Why we all have “I can’t do this” days
Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Arjuna Vishada Yoga
The Bhagavad Gita doesn’t begin with fireworks. It opens with a freeze.
Arjuna, the star warrior, rolls his chariot into the middle of the battlefield. He looks around – cousins on one side, uncles on the other, teachers who once blessed him now ready to fight him. Suddenly, the guy who never missed a shot can’t even hold his bow.
“My limbs give way, my mouth is dry, my body trembles, my hair stands on end… I cannot stand, my mind reels. I will not fight.” (Gita 1.28 – 30)
This isn’t a hero’s entrance. This is anxiety and honestly, that’s what makes it relatable.
The modern battlefield
Now swap Kurukshetra for today’s workplace. Arjuna is everywhere:
That teammate who opens their inbox on Monday morning, sees 147 unread mails, and wonders if goat farming would’ve been a better life choice.
Or the project lead who has to tell their closest friend that their “brilliant” idea isn’t making it to the final deck. Cue guilt trip.
Or you, staring at a giant Excel sheet that looks like Sudoku from hell, convinced one wrong formula will undo not just your workday, but your entire career path.
Arjuna’s bow slipped from his hands. Yours might be your mouse. Either way, the feeling is the same; shaky, overwhelmed, and a strong desire to just……. NOT.
Why the Gita starts with a breakdown
It’s fascinating that the Gita – a book of timeless wisdom – doesn’t kick off with Krishna giving advice. It starts with Arjuna saying, “I can’t do this.”
Why? Because that’s real life. Growth doesn’t begin with clarity. It begins with uncertainty.
We freeze before big decisions. We second-guess ourselves. We feel like impostors.
And here’s the kicker: doubt isn’t weakness. It’s actually proof that you care. Arjuna froze not because he lacked skill, but because the stakes were high.
Today’s versions of “I will not fight”
Think about it:
A new manager asked to give tough feedback to someone twice their age.
A parent who’s also a team lead, torn between important meeting and showing up for their kid’s annual day performance.
A fresh graduate staring at a presentation slide, terrified their one typo will be caught by “that” senior.
It’s easy to judge Arjuna for wanting to run away from a war. But don’t we do the same? We delay the hard email. We avoid the awkward meeting. We scroll endlessly on our phones when we should be making a call.
Arjuna froze on a battlefield. We freeze at our desks. Same script, different setting.
So, what do we do when we freeze?
Here’s where the Gita is practical – and surprisingly modern.
Name the Emotion
Arjuna didn’t fake bravado; he said it straight – “My body trembles, my mind reels.” He named what he was feeling.
That’s the first step: Understand your emotion and admit you’re stuck. If even the GOAT of archery can confess it, you can too. Try saying: “I’m overwhelmed right now. I need a pause.” Just naming it lifts the fog.
Pause With Purpose
Instead of rushing through fear, step back. Take a short walk, scribble down your thoughts, or just sit quietly. Pausing isn’t procrastination if it helps you act better. Remember: if Arjuna could stop a war for a chat, you can stop your email draft for a breather.
Find Your Krishna
Arjuna didn’t figure it out alone – he turned to Krishna. We all need that sounding board: a mentor, a peer, an old friend or even a reflective habit like journaling. Don’t carry the battle in silence. Ask for perspective.
The bigger lesson
Here’s the real brilliance: the Gita doesn’t begin with answers. It begins with questions, fear, hesitation. It shows that even the “best of the best” freeze.
So, the next time you hesitate, before speaking up in a meeting or before making a tough decision or before saying what needs to be said – don’t beat yourself up. You’re not weak. You’re just human.
And maybe, like Arjuna, your clearest wisdom will come not when you rush past your doubts, but when you sit with them.
Closing reflection
Arjuna’s story doesn’t end in paralysis. The bow eventually lifts again.
So, if today feels like a “I cannot fight” day – don’t panic. Take your pause. Seek your Krishna. Then return to the field, steady and ready.
Because the Gita reminds us….
“Even heroes’ freeze. But they don’t stay frozen.“
We’ve all had days when the bow (or the mouse) slips from our hands. How do you deal with those moments?
Drop your thoughts below. Your story might just help someone else find their footing.
Written by Vibhor Jain © 2025 | Originally published at mindspringlife.com
Hey Vibhor,
Thanks for sharing it. Very well written and so much relatable. Couple of things that will stay with me.
_Growth starts with fear and uncertainty._
_Taking a pause does not mean running away
_Find your Krishna_
Gita contains so many life lessons which can be used as case studies in business schools and at elementary levels.
Keep writing
Thank you so much — really glad those lines stayed with you. I keep realizing how these ideas from the Gita still play out in small, everyday ways. The more I write about them, the more I end up learning myself.
This is a fantastic piece of info! Content reads very well, and is engaging and clear. The comparison beautifully relates to our day-to-day hurdles. Thank you!
Thanks a lot! Really glad you found it engaging – that connection to everyday hurdles is exactly what I hoped would come through. Appreciate you taking the time to share that.
Thanks a lot, Vibhor, for this wonderful initiative! Very well written and the best part is how beautifully it relates lessons from Bhagvad Gita to our corporate life.
Every big achievement and every major decision begins with uncertainty and having a mentor or guide truly helps us find direction. Sometimes, it’s equally important to step back and take a pause to reflect, regain clarity, and then move forward with purpose.
Keep writing and looking forward for more such insightful posts!
Thank you so much – really appreciate your kind words. You’re right, most meaningful progress does start in uncertainty. Having someone – a friend, a peer, or just someone who speaks with pure intent – can really help you pause, reflect, and find your next step with clarity.
Thoroughly enjoyed your analogy and your take on relating daily struggles to learning from the Gita.
My thoughts on what I would do if my bow slips:
– Take a pause and regulate myself to avoid going into panic mode
– Think calmly and practically about how to come out of the situation without getting hurt (or hurting others)
– Find my Krishna (my husband’s name is Krishna, but the Krishna in this context could be anyone with the wisdom I seek)
– Take action
Keep writing!
I really liked how you broke that down – calm, practical, and human. Especially the bit about pausing before reacting; that’s where most of the clarity lies
Hi Vibhor,
Thank you for sharing such profound wisdom through your writing. Every line on this page resonates deeply with the realities of day-to-day work.
As someone who avidly reads and follows mythology, I found this piece especially enriching and enjoyable.
Please continue writing—I’m genuinely looking forward to more of your insightful reflections.
Hi Krushna,
Really appreciate that, thank you for saying so. It means a lot to know the writing connected that way. Ancient text has so much depth – the more I revisit it, the more it mirrors our everyday experiences. Glad to know it spoke to you too.
So well explained Vibhor in today’s context. Something we all go through but don’t admit because of a sense of false bravado. This surely helps put things in perspective.
Thank you. I’m really glad it resonated. You’re right, we often hide behind composure when what we actually need is a moment of honesty with ourselves. Writing this was a good reminder of that for me too.
Thanks for the quick recap of the lessons from the Bhagavat Geeta. It’s very well written. Sometimes, we need a reminder of what we already know, but we get trapped in our daily hustle. It was great to reflect on the lessons I learned when I read the Bhagavat Geeta.
That’s so true – the daily noise often buries what we already know. I’m glad this piece helped you pause and reconnect with those lessons. Thanks for sharing that – means a lot 🙂
This is such a thoughtful piece. Really well written. It reminded me of something simple: when muddy water is disturbed, you don’t clear it by stirring more. You wait. Slowly, the mud settles and the water turns clear again. Our minds work the same way. Sometimes the wisest move is to pause, not push.
That’s such a beautiful analogy – I love how you described it. You’re right, clarity usually comes when we stop trying to force it. Do you have a particular way you “pause” when things feel muddy?
Very well written Vibhor.
I am very much connected to this statement.
What is important is “Identifying your Krishna” Who could be your friend, your mentor, peer , senior/junior and sometime an unknown person with whom you never interacted. Sometimes, wisdom and support come from the most unlikely sources.
The key lies in recognizing that presence—the one who offers clarity in chaos, direction in confusion, and strength in moments of doubt. I remain deeply thankful to all the ‘Krishnas’ who have guided me throughout my career😊😊
Thank you for this insightful reflection.
Thank you so much 😊 I really liked how you put that – clarity often comes from the most unexpected people or moments. It made me think… have you ever had that happen at a time you least expected support or direction?