back to spring 2025 newsletter 
by Ursula Jorgensen, ATR-BC, LMFT

Overwhelm is often used to describe a feeling, but actually, overwhelm refers to a state of being. Even a race car that is built to go fast needs a pit stop so it does not overheat. When was the last time you allowed yourself a stop? No, as much as I am a fan of Starbucks, it doesn’t count! Coffee is more of a break or a reward. Most of the time coffee is neither. It is a bribe of caffeine to push through, keep moving, even speed up, for the day or task ahead. If you attended the latest two coffee talks you got to share some coffee or tea at Groovy Goose in San Carlos or a hot cup and smell some flowers at Bloomsgiving in Redwood City. An amazing time was had by all.

But let’s get back on track. When was the last time you just stopped? No agenda, multitasking usually with multiple devices, half listening to the dog snoring beside you or your partner trying to get your attention. It feels like we have forgotten how to sit still. More than that we fail to miss it or assign priority. Leading us to, you guessed it, a state of emotional and physical overwhelm.
 
I am here to remind you and give you permission if needed to know that Stillness Matters! Our compulsion to stay in motion is steadily encouraged by society, family, friends, colleagues and worst of all our own internal self judgement and restless mind. We feel the need to constantly be “doing”.
 
So today, this week, or this season try being the seed lovingly planted in the soil. The seed planted in soft earth is holding space in the stillness to open and take root. Be the child who sits still in quiet daydream planning their next adventure or a toddler planning their next step first in their mind.
 
Taking action is important and helps us move forward in our lives and our decisions. However, stillness is essential to reflect, evolve, expand the self and to be present. Let’s all make a mindful choice to choose stillness and inner peace over overwhelm and constant doing.