3 Questions to Ease Your Overwhelm

The feeling of overwhelm: something I know well. As someone with goals, dreams, and other humans relying on you for many things, I'm sure you do also. I wanted to share with you a few things that seem to help (not cure) give me a little clarity when responsibilities and challenging situations are piling up & up & up.

When faced with a mountain that seems impossible to climb, I ask myself a few simple questions, and take some small steps toward feeling more grounded and capable. Here they are!

1. Is this temporary or forever?

Often when we’re in the trenches, we start to feel hopeless, like nothing will ever change. Humans are wired to focus on the negative (look up the negativity bias). When something good happens, we cling to it out of fear that it won’t last. But when something bad happens we also cling!! A subtle perspective shift can bring you out of the anxiety cycle. Recognize this is temporary, life moves in waves, and there will be joy and ease again soon. Chaos is temporary, but the deepest internal peace is unchanging.

2. What can I realistically control?

Not everything is within your power to change, but you CAN control how you respond to the world around you, and whether or not you let yourself spiral. Pick an activity that helps you feel grounded and centered, no matter what is happening around you. Prayer, meditation, pranayama, walking, journaling. What brings you back to you?

3. What’s 1 positive thing I can do right NOW? If you look at the big picture, the whole messy pile, it’s gonna feel like a mental overload. Break down big tasks into small, manageable steps to reduce that “oh shit” feeling. One actionable thing at a time to help you feel empowered again. My favorite way to get out of my head is to do something kind for someone else. Not only does this make me stop thinking about my downfalls and issues, it brings me back to CONNECTION and community. Sometimes our problems are lighter when they’re shared, and things feel better when we know we’re not alone.

“Everything doesn’t need to be perfect right now. Just do the next right thing.”

I hope this helps! Share with anyone you think might need to hear it too.