When things get stressful, my first instinct is to::

Keep going and try to get more done

Tighten up and prepare to handle whatever comes

Shut down, procrastinate, or avoid the situation

Focus on keeping other people comfortable or supported

When trying to rest or nap I sometimes feel:

Uneasy… like I should be doing something useful

Hard to trust, as if I need to stay alert

Feel guilty, numb or detached

Like I can only relax once everyone else is okay

When under stress, my body often feels:

Wired, driven, and unable to fully power down

Tense through my jaw, shoulders, or stomach

Low-energy, numb, or distant

Exhausted but still showing up for everyone else

Friends often describe me as:

Driven, highly capable and always getting things done

Strong, direct, or hard to shake

Quiet,self-contained, or difficult to read

Caring, dependable and supportive

When strong emotions arise, I usually:

Stay busy so I don’t get overwhelmed

Feel irritation, defensiveness, or intensity

Withdraw and go quiet inside

Turn my attention to someone else’s feelings

When I finally have free time, I usually:

Fill it with errands, work, or catching up

Stay mentally on guard or look for problems to solve

Zone out on my phone, TV, or sleep

Check in on someone or take care of something for them

Conflict or tension around me makes me:

Work harder to fix or manage the situation

Stand firm and protect my position

Pull away or emotionally disappear

Smooth things over so everyone feels okay

I feel safest when:

I’m accomplishing something measurable

I’m prepared and in control of outcomes

Nothing is being asked of me

The people around me are calm and happy

My biggest ongoing challenge is:

Burnout or never feeling fully rested

Constant tension or frustration in my body

Lack of motivation or follow-through

Feeling drained from giving too much

When I wake up already tired, I usually:

Push through and keep my schedule anyway

Feel annoyed that I can’t rely on my body

Want to stay in bed or avoid the day

Still show up for what others need

My thoughts tend to:

Race ahead to the next responsibility

Scan for risks, mistakes, or problems

Be foggy, scattered, or far away

Focus on other people’s wellbeing

I rarely allow myself to feel:

Completely still with nothing to prove

Soft, vulnerable, or unguarded

Fully present and energized

Important enough to come first

Receiving help or support feels:

Slowing… like I should handle things myself

Unnecessary unless things are truly serious

Difficult to accept or respond to

Uncomfortable because I’m used to giving

Deep down, I measure my worth by:

How much I accomplish or produce

How strong or self-reliant I am

How well I endure or get through things

How needed or appreciated I feel

If I stopped my usual coping pattern, I worry:

Everything would fall behind or collapse

I’d lose control or get hurt

I might disappear completely

I would disappoint someone

Right now, my body is quietly asking for:

Permission to truly stop and rest

Permission to soften and feel safe

Permission to gently come back to life

Permission to matter too