WTF Is Going On? How to Hear What Your Nervous System Is Trying to Tell You
Spoiler: It's not being dramatic. It's being your personal bodyguard who never got the memo about proportional responses.
The other day, I walked into a room, caught a tone in someone's voice, and felt that old familiar zing—like my internal alarm system just went BOOP BOOP BOOP for absolutely no logical reason. Nothing bad had happened. Nothing was technically "wrong." But my nervous system? Oh, it noticed.
This used to confuse the hell out of me. I'd think: Why am I reacting? Is this anxiety? Am I overthinking? Am I just being too sensitive? Did I accidentally drink four espressos again?
But now I know: That reaction wasn't random. It was information. Slightly paranoid, occasionally unhelpful information, but information nonetheless.
And the truth is, your body is always trying to keep you safe. It's not always accurate—in fact, sometimes it's like having a smoke detector that goes off when you make toast—but it is trying.
Your Nervous System Isn't Broken. It's Just... Really Enthusiastic About Safety
Most of us have been taught to ignore or override the early signals our nervous systems send. We power through. We rationalize. We stay calm on the outside even when something inside us is buzzing like a broken fluorescent light.
"I'm fine!" we say, while our shoulders are practically touching our earlobes and we're grinding our teeth like we're trying to start a fire.
But those subtle shifts? They're signs. Your nervous system has its own language—and when you learn to hear it, you stop gaslighting yourself out of your own truth. (Which, let's be honest, is exhausting and nobody has time for that.)
It's Not Just Fight or Flight (It's Also "WTF Just Happened?")
We all know the basics—fight, flight, freeze. But in real life, it's more like a choose-your-own-adventure book written by someone who's had way too much caffeine:
The Tiny Rage Explosion: Snapping at someone for leaving their coffee mug in the sink, then immediately thinking, "Who am I? Why did I just get personally offended by a piece of dishware?"
The Text Message Spiral: Spending 47 minutes crafting the perfect response to "Hey, how's it going?" because somehow every option sounds either too enthusiastic or like you hate them.
The Deer-in-Headlights Special: Someone asks what you want for lunch and suddenly your brain goes completely blank, like they just asked you to solve quantum physics while juggling.
The Smile-and-Nod-While-Dying-Inside: Agreeing to everything while your stomach ties itself into a pretzel and your throat feels like you swallowed a golf ball.
These aren't "overreactions." They're protective responses. Your system learned them somewhere—usually when you were shorter and had less control over your life—and now it runs them automatically, like that one friend who still brings up drama from 2019.
Your Body Isn't Trying to Ruin Your Day. It's Just Really Bad at Risk Assessment
When I work with clients who feel off, overwhelmed, or stuck in mental hamster wheels, one of the first things I do is slow everything down and ask: "What does your body know that your mind hasn't caught up to yet?"
Sometimes it's fear. Sometimes it's pressure. Sometimes it's just the accumulation of overstimulation that hasn't had anywhere to go—like emotional junk mail piling up in your system.
Whatever it is—it's not a flaw. It's not a sign of weakness. It's a sign that your internal security system is maybe a little too good at its job. Like having a guard dog that barks at leaves.
You Don't Have to Channel Your Inner Zen Master 24/7
Here's the plot twist: Regulation doesn't mean you never get upset or thrown off. It means you notice when it happens—and you know how to come back to yourself without needing a whole dramatic comeback tour.
That might look like:
Taking a breath before you respond (revolutionary, I know)
Putting your hand on your chest to check in instead of letting your brain run wild conspiracy theories
Saying "I'm not sure yet" instead of forcing a decision from your fight-or-flight state (which, spoiler alert, makes terrible decisions)
Noticing that the way you feel might not match the moment—and being curious instead of mean to yourself about it
Basically, treating yourself like you would a good friend instead of a hostile witness.
So... WTF Is Actually Going On?
Sometimes, honestly? Not much. Your nervous system just has opinions about everything. It's like having a really dramatic friend who thinks every minor inconvenience is a five-alarm emergency.
But the more you learn to listen—without immediately trying to fix, minimize, or argue with what you're feeling—the less time you spend in that weird spiral of "Am I crazy or is this actually happening?"
You start to move with your body instead of against it. Which, turns out, requires way less energy than constantly fighting with your own nervous system.
That's not weakness. That's wisdom. And honestly? It's what self-trust actually looks like when it's not trying to be Instagram-perfect.
If You're Craving Some Actual Clarity (Not the Pinterest Version)
Take a moment today—maybe right now—and ask yourself:
What feels tight? What feels soft? What feels off but I've been pretending it's fine because acknowledging it seems inconvenient?
Then instead of immediately jumping into solution mode, just listen. Sit with it for like 30 seconds. See what happens.
That's it. That's the beginning of everything. No meditation cushions or essential oils required (though if those help, go for it).
Your nervous system has been trying to tell you things for years. Maybe it's time to finally take the call.
Need help decoding your own signals?
Book a Clarity Session and let’s make sense of what your body’s been trying to say.
