Finding your rainbow: when the weight you carry becomes too much

“I’m fine.” Two little words that can hide an enormous weight. You get up. You do what needs doing. You look after everyone else, answer the messages, meet the deadlines and keep going.

But when everything becomes quiet, your mind gets louder.

Did I say the wrong thing? Have I done enough? What if something happens? Why can’t I relax?

Perhaps you have become so used to carrying that pressure that you hardly notice its weight, until one more small thing leaves you tearful, frustrated or overwhelmed.

That moment deserves understanding. It may be time to look at how much you are carrying, and what could help you put some of it down.

How full is your balloon?

Imagine, for a moment, that every worry adds a breath to an invisible balloon.

A difficult conversation. Another bill. Worry about your child. Pressure at work. Caring for someone you love. Saying yes when you desperately need to say, “I need a rest.”

Each adds a little more.

From the outside, people may see someone who is coping. Inside, you can feel stretched.

Then something seemingly small happens. You cannot find your keys. Someone asks another favour. A comment lands badly.

And suddenly, it all feels too much.

You might criticise yourself for your reaction. But perhaps that final incident was only the latest breath entering an already full balloon.

The balloon is a metaphor, of course. Stress and anxiety are more complex than something we can empty. Yet it gives us a useful question: Where is the pressure building, and what would help ease it?

Where does the rainbow come in?

A rainbow appears when sunlight meets raindrops. Rain and light can be present together. I find that a hopeful image.

You do not have to wait for every difficulty to disappear before you experience a moment of peace. You can be worried about someone you love and still allow yourself to rest. You can face uncertainty and take a confident next step.

Your rainbow might begin with sleeping a little better, asking for help, setting a boundary or enjoying something without feeling guilty.

Small changes can matter enormously when life has felt heavy.

How can hypnotherapy help?

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis, a state of focused attention alongside therapeutic suggestions agreed around your needs. It may include relaxation, imagery and mentally practising different ways of responding.

You remain in control. You can reject a suggestion, speak or stop the session. Some people picture things vividly; others notice sensations or simply follow the words. There is no requirement to “see” an image perfectly.

Using the balloon example, I might invite you to imagine a valve that you control. There is no need for a sudden bang. You decide how gently to release some pressure.

As you do, you might notice whether your shoulders soften, your jaw loosens, or you feel a little more settled.

The exercise allows you to practise easing tension. It does not remove the demands of everyday life, but it can become a way of pausing before responding to them.

A session might also include rehearsing a difficult conversation, imagining yourself asking for support or practising a calmer response to a familiar worry.

Research suggests hypnosis can help with some symptoms and situations, although the strength of the evidence varies. It is a possible complementary option, with individual results, rather than a guaranteed treatment for anxiety.

How does NLP fit into this?

NLP stands for neuro-linguistic programming. In coaching, NLP-informed exercises often explore the language we use, how we think about experiences and the responses we repeatedly practise.

Consider the difference between:

“I can’t cope with anything.” And “I am carrying too much today. What support would help me with the next step?”

The second statement acknowledges the difficulty while opening up a practical question.

Or take the thought: “Everyone will judge me.” We might gently explore: Who, specifically? What makes you think that? Are there people who have responded with kindness?

Questions like these can help you examine a sweeping prediction rather than automatically treating it as a fact.

Another exercise might involve remembering a time when you felt capable and exploring what helped you then. The purpose would be to identify resources you could draw on now.

It is important to distinguish these coaching exercises from claims that NLP is a proven treatment for an anxiety disorder. Research supporting NLP as a distinct health treatment is limited, so I believe in explaining each exercise clearly and reviewing whether it is useful for you.

Releasing pressure also means changing what fills the balloon

Relaxation can be valuable. So can asking why you have so little opportunity to recover.

Perhaps you need more support with caring responsibilities. Perhaps your workload needs attention. Perhaps you have become everyone’s first call while rarely giving yourself permission to ask for help.

A useful conversation might begin with: “What am I carrying that I no longer need to carry alone?”

The answer may involve a boundary, a practical change, professional support or a combination of these.

In my work, I want to understand what matters to you and what you would like to become easier. Together, we can explore appropriate ways to support that change and review your progress.

If anxiety is persistent, worsening or affecting daily life, speaking with your GP or a qualified mental health professional is important. Hypnotherapy and coaching should complement appropriate healthcare.

You deserve space to breathe

You do not have to reach a breaking point before your needs count.

You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to ask for support. You are allowed to care for yourself while caring for others.

Perhaps today, finding your rainbow begins with recognising how full your balloon has become, and choosing one small way to ease the pressure.

Today’s the day to take a little space for you.