Holding Life More Lightly: Finding Hope Through Perspective

Lately, many of the people I work with are feeling overwhelmed—by personal stressors, by uncertainty, and by the weight of what’s happening in the world around us. When life feels heavy, our instinct is often to grip tighter: to our thoughts, our opinions, our fears, and our sense of how things should be.

But what if, in the midst of difficulty, we could hold things just a little more lightly?

From a coaching perspective, one of the most powerful shifts we can make is learning to “zoom out.” When we are confronted with an obstacle, a stressor, or a deep sense of overwhelm, our nervous system narrows our focus. We become identified with our thoughts and emotions, believing that what we are experiencing is the whole story. Yet growth often begins when we gently step back and ask, What else might be true? What larger picture am I part of?

When we widen our lens, we start to see challenges not only as disruptions, but as invitations—opportunities for evolution, change, and deeper self-awareness.

This doesn’t minimize pain or bypass difficulty. Instead, it allows us to meet it with curiosity and compassion, rather than fear alone.

Zooming out can also mean expanding our perspective beyond our own lives. On a global level, we are witnessing an emerging awareness of social justice, of our shared humanity, and of the intrinsic interconnectedness of all life on this precious planet. When we hold this broader view, we loosen our identification with being “right” and open ourselves to understanding. We begin to recognize that each person’s beliefs and perspectives are shaped by their lived experiences.

This is where hope lives—not in denying what’s hard, but in remembering that we are part of something larger than our individual struggles.

As we learn to walk in one another’s shoes, tolerance grows. As compassion deepens, so does our capacity to respond rather than react.

In my work as an integrative health and wellness coach, I’ve seen how this shift in perspective can be profoundly healing. When we hold life more lightly and see ourselves as evolving beings within an interconnected world, we create space for resilience, growth, and the unfolding of our fullest potential—even in uncertain times.

A Practice for Zooming Out and Holding Things More Lightly

1. The Zoom-Out Pause (2–3 minutes)
When you notice yourself feeling overwhelmed, pause and place one hand on your heart or belly. Take three slow breaths, letting your exhale be slightly longer than your inhale.
Now ask yourself:

• What feels most heavy for me right now?
  

• If I zoomed out just 10%, what else might I see?
  Imagine your current challenge as part of a much larger landscape—your life over time, the people who support you, and the countless moments of growth you’ve already lived through. Notice if anything softens, even slightly.
  

2. Walking in Another’s Shoes
Think of someone whose perspective feels difficult to understand right now—personally or globally. Without trying to agree or disagree, gently ask:

• What experiences might have shaped their view of the world?
  

• What might they be protecting or longing for?
  This practice isn’t about changing your beliefs. It’s about loosening your grip on judgment and cultivating compassion—both for others and for yourself.
  

3. Reconnecting to the Bigger Picture
Close your eyes and imagine the web of connection you’re part of: your family, your community, the natural world, and the shared human desire for safety, belonging, and meaning. Silently repeat:
I am part of something larger than this moment.
Let this reminder anchor you when things feel uncertain.

Hope often begins not by fixing everything, but by remembering we don’t have to carry it all alone.