Overcoming Overwhelm
Aug 29, 2025
I’m good at juggling. I’ve had a lot of practice with juggling the demands of my job, tending to my family's needs, and grappling with the weight of personal challenges. Maybe not the kind of juggling you were thinking, though I’m sure you can relate.
As a working woman, I know the usual daily scenario: work deadlines breathing down your neck, household chores stacking up, bills piling on your desk, and your cherished personal dreams buried beneath the weight of everyday life.
I’ve found a way to not let overwhelm defeat me (it took years and a stint of total burn out. But here we are!). I made a conscious decision to fight back, to discover an escape route from this relentless cycle. It was not a straightforward journey, and it certainly did not come with quick fixes. It was a path filled with trials and errors, moments of frustration, and self-discovery.
5 Ways to Break Out of Overwhelm
Embrace the Power of Saying No
The first lesson I learned in my battle against overwhelm was that I couldn't do it all (bye bye superwoman complex). I had this tendency to say "yes" to every request, whether it was at work, within my social circle, or even within my family. I wanted to be the superhero who could handle everything effortlessly, but reality had other plans.
It was not until I found myself exhausted, irritable, and stretched thin that I realized the importance of saying "no." At first, it was uncomfortable, even felt selfish, to decline requests for help or commitments. But as I began to set boundaries, I noticed a remarkable shift. I had more time for the things that truly mattered to me, and I could give those tasks my full attention and energy.
Saying "no" isn't a rejection of others; it is a powerful affirmation of your priorities and well-being. It is about understanding your limitations and respecting them. By embracing the power of "no," I started to regain control over my life and reduce the constant overwhelm.
Prioritize and Organize Tasks
Once I began saying "no" to some things, I realized I needed to get better at managing what remained on my plate. It was time to tackle the clutter of my to-do list and make sense of it all. I turned to prioritization and organization as my allies in this battle.
To prioritize effectively, I adopted a simple but powerful method: the Eisenhower Matrix. This matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance. I began to assign each task to its respective quadrant:
● Urgent and Important:
These tasks require immediate attention, like a work deadline or a family emergency.
● Not Urgent but Important:
These tasks are valuable but not time-sensitive, such as personal development, self-care, and long-term projects.
● Urgent but Not Important:
These tasks are often distractions and should be minimized to reduce stress.
● Not Urgent and Not Important:
These tasks are time-wasters and should be eliminated whenever possible.
Through this, I could focus on the most critical tasks first and gradually work my way through the rest. This approach brought a sense of clarity and purpose to my daily routine, making it easier to navigate the overwhelming sea of responsibilities.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care
One of the most important lessons I have learned in my journey to conquer overwhelm is the necessity of self-care. I used to think that taking time for myself was a luxury I couldn't afford. I believed that I had to keep pushing myself relentlessly to meet the demands of life. But that mindset only exacerbated my feelings of being overwhelmed. Not until I hit a breaking point of burnout that I realized I needed to prioritize self-care. I started by incorporating mindfulness practices into my daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and even short walks in nature became my lifelines. These moments of mindfulness allowed me to pause, reset, and find a sense of calm amid the chaos.
But I did not stop there. I made self-care a non-negotiable part of my schedule. Whether it meant losing myself in the pages of a good book, luxuriating in a long, soothing bath, or immersing myself in a cherished hobby, I gave myself permission to recharge and reconnect with my inner self.
Delegate and Seek Support
As someone who used to pride myself on being self-reliant, the idea of asking for help or delegating tasks was a tough pill to swallow. I felt like I should be able to handle everything on my own, believing that it was a sign of strength and independence.
It took a moment of introspection to understand that this insistence on self-sufficiency was actually contributing to my feelings of being overwhelmed. I was stretched thin, trying to be a master of all trades, and it was taking a toll on my mental and emotional well-being. It was a humbling realization that I didn't have all the answers, nor did I possess an endless reservoir of energy.
So, I decided to change my approach. I started by identifying tasks that others could help me with, both at work and in my personal life. At work, I began to delegate tasks to colleagues who were more skilled or better suited to handle them. This not only lightened my workload but also allowed me to focus on what I was truly good at. At home, I leaned on my family and friends for support, whether it was sharing household responsibilities or simply talking through my challenges.
Delegating and seeking support not only lightened my load but also strengthened my connections with others. It reminded me that I did not have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and that there were people who genuinely cared about my well-being.
Celebrate Small Wins and Practice Gratitude
In the midst of overwhelm, it is easy to focus on all the things that are going wrong and the tasks that remain undone. This negative mindset only perpetuates the cycle of stress and anxiety. To break free, I knew I had to shift my perspective and find joy in the little victories.
I started celebrating small wins, no matter how insignificant they might seem. Completing a project, handling a difficult conversation, or even just making it through a hectic day became reasons to pat myself on the back.
Practicing gratitude for these wins shifted my focus from what I lacked to what I had, creating a profound sense of contentment. By acknowledging and appreciating the small blessings in my life, such as a warm cup of coffee in the morning or a loving friend who always listens, I realized that I already had so much to be grateful for.
Find Your Way Out
Overcoming overwhelm is an ongoing journey, and I still have my moments of feeling swamped. It is essential to acknowledge that it is perfectly normal to encounter bouts of overwhelm, even after implementing these strategies. Life has its way of throwing unexpected challenges that can momentarily disrupt our sense of balance. However, with these simple yet powerful strategies, I know you will regain control and find balance time and time again.
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