Why Coping Skills Don’t Always Work & What to Try Instead

Hey there,

If you’ve ever tried to use a coping skill during a tough moment, only to feel like it didn’t help at all, you’re definitely not alone.

Maybe you journaled, took a walk, or tried some deep breathing, but still ended up feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in your thoughts. And then maybe, afterward, you found yourself wondering:

“Why isn’t this working?”
“Am I doing something wrong?”
“Shouldn’t I be better at this by now?”

Let me be really clear. You’re not doing anything wrong.

The truth is, coping skills aren’t magic. They’re not always enough on their own. Especially when you’re navigating stress, trauma, burnout, or neurodivergence, even your best intentions can fall flat.

So let’s talk about why that happens and what you can try instead.