The questioner: The present is good! Be grateful for the opportunity to connect.
From what you've said, I get the feeling you have a strong sense of responsibility and pressure. They're two sides of the same coin, and you're struggling to find a balance between them at the moment. It seems like this sense of responsibility is necessary, but sometimes it causes anxiety and pressure, which bothers you a little, right?
Let's talk about this together!
Look at it from a different angle.
In your description, you said, "Whenever things are going well, I think that things always develop in cycles, that if something good passes, something bad will come."
Do things always have to develop in cycles? If something good comes to an end, does something bad have to follow?
What's good and what's bad? Could what's seen as "bad" actually be good feedback from another perspective?
For instance, when Edison was trying to invent the light bulb, he tried out lots of different materials. It might seem like they all failed, but if we look at the result from a different perspective, it's just feedback telling us that this material isn't suitable. It's not "bad."
Even if something bad is on the way, are you freaking out inside, or are you excited for it to happen so you can become a better, more thoughtful person? How you perceive these things and what you think they mean to you makes a big difference.
These interpretations also affect how you feel, what you do, and what you choose to do.
The rest of your description is spot on. "When things are going very badly, even when you're swamped at work, you still feel stable. You know the problems have been identified and you're confident you can solve them." It seems like you can adjust your perspective on problems and also have the ability to solve problems. These abilities make you feel internally stable and secure.
Record these experiences and feelings so that when you're overwhelmed again, you can look back and remind yourself that you have what it takes to solve the problem, that there's no need to be anxious or afraid, and that you can take your time. This process requires you to first become aware of yourself, then remind yourself to relax, and connect with these past moments.
2. Find a balance.
"Even when I'm doing something I'm interested in or working, there's a lot of pressure. On the plus side, I take my responsibilities seriously, but I also put a lot of pressure on myself, and sometimes I even want to quit." In fact, responsibility and pressure are one and the same thing. What motivates you to get things done within your control is responsibility, while what interferes with and affects you beyond your control is pressure.
We need to find a balance here, to stay aware and open.
When we feel stressed or don't want to do something, it's important to pay attention to our inner thoughts and ideas. What would happen if we messed up? Does it affect us a lot? Is there a way to fix it?
If things aren't as perfect as you expected, with a little "white space," can you accept it? Will it affect the overall situation?
Can you accept and allow yourself to be imperfect? Did you gain anything from the process? What was it?
Regardless of the result and whether it meets expectations, do you regret the process?
As long as you gave it your all along the way, the result is not that important. It's just a summary and presentation of your entire process. Of course, there are also external factors that interfere and influence, which is out of your control. If you have no regrets about the process, then you will have no regrets about the result.
It's like a work of art. Having some parts left blank rather than filling the entire picture is actually more balanced and true.
Try to find a balance between responsibility and pressure. When you feel pressure, take a step back and look at what you've already done and gained. Shift your focus to the process rather than the outcome, and you'll slowly find balance.
3. Give yourself the green light.
"Even if something is satisfactorily completed, you may still feel sad because it's over." I don't understand why you would feel sad, but I feel more like crying from happiness. It will be hard to say goodbye to something you've worked so hard on.
At the same time, you need to start the next thing, and your heart will feel a little strange, worried, and anxious. All these feelings mixed together can make you feel sad, right?
Let any feelings that come up in your body be there, even if you're not sure why. They're there for a reason. Let yourself feel sad, and at the same time, give yourself some recognition, appreciation, and affirmation for the process. Make a summary, and do something you enjoy to formally say goodbye to this completed thing, so that there is a sense of ritual, so that you can psychologically transition and start again.
Perhaps my answer didn't fully address the question you were trying to ask, and there might be some other questions you still need to explore. Everything here is designed to help you understand yourself better and make any necessary adjustments.
Life is meant to be experienced. Welcome all that happens, welcome all the people who come into your life. The key is to relax, allow and accept, and you'll find your inner peace and joy.
I hope my answer is helpful to you, and I wish you the best!
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling that way. It's like riding a roller coaster of emotions, constantly expecting the next drop even when you're at the top. The cycle of ups and downs teaches us to prepare for the worst, but it's exhausting always being on high alert. Yet, in those moments of calm, there's an odd comfort knowing challenges are out in the open.
The pressure we put on ourselves can be heavier than any external force. Even in our leisure activities, we sometimes lose sight of the joy because we strive for perfection. It's tough when what once was a source of happiness starts to feel like a chore, stripping away its original charm. We just want to enjoy without overthinking.
It's funny how receiving good things can also weigh us down. It feels like a doubleedged sword, where every gift or compliment comes with invisible strings attached. Perhaps it's the fear of not being able to reciprocate or live up to expectations. I think it shows we care deeply about balance and fairness.
Sometimes, it's hard to celebrate our achievements because we immediately focus on what went wrong or could be better. That drive for improvement is both a blessing and a curse. It pushes us forward but can also make us overlook our successes. Maybe we need to learn to give ourselves credit more often.
There's this lingering anxiety about fully expressing our concerns. It's as if no matter how much we say, it never seems enough. We worry that others won't understand or appreciate the depth of our thoughts. It's frustrating when you pour your heart out, yet doubt lingers whether the message truly resonates.