What's bothering you? List it on paper to get a better idea of how much — or how little — there is to address. Read the list out loud to yourself and adjust the list as need be. With assistance, deal with what's on the list - one thing at a time. In a short amount of time, the pressure from those pent up feelings will begin to subside. Eventually, as you learn new coping skills, that pressure will fade away.

How we deal with a problem has everything to do with how much better, or worse, we'll feel about it. Dealing with something in an unhealthy way doesn't usually solve the problem - and often makes it worse.

If you have control issues, the solution may have already presented itself, but you didn't allow it to happen because it wasn't going the way you wanted. Learning to go with the flow can be difficult, but well worth the effort when it means unburdening yourself of your issues.

Bad attention is good enough for those who aren't getting any attention. Be honest with yourself. If you're a bit of a drama queen, stop relying on others to give you zest and zing. Take time to nurture yourself while you work to resolve your problems.

Sometimes we meet needs in an unhealthy way because it's familiar to us. We're uncomfortable trying something new, even if it holds the promise of resolve. If this is what you're doing, perhaps it's time to address this deeper issue as well. In the meantime, be open and willing to trying new things in new ways.

Making changes doesn't mean opening every door and walking through without caution. It means looking at an idea with an open mind - and then deciding if it's something that might work for you. This can be anything from enlisting the help of a counselor to making new friends because the old ones are holding you back.

When we make changes in our lives, it has the potential to upset those around us. After all, we aren't doing as we've always done. True friends (and family) might be uncomfortable, but still supportive. If someone isn't supportive (and may even insist you return to your old ways), it's time to give them the space they need to deal with their own issues.