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How to Be Okay When Life Feels Overwhelming with Liz Fosslien

Mar 7, 2025

Liz Fosslien, an expert on emotions and author of "Big Feelings," explores how to navigate life’s emotional overwhelm. She debunks myths about negative emotions, emphasizing their value in personal growth. Liz discusses perfectionism as a barrier to authenticity and shares practical strategies like time chunking to handle anxiety. She highlights the importance of self-acceptance over striving for unattainable ideals, encouraging a healthier perspective on uncertainty. Tune in for insights on transforming big feelings into opportunities for growth!

56:43

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Episode guests

Liz Fosslien

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Acknowledging and processing negative emotions like anger and envy can empower individuals to constructively address their feelings rather than suppress them.

Accepting that uncertainty is an inherent part of life helps individuals feel more grounded and reduces the anxiety associated with unpredictable outcomes.

Recognizing perfectionism as a barrier to progress allows individuals to set achievable goals and fosters healthier self-perceptions by embracing growth over fear of failure.

Deep dives

Understanding Emotions and Thoughts

Many people experience thoughts that lead to negative emotions, such as the desire to escape difficult feelings or situations. While thoughts are influential, they may not always guide individuals to effective solutions for deeper emotional issues. Emotions often stem from underlying factors that require acknowledgment and processing rather than avoidance. Therefore, understanding that emotions are normal and acknowledging them can be a vital part of emotional health.

Intro

2min

Navigating Emotions in Overwhelming Times

2min

Navigating Emotions and Uncertainty

23min

Navigating Life's Challenges and Perfectionism

4min

Overcoming Perfectionism: Finding Value in Presence and Connection

3min

Navigating Habit Change and the Perils of Perfectionism

3min

Navigating Feedback Challenges

5min

Embracing Golf: A Blend of Sports and Culture

2min

Navigating Perfectionism and Comparison

17min

10.

Embracing Change and Community Support

6min

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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