How To Manage Stress Alone: A Glass Of Water

In one of my recent social media reels, I spoke about this idea. I compared stress to a glass of water – and the act of simply putting it down for a moment as one of the most powerful things you can do.

When You Carry Stress Alone, It Compounds

We often think being “strong” means keeping things bottled up. Pushing through. Staying composed.

But strength isn't about silence.

The longer we try to manage stress alone, the more damaging it can be – emotionally, mentally and even physically. You don’t notice the toll straight away. It sneaks up on you: the irritability, the fatigue, the sense of being constantly “on edge”.

Over time, that glass of water isn’t just uncomfortable – it becomes unmanageable. And yet, so many of us still cling to it.

Signs You’re Holding Too Much (Even If You Think You’re Coping)

Sometimes we don’t even realise how much we’re carrying until something small tips us over. Here are a few signs you might need to “put the glass down”:

• You feel emotionally drained at the end of the day

• You’re overreacting to small things – snapping, withdrawing, zoning out

• You're struggling to sleep or waking up feeling tense

• You’re constantly saying “I’m fine” – but don’t believe it

• You dread silence, stillness, or moments alone with your thoughts

If any of these ring true, it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because you’ve been carrying that glass for too long.

Why Putting It Down Isn’t A Weakness – It’s a Strategy

Let’s be clear: putting down stress doesn’t mean avoiding it.

It means allowing yourself a break. It means acknowledging that you’re human, and that rest and release are part of resilience – not the opposite of it.

This could look like:

• Talking to someone who gets it

• Giving yourself permission to cry, vent, journal or just breathe

• Getting involved in a structured group space where you can offload and rebuild with support

This is exactly what I offer through my group sessions – safe, empowering spaces for young people, adults and professionals to let go of what’s weighing them down, and start picking things up with purpose.

🔗 Your Starting Point – Getting you started towards your goals, whilst identifying hidden barriers.
🔗 Empowerment – An intensive three-hour session that upskills and empowers adults.
🔗 Elevate Your Self-Esteem – For adults who wish to boost their confidence and obliterate self-doubt.

Now It's Your Turn To “Put The Glass Down”

You don’t need to wait until everything feels unmanageable. Here are a few small actions that can help you manage stress in the moment:

🧠 Name it – “I’m feeling overwhelmed right now. That’s okay.”
📱 Unplug – Put your phone in another room for 15 minutes and just sit.
🗣️ Voice it – Tell someone: “I’m not okay. I just need to offload.”
📄 Write it – Grab a notebook and dump everything you’re carrying out of your mind.
💬 Group it – Join a structured group where sharing doesn’t feel like burdening but like breathing.

When done regularly, these practices don’t just help release stress – they teach your brain that it’s safe to pause, express and reset.

What Happens When You Never Put It Down?

This part’s important. If we never learn to offload safely, stress turns toxic.

It can lead to:

• Chronic anxiety

• Burnout or complete emotional shutdown

• Physical issues like tension, migraines and fatigue

• A sense of hopelessness or emotional numbness

• Damaged relationships from unspoken pressure and snapping

This isn’t dramatic – it’s real. And it’s preventable. If more people understood that putting stress down is strength, we’d be living in a far more emotionally healthy world.

Why Group Coaching Works (Especially When You’re Struggling Alone)

Group coaching isn’t about sitting in a circle and talking endlessly about your problems. It’s about building a toolkit, with support. It’s about hearing someone else say, “Me too,” and feeling that weight lift just a little.

In sessions like Elevate Your Self-Esteem, Your Starting Point and Empowerment, I help people just like you:

• Understand their stress and emotional triggers

• Build confidence to speak up and ask for help

• Learn mindset tools that actually work

• Feel seen, understood and equipped – not “fixed”

Whether you’re a professional under pressure, a young person trying to stay afloat or someone who feels stuck carrying too much, there’s a place for you here.

Final Thought: The Power Of Pause

Just for today, try this: Visualise your stress as a glass of water in your hand. Feel the weight of it. Then give yourself permission to put it down – even just for five minutes.

You’ll be amazed how much lighter life can feel when you start to let go, one moment at a time.

🔗 Ready To Put It Down?

If this post struck a chord, maybe it's time to explore what putting it down could actually look like for you.

My coaching groups are small, safe and designed for real change. Explore what’s right for you:

• Elevate Your Self-Esteem – 90 minute session that will boost your confidence.

• Empowerment – 3 hour session that focused on resilience, mindset and empowerment.

• Your Starting Point – 1 hour session perfect for those getting started with their goals.

You don’t have to carry it alone anymore.