Im a letdown. I overthink, i get anxious. Its crippling me at work. My memory is messed up and if like the biggest idiot. Im tired of living like this everytime i get stressed. I dont want to wake up to another day. I want to sleep it away. I dont feel qualified to be a parent to my child because of how I am. I dont have the will to bounce back from challenges like before anymore.
Am i depressed or just plain useless.
Hi Lostsoul,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It’s tough when you’re struggling with overthinking, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. It sounds like you’re going through a lot right now.
Remember, you’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s important to be kind to yourself and seek support. I am wondering if you would be comfortable with the idea of talking to a therapist or counsellor? They may be able to provide valuable tools and strategies to help you manage your feelings and cope with stress.
You are qualified to be a parent, and your child loves you unconditionally. It’s okay to not feel perfect all the time. We all make mistakes and face challenges. What matters most is your love and dedication to your child.
Please don’t give up hope. There are people who care about you and want to help. Take things one day at a time, and remember that things can and will get better.
If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.
Dear Lostsoul,
Thank you for trusting us with such a raw and heartfelt glimpse into what you’re experiencing. I can feel how heavy these feelings are for you right now—feeling like a letdown, struggling with the weight of anxiety, and the fear of not being “enough” for your family or work. This is an overwhelming amount to carry, and I want you to know that you’re not alone in this; these feelings are often part of what it means to be human, especially when life feels beyond our control.
From what you’ve described, it sounds as if you’re managing not just stress but something deeper, something that feels like it’s sapping your energy, memory, and confidence. This ongoing exhaustion and sense of “crippling” anxiety are incredibly tough to bear on your own. Please know that needing a break or feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make you useless or unworthy—it just means you’re dealing with more than you can handle right now.
It’s common to turn these feelings inward, to feel like we’re somehow at fault for struggling. But the truth is, stress and feelings of self-doubt can affect us all. You are clearly someone who deeply cares about being a good parent and capable in your work, and that care is a sign of strength. These moments of self-doubt don’t define who you are or your worth; they’re part of what can happen when we’re carrying a lot and don’t have the support or tools to navigate it fully.
If it feels possible, perhaps consider focusing on small acts of kindness toward yourself, just as you would toward someone else who was feeling the way you do now:
What you’re feeling doesn’t mean you’re failing or “useless.” You’re simply human, navigating a difficult time, and needing help is part of that. Many people face similar struggles, and there is a path through this.
Please be gentle with yourself, even as you take things one small step at a time. There’s strength in seeking support, and you deserve to feel lighter and more in control of your life. Keep reaching out; people care about you and are here to support you through this journey.
Hi @Lostsoul 
! Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. You seem to be exhausted and overburdened by the amount of weight you’re carrying at the moment. Please understand that experiencing worry and anxiety does not indicate your lack of value; rather, it just indicates that you are a human being coping with issues that seem larger than yourself. Being a good parent isn’t about being flawless; it’s about showing up and doing your best, despite how difficult it may seem. Even if you can’t see it now, it requires strength. There is support and hope for recovery, and you are not alone in this. Keep going; you deserve help and time to recover.
Hi, thank you for responding. I think the issues i have have snowballed for many years and I never quite addressed them or learnt how to deal with it. So everytime i have a misstep i feel like i get extremely harsh and self critical with myself. I have tried to seek psychiatric help before but it only lasted a session because I felt like I didnt have the time for therapy and advice is very theoretical, waiting time and other reasons.
Maybe a part of me wants a quick fix or an assuring listening ear who truly understands me in the moment of worthlessness and validate me. I am still unsure if therapy would truly help and its not cheap but maybe I need some form of help somehow. Any advice please.
Hi @Lostsoul,
Thanks for sharing your feelings and opening up about your struggles. You sound like you’ve been having a really hard time recently, and it must be quite overwhelming. I think the fact that you are able to recognise your anxious feelings and overthinking already shows a great deal of self-awareness, and that’s very commendable. But something I tell myself whenever I am in a similar emotional state is that “this too shall pass”.
I definitely relate to what you said about issues snowballing and going unaddressed. I think I tend to shove my feelings under the carpet and hope they go away, especially when life carries on and the issue / emotions at hand seem so much less urgent in the moment. And yes, they do build up overtime, and there could be a moment where it becomes all too much and you experience a “crippling” moment. Sometimes people think that these moments need to be some big events that pushes a person over the edge, but honestly, I think it can be the smallest intrusive thought that just pops into your head after hearing someone say something, or a tiny harmless mistake you made at work. And I’ve also been there where I just want to sleep it off and wake up to a “fresh new day” and just yknow “reset” my emotional state but overtime it can be exhausting holding on to so much.
I don’t have specific advice on how to learn to be better at addressing your thoughts and feelings before they become overwhelming, but I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone in this struggle! Navigating what goes on in our heads isn’t always simple, and it’s okay to need some help and support to do it. Everyone needs support, not always professional help, but it’s not something you have to do alone. Sometimes, just putting these thoughts and feelings into words, by ranting to a trusted friend or family member, can help you cope better in the moment.
I share your concern that therapy is costly and time-consuming. And I also agree that it can be quite theoretical, but I think there is room to communicate with your counsellor on what you want from your sessions, and perhaps just be direct and ask for more practical advice on what you can do. There is definitely no quick fix because healing and recovering takes time and commitment. I like to think of it as even mosquito bites take a few days to go away. And when you scrape your knee you probably end up with a scar if you keep picking at your scabs. Mental health works the same way, but all the processes is just less visible. If you’re concerned about the costs / time, here are some free online resources available, I’m hoping they are helpful to you:
Once again, you’re already doing an amazing job! Take care!!
Hi @lostsoul,
Thank you for sharing what you’re going through. It sounds like there’s a lot you’ve carried for a long time, and it’s completely understandable that these feelings have accumulated over the years. I want to emphasize that being harsh or self-critical in response to missteps is more common than you might think—especially when we haven’t had the space or tools to process our past experiences.
I hear that part of you is seeking immediate support and understanding, while another part is hesitant about committing to therapy due to time, cost, and the sense that it might be more theoretical than practical. Those are very valid concerns, and it’s great that you’re considering what would work best for you right now.
As mentioned by @fifteendaffodils, here are more free resources for your consideration.
Looking forward to your adopting any of the above options, do let us know how you have progressed?