RE: Identifying triggers that destabilize my emotions is key to maintaining balance and well-being.

Sorry to hear you have had to deal with heartbreak and health issues. I've had to deal with it myself in the past and recently had to help my oldest son get through a terrible breakup. I can say the only thing worse than going through the hurt of a breakup is having to watch a loved one (my son) go through it.

In my 20s I escaped with funny anime (or sometimes bittersweet ones). Video games and music also helped immensely. "Tourist Trap" (song) by Crumbacher got me through many dark nights. As did playing "Warcraft III".

You did highlight an important point though. Seeing the mental trap of what you are going through as just that a trap and finding coping mechanisms is incredibly important. Also understanding your personal limitation and not trying to be everything for everyone is important to. A person can only do so much and trying to overexert yourself will never end well. If that means saying NO to someone and hurt their feelings then that is the course you must take. Just try to do it in the nicest possible way and try to repair things when you are strong again :)

One last thing that I can see through the lens of time....God has a plan for me and even in my darkest times he was looking out for me. Praying is important (even if it doesn't feel like it) and another song "In the Hands of God" by the Newsboys means a lot to me as I get older.

Being old doesn't mean the troubles don't come (as much as I wish it would) but it does mean that I have learned better coping techniques.

I hope you develop them as well.

Thanks for sharing.