Overwhelm.
It’s the word that keeps coming up in conversations I’m having with women in business – especially mums in business. It’s that feeling of being pulled in a million directions, constantly juggling personal and professional demands, and yet never feeling like you’re truly on top of things.
I get it. I know how full your life is. Your diary is packed, your to-do list feels endless, and finding even five minutes to yourself – without someone needing you – feels like a luxury you can’t afford. The idea of slowing down or stepping back feels almost impossible because if you stop, everything might just fall apart, right?
But here’s the truth that most of us don’t like to admit: A lot of the things filling your week are there because you’ve allowed them to be.
Before you start arguing with me about how different your situation is – because of your business, your kids, your commitments – hear me out.
You have chosen this life. You’ve chosen to be a business owner. You’ve chosen to be a mum. You’ve chosen to take on the responsibilities that are currently filling your days. Every decision you make – however big or small – is a choice. A choice to ADD to your load or a choice to REDUCE it.
Now, I’m not saying those choices are easy to change. But difficult is not the same as impossible – and if you want things to feel different, those choices need to shift.
Why Overwhelm Is So Hard to Shake
When you’re deep in overwhelm, it’s hard to think straight. Your mind is constantly racing with everything that needs to be done. The idea of stepping back and reevaluating your commitments feels exhausting in itself – so you keep pushing through, convincing yourself that it will calm down eventually. But it never does, because you’re stuck in the same cycle of overcommitment and overworking.
It’s hard to imagine any other way of living because being busy has become part of your identity. You might even feel a strange sense of pride in how much you can juggle – as though your worth is measured by how productive you are.
I get it, because I used to live that way too.
I used to be proud of how full my diary was, how much I could squeeze into a day, and how I was the go-to person for getting things done. I wore “busy” like a badge of honor. But the truth is, that constant state of busyness left me feeling drained, anxious, stressed and snappy – and I wasn’t even accomplishing the things that really mattered to me.
The Simple Shift That Changed Everything
Here’s the turning point: I stopped glorifying busy.
I stopped telling people how overwhelmed I was. I stopped feeling proud of how much I had on my plate.
Because being busy isn’t something to be proud of.
Resting and nourishing yourself is something to be proud of.
Having fun and living life on your terms is something to be proud of.
Creating meaningful impact through your work is something to be proud of.
But being busy for the sake of being busy is never something to be proud of!
So I made one small but powerful change: Instead of focusing on everything I needed to do, I started focusing on just ONE thing at a time.
When I looked at my overwhelming to-do list, instead of asking, “How the hell am I going to get all of this done?” I asked myself “What ONE thing needs to happen today?”
Once that task was done, I moved on to the next one. One at a time. Step by step.
Not only did this help me feel calmer, but it also made me more productive. By focusing on just one task, I completed it faster and more efficiently because my brain wasn’t constantly switching between tasks or thinking about the next thing on the list.
The Science Behind Why This Works
There’s actual science to back this up.
It takes your brain 20 minutes to fully focus on a task. Every time you switch your focus – whether that’s checking your phone or answering an email – you lose that focus and it takes another 20 minutes to regain it.
So if you check your phone three times in an hour, you’ve essentially lost an hour of focused work. That’s why multitasking creates the illusion of being busy without actually making meaningful progress.
By focusing on one task at a time and cutting out distractions, you gain back that focus – and that time.
How You Can Start Reducing Overwhelm Today
If you’ve read this far, I know this is resonating with you. You’re tired of feeling stretched thin. You’re ready for things to feel lighter and more manageable.
So here’s your challenge for this week:
- Stop using the word “overwhelmed.”
Language shapes reality. If you keep saying you’re overwhelmed, you’ll stay in that state. Instead, try saying, “I’m figuring it out,” or “I’m focused on the next step.”
- Pick ONE task at a time.
When you look at your to-do list, ask yourself, “What’s the ONE thing that will move me forward today?” Then focus on that – and only that – until it’s done.
- Turn off notifications.
Seriously – turn them off. Every time your phone pings, you’re losing focus. Set boundaries with your time and attention.
What This Creates for You
When you shift from scattered busyness to focused intention, everything changes.
- You’ll feel calmer because you’re no longer trying to do it all at once.
- You’ll be more productive because you’re focusing on the things that actually matter.
- You’ll have more time because you’ll stop wasting energy on mental clutter.
- You’ll feel more present – with your work, your family, and yourself.
The overwhelm isn’t going to magically disappear overnight – but when you start changing how you respond to it, it loses its power over you.
Ready to Step Out of Overwhelm for Good?
If you’re tired of feeling stretched thin and you’re ready to create more calm and control in your life, I can help.
This is exactly what I help women in business do – reclaim their time, energy, and peace of mind. You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle of overwhelm. With the right support and the right strategies, you can create a life that feels balanced, fulfilling, and successful – without burning yourself out in the process.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start thriving, let’s chat. You know where to find me.