Over the past few years, I've noticed that overwhelm rarely looks like a breakdown.
For many fathers, it looks like disconnection.
You become quieter.
More distant.
Less patient.
Physically present, but mentally somewhere else.
Work.
Bills.
Responsibilities.
Problems waiting to be solved.
The mistake many fathers make is trying to carry the entire day at once.
Everything.
Every problem.
Every responsibility.
At the same time.
What helps me is remembering:
"I don't need to carry everything right now. Just what's directly in front of me."
One conversation.
One moment.
One responsibility.
Clarity returns when we stop carrying more than the present moment requires.