anticipation. Thank you for sharing your process. It touched my heart and also in some magical way connected me back to the magic of that Highlights week, the first time I felt so seen with people like me. You are also seen. You are super and have the best wedding!!! Much love!

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Christine Wolf's avatar

SO GREAT TO remember that Highlights residency week! Life-changing, right??? Wishing you ALL the best. xoxoxo

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Ilia Beecher's avatar

So timely for me- I said nearly the exact same words (though not as eloquently!) to my daughter recently. She is 25 and starting to feel the weight of life. Luckily, she is way more capable than I was at 25. I'm proud that I survived my overwhelm so that I can be there for her. I hope you are proud of yourself too!

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Christine Wolf's avatar

SO great to see your name, Ilia! And thank you for your beautiful words. All the best to you and your daughter. ARGH, the twenties felt like such an unsettled time for me... I'm so proud of both of us for pushing through. xoxo

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Jaymi “the OC BookGirl”'s avatar

Thank you for sharing. Yesterday was a weird one - was it a full moon?! I love your honesty and the kindness to yourself in your responses. I like the idea of calling myself a drama queen when the “I always” or “I’ll never” thoughts hit.

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Christine Wolf's avatar

You're so welcome, Jaymi! I have plenty of insecurities to share, lol! So happy you connected with those words. Drama queens unite!

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Chicago Story Press's avatar

Lovely piece. You are a tremendous role model. Love your compassionate approach to managing your feelings of overwhelm. (And your hair looks great.) 😊

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Christine Wolf's avatar

Wow. Thank you so much!

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Jennifer L.W. Fink's avatar

I really appreciate you sharing your process. Often, i spend too much time spinning around in the overwhelm. I hope I remember to stop and write it all out next time, as a first step.

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Christine Wolf's avatar

I'm so glad the process resonated with you. I like to *try* to remember that it's a process, not an end-goal. Even that small act of pausing to empty my brain with a list pulls me out of the spin. There's science behind why this works, and I teach it in my expressive writing workshops. I love seeing the benefits in my own life. I'm confident you'll try writing next time you feel overwhelmed. When you do, I hope you'll let me know if it helped!

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Deborah Francis's avatar

What a powerful ride in your mind this was to read and witness your self-actualization. I took this trip and am still fighting to regulate after a 4-month trip of it. I could have benefitted from your solution which was to pause and prioritize. I won't forget this powerful example on how to.

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Christine Wolf's avatar

Thank you for reading, Deb, and for sharing your own struggles. So many people deal with so many things we just can’t see. I appreciate you. Keep sticking with this life. It needs you.

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Linda McAvoy's avatar

I think I'd like to upgrade to paid and ask you for help with where to go with my memoir about my son's psychosis and how to get it finished . Maybe you would be able to advise me.

(Not sure how to upgrade 😕 techno phobe!)

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Christine Wolf's avatar

Hi Linda,

Thank you for reading.

I’d be happy to schedule a call to learn more about your memoir. I offer free 20-minute Zoom consults or discounted hourlong sessions. To schedule, please send me a message at www.christinewolf.com/contact.

And, to upgrade your subscription (which would mean the world to me), please click here: https://christinewolf.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks again for reaching out.

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Linda McAvoy's avatar

Thanks. That post really spoke directly to me today. I've been feeling like that recently, overwhelmed by stuff and struggling . Thanks for the great advice

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Christine Wolf's avatar

You’re welcome. I think a lot of us are feeling it. Glad this might help a little.

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