Starting the New Year When the World Feels Unsteady from CPJ Counseling Services
- CPJ Counseling Team
- Jan 1
- 5 min read
Finding calm when your nervous system is already tired
The New Year often comes with a message to push forward. New goals. New habits. New expectations. But many people are entering this year already feeling worn down.
Across the United States, stress has been high for a long time. Rising costs of living, ongoing political tension, constant news alerts, and concerns about safety and stability have left many people feeling emotionally tired. Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, the body may still feel on edge.
If you notice that you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, it may show up in quiet but uncomfortable ways. You might feel low in energy but unable to rest. You may notice yourself pacing, checking your phone often, or feeling uneasy for no clear reason. Some people describe feeling foggy, emotionally flat, or distant from the people around them, even though they want to feel close.
This does not mean something is wrong with you. For many people, it means the nervous system has been under stress for a long time and has not had space to settle.
When Stress Becomes the Background Noise of Daily Life
Many people have learned how to function while stressed. They go to work, care for family, manage responsibilities, and keep moving forward, even when their body feels tense inside. Over time, stress can blend into daily life. It stops feeling like a response and starts feeling like the baseline.
This can look like feeling uneasy when things slow down, feeling irritated by small changes, or having trouble sleeping even when exhausted. Some people feel constantly alert, while others feel shut down or emotionally numb. Neither response means you are doing something wrong. Both are ways the nervous system tries to protect you when it does not feel fully safe.
According to the American Psychological Association, stress levels in the United States remain high, especially related to finances, work pressure, and uncertainty about the future. When stress becomes chronic, the body stays prepared for danger even when there is no immediate threat.
At CPJ Counseling Services, we focus on helping the nervous system return to a sense of safety rather than asking people to push through what their body is signaling.
The Safe and Sound Protocol at CPJ Counseling
The Safe and Sound Protocol, also known as SSP, is a listening-based nervous system service offered at CPJ Counseling as a standalone option. It is designed for people who want support for stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm without traditional talk therapy.
SSP uses specially filtered music, delivered through a guided and structured process, to support nervous system regulation. The goal is to help the body move out of constant alert mode and into a greater sense of calm and balance. Many clients describe the experience as their body finally being able to exhale.
SSP does not require talking about past experiences or processing emotions verbally. For some people, this makes it feel more accessible, especially if therapy feels overwhelming or if words are hard to find right now.
At CPJ Counseling, SSP is offered through telehealth and guided by trained clinicians. Clients begin with a consultation and intake, followed by listening sessions and optional check-ins depending on their selected service tier. This structure allows clients to move at a pace that feels steady and supportive.
Who May Benefit from SSP
SSP may be a good fit if you feel like your nervous system never fully turns off, if daily stress feels heavy, or if your body stays tense even when life is relatively calm. It can also support people who feel socially drained, emotionally fatigued, or disconnected from themselves or others.
Some clients choose SSP because they want nervous system support without therapy. Others choose it because they want something predictable, gentle, and guided. SSP meets people where they are, without requiring them to push or explain more than they are ready to.
A Gentle Practice to Support Your Nervous System
You may want to try this short grounding practice during your day. Pause for one minute. Place your feet on the floor. Take a slow breath in through your nose and a longer breath out through your mouth. Let your shoulders soften slightly. Look around and notice one thing that feels steady or familiar.
Small moments like this help the nervous system learn that it does not need to stay on alert.
Moving Into the New Year with Support
If you feel tired of carrying stress on your own, support is available. The Safe and Sound Protocol offers a structured, listening-based way to support your nervous system without talk therapy.
CPJ Counseling Services also offers Counseling, EMDR, EMDR Intensives, Polyvagal Therapy, and Clinical Supervision and Consultation for those seeking additional or different forms of care. You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Meet the CPJ Counseling Team
Our clinicians work with teens, young adults, adults, and seniors through telehealth services. Each provider brings training, compassion, and a commitment to helping clients feel safe, understood, and supported.
Carlissa Fennell, LPC
Teens & Young Adults | SSP Practitioner
Carlissa Fennell is a compassionate therapist and SSP practitioner who helps teens and young adults overcome anxiety and life challenges through holistic, person-centered support.
Cherrelle Davis, LRIC
Young Adults & Teens
Cherrelle Davis supports teens and young adults through compassionate, collaborative therapy that helps them build confidence, manage stress, and navigate life’s challenges with clarity and growth.
Mayelyn Matos Medina, MSW
Adults & Seniors | Bilingual Counselor |Trauma-Informed Care
Mayelyn Matos Medina is a bilingual therapist dedicated to helping adults and seniors find healing, resilience, and emotional balance through compassionate, culturally sensitive care.
Jettie Norfleet, LPC
Clinical Supervisor & Integrative Therapist
Jettie Norfleet is an EMDR certified therapist and SSP practitioner who guides individuals through healing, self-discovery, and major life transitions with compassionate, holistic support.
A Message from Our Team
If the New Year feels heavy, you are not failing. You are responding to a world that has asked a lot of you. You do not have to navigate this season alone. We are here to support you with steady care and thoughtful guidance.
To learn more or get started, call 804-322-7185 or visit cpjcounseling.com.
Many people experience stress in different ways. Understanding how it shows up in your body and emotions can be the first step toward support and nervous system regulation.
How does stress usually show up for you right now?
I feel anxious or on edge most days.
I feel overwhelmed and mentally tired.
I feel disconnected or emotionally flat.
I feel tense in my body even when things are calm.
You can vote for more than one answer.
There is no right or wrong answer. Stress and anxiety can look different for everyone. If you notice that stress feels constant or hard to manage, services like counseling, EMDR, and the Safe and Sound Protocol can help support nervous system regulation.
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