Let’s be honest – sometimes life feels like one giant, tangled-up ball of WTF. The to-do list is a mile long, the mental load is heavier than a wet duvet, and even making a cuppa feels like an achievement. Sound familiar?
If you’re in the thick of it, feeling like you’re about two seconds from a meltdown or a disappearing act (hello, fantasy cottage in the woods with no Wi-Fi), this post is for you.
Overwhelm isn’t a sign you’re failing – it’s a sign you’re overloaded.
We’ve been sold this nonsense idea that we should be able to “do it all” with a smile, a side hustle, and perfectly baked banana bread. But real life? Real life is messy. It’s noisy. And it gets a lot, especially for women who are holding up businesses, families, friendships, dreams – all while trying to remember when they last washed their hair.
So let’s cut through the noise and talk about how to shift from chaos to clarity – not with fairy dust or fluffy affirmations, but with grounded, doable steps you can take today.
1. Stop. Breathe. Zoom Out
When you’re overwhelmed, your brain is in survival mode. Everything feels urgent, but urgency is a liar. Step one? Stop doing and start noticing.
Grab a notebook or your journal (or a napkin, honestly), and write down:
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What’s swirling in your head right now?
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What’s actually urgent vs. what’s just loud?
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What can be dropped, delayed or delegated?
You can’t find clarity in the middle of the chaos — you have to step back to see the full picture.
2. Name the Saboteurs
Overwhelm isn’t just about workload — it’s often about mindset. When you’re running on empty, those inner gremlins turn up the volume:
“You’re behind.”
“You’ll never catch up.”
“You should’ve done more.”
Nah. Not today, Imposter Syndrome. Grab your mental megaphone and drown out the bullshit.
Acknowledge what’s fuelling the overwhelm. Is it fear of failure? Perfectionism? People-pleasing? Calling it out takes the sting out and helps you take your power back.
3. Pick One Damn Thing
Let’s ditch the mile-long list. Overwhelm thrives on the illusion that everything must be done right now. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.
What’s one thing that would move the needle today?
Just one. Not twelve. Not seven plus laundry. Just the thing that, if it got done, would help you feel a little more in control.
Then do that. And when it’s done, you can pick the next one – if you want to. (Rest is also an option.)
4. Create Micro-Momentum
When you’re overwhelmed, your brain is in survival mode. Everything feels urgent, but urgency is a liar. Step one? Stop doing and start noticing.
Grab a notebook or your journal (or a napkin, honestly), and write down:
-
What’s swirling in your head right now?
-
What’s actually urgent vs. what’s just loud?
-
What can be dropped, delayed or delegated?
You can’t find clarity in the middle of the chaos — you have to step back to see the full picture.
5. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
The most dangerous part of overwhelm is isolation. When it feels like everyone else is crushing it and you’re drowning in admin, it’s easy to go quiet, shut down, or hide behind “I’m fine.”
But connection is clarity’s secret weapon. Talk to someone. Ask for help. Let someone hold space for you while you sort the spaghetti in your brain.
(And hey – that’s literally what the Nexus Collective is here for. You don’t have to carry it all solo.)
Final Thoughts: Clarity Isn’t a Destination – It’s a Practice
If you’re stuck in the chaos right now, I see you. This isn’t about fixing everything in one heroic sprint – it’s about slowing down enough to see again. To reconnect with what actually matters. To remember that you’re not broken, lazy, or behind – you’re just human. And you’re doing your best.
So take a breath, choose one thing, and start again – gently, bravely, imperfectly.
You’ve got this.
💬 Over to you
What’s your go-to reset when life gets overwhelming? Drop it in the comments or come join the convo over in The Nexus Collective Facebook Group!
🎁 Need a bit of support shifting the fog?
Download my free Reignite: 10-Day Roadmap to Reinvention – it’s packed with simple prompts and mini challenges to help you reconnect with yourself and find your spark again. Grab it here.
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