We have all been in the position of feeling overwhelmed at some point.
We feel tired, life feels out of control, there is too much on our plate to handle or we’re simply feeling too many things at once. The list is endless.
When people feel overwhelmed, there is a narrative they keep telling themselves which keeps them in that cycle. And the more they talk about being overwhelmed, the bigger and more permanent that state becomes.
The most damaging thing about being overwhelmed, however, is the danger of staying overwhelmed. Overwhelm breeds avoidance, and by not taking any action you continue to build on that avoidance, dragging on the lifespan of feeling this way.
People feel overwhelmed by different things and at varying intensities and frequency. But with the increasing pace and demands of our lives, this occurs much more often today. The good news is, there are effective ways to deal with this.
Here are 5 ways to break the feeling of being overwhelmed:
- Review the situation
It is important to determine whether the feeling of being overwhelmed is real or just a default response. Feeling overwhelmed can be quite automatic for most of us especially when it has been triggered by a similar situation before.
- Ground yourself
The easiest way to minimize feeling overwhelmed is to bring your attention to the now. Once you have reviewed your situation and grounded yourself to the present, ask yourself “What can I do right now?” This takes away overthinking and puts your focus on taking action. This alone is enough to break the cycle.
- Stop using the word “But”
Often enough, with overwhelm comes a long list of “buts” — “but I’m too tired and there is too much to do”, “but I don’t know how”, “but I don’t have xyz”…
A good exercise to do is to write out everything about the situation that is causing you to feel overwhelmed. Put down what you need to do about it and why/if it doesn’t seem feasible. Then, strike out all the “buts” and re-read it.
Notice how eliminating one word transforms the entire tone of the narrative. First, it is not disempowering. Second, you see things as they are and are able to address them in a more practical and logical way, with less emotion weighing you down.
- Take one step
When we feel overwhelmed, things tend to feel too big or too much. And while they may seem that way, taking the smallest step forward helps to break the loop you’re stuck in. Action is the only way out. Just decide on one tiny step and do it. This is possible for anyone in any situation.
- Accountability
It is so crucial to find an accountability partner. This person is someone who doesn’t buy into the limiting beliefs or “stories” you tell yourself and is there to challenge you when you’re not doing what you say you will.
Give these a try the next time you feel overwhelmed. I would love to know which of these has worked for you and if there are other ways in which you deal with overwhelm.
If you have any questions regarding life coaching, visit my website or do get in touch if you’re in Singapore, and would like a personal coach to help you stay focused on your journey.
