In this episode, Liz Fosslien discusses how to be okay when life feels overwhelming. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by emotions like anger, envy, or uncertainty—and then feel guilty for feeling that way? Liz challenges some of the biggest myths about emotions. She also dives into why negative emotions aren’t actually bad, how perfectionism holds us back, and why uncertainty feels so unbearable. She shares research-backed insights and actionable strategies to help us navigate difficult feelings in a more constructive and self-compassionate way.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 – Introduction to Big Feelings and Emotional Myths
05:55 – The Illusion of Certainty and Why We Overestimate Risk
14:37 – The Cycle of Anxiety, Thought Filtering, and Anxious Fixing
22:53 – Perfectionism as Fear of Failure and How to Break the Pattern
32:35 – The Power of Language: How “Always” and “Never” Reinforce Negative Thinking
38:39 – Comparison Isn’t the Problem—How to Use It for Growth
48:54 – Time Chunking: A Survival Strategy for Emotional Overwhelm
54:49 – Closing Thoughts: Accepting Big Feelings as Part of the Human Experience

For full show notes, click here!

If you enjoyed this episode with Liz Fosslien, check out these other episodes:

Embracing Emotions at Work with Liz Fosslien (2019)

Befriending Difficult Feelings with Adreanna Limbach

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