Some feelings are simply daunting. They can become overwhelming, and the moment they hit, however that happens, your life can get pulled off track. Feelings are powerful. They can put your life on hold or take it in a direction you don’t want.
When these strong feelings show up, it’s easy to get caught up in questioning them. “Where did this come from? Why is it here today? Will it be gone tomorrow?” The more we ask, the more time and attention the feeling gets, and usually, that only makes it stronger.
Let’s take anxiety as an example. You get that pounding feeling in your chest. Your hands get a little sweaty. And deep down, you know it’s going to have an impact on what you do now, later, today, tomorrow, or however long it chooses to stay.
Now, imagine that anxious feeling is like a strong river, flowing right into your future. That river shows up every time the feeling starts to rise. And when the feeling gets strong, the river gets close. You can hear it. It’s gushing. And it’s just a few feet in front of you.
Now imagine that asking questions like “Where did this start?” is almost like dipping your toe into that river. You think, “If I just put one toe in, that’s fine. I can stay safe over here. I’m not really getting in, I’m just looking for answers.” But that’s not what happens. The second you make contact, you’re wet all over. You’re no longer standing safely on the side - you’re in it, trying to swim back.
Any contact with that water pulls you in, because the current is just that strong. And once you’re in, you’re at the mercy of the river. You’re going where it takes you, not where you had planned to go.
So what can you do?
You learn to swim and you learn when to float.
There are moments when swimming, moving with purpose, using every skill you’ve got, makes sense. But there are also moments when the best thing you can do is float. To stop fighting the current. To let go, breathe, and stay in the moment as the water moves around you. Floating doesn’t mean giving up. It means knowing when to conserve your energy, when to be gentle with yourself, and when to give things time and space to settle. Sometimes, staying afloat is the best thing you can do.
Feelings are not just feelings. They are powerful currents. You can’t pretend you can dip your toe in and stay dry. But you can learn to navigate them.
And that’s how we live a rich and full life - by learning to swim, and knowing when to float.