Hello!
I am new here as well!
I am also a grad student!
I feel the same. I have the same urge to just procrastinate when I have so much to do. I have the same stomach tightening. What works for me is to-do lists. Then I can chunk out all of the responsibilities and make myself feel more accomplished by crossing off the list. I am still working on how to handle the stomach stuff. I feel deep breaths do a lot for me. It doesn't cure it but it makes me feel better!
Hope this helps and you're not alone!

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Competition is not a problem. What you do to keep your balance, writing out a schedule with down time, keeping track of staying hydrated consistently, and doing physical activity to refresh your mind and body will help you stay in a better balance.

To-do lists are a great idea. I was in a group where the therapist told us that checking an item off of a to-do list actually releases a shot of dopamine in the brain. It's also a way to work methodically through the things that need to get done rather than just flailing around in "how much" needs to get done. And, sometimes, indulge that urge to crawl into bed. Self-care and rest is super important... you can even make naps or whatever rewards for getting something done.

Be kind to yourself. You deserve it. And there are people here to listen, so vent away.

aw i’m really sorry you are feeling so down. just know your feelings are so valid and it is ok to feel how you do about life right now. gentle hugs and a reminder of how worthy and important and capable you are. be gentle with yourself xxx

Hello Avo. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

I go ahead and scream into the void when I am feeling whelmed. The cathartic value of a well-channeled scream into the void can be tremendous. I most often have a guitar strapped to my torso when I channel those screams. The live tones moving from my guitar's sound box into my torso provide a sonic massage that help to relieve the residual physics of the stress.

Once the whelming eases, I start rattling the lines of my therapy support network to get my frustrations and confusions into words to get a handle on whatever ^it^ is rattling my serenity today. Let the remediation begin. This very forum is one of the lines on my therapy support network. It helps to know I am not alone with ^it^.

I hope you'll feel safe venting and sorting your own confusions here. You are not alone. Listening. . . Welcome aboard.

Love a good, sustained scream. The release I get from it really helps me reset.

Thank you all for your replies. This is making me feel a lot less alone. Thank you.

Hi there, I have to echo what has been said here. Taking the day as it comes, but also having a to do list. Concentrate on one thing at a time and focus on that topic or item. It is good to cross off the list. I heard from a therapist one time that it is good to take one day at a time, but you can also take it one hour at a time or even 30 minutes at a time. Smaller chunks of time are more manageable. Celebrate the small victories. Also, another thing that helps me is writing out three or fours things every morning that I am grateful for. Nothing is too small for that list. Make a gratitude list. This always helps me! I hope this helps you too!