Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone—Here’s How to Simplify and Get Back on Track
Life has a way of piling things up, especially when you're juggling multiple responsibilities, passions, or even just managing your mental health. I’ve been there, feeling like I’m drowning in a sea of thoughts and tasks—either breaking apart or trying to do too much at once. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when everything seems urgent, and I know that firsthand.
Recently, I worked through an exercise with my therapist that helped me regain control, clear the mental fog, and focus on what truly matters. If you’re feeling like you’re spinning in circles, trying to tackle everything at once, this simple exercise might help you clear some space and regain focus.
Here’s the exercise that helped me—and might help you too:
1. Make a List of Everything That’s Affecting You or That You’re Wanting to Do
When life feels overwhelming, it can seem like there’s a never-ending list of things screaming for your attention. The first step is to get it all out. Take a moment to write down everything that’s on your mind—your to-do lists, your goals, your responsibilities, your worries. Anything that’s taking up mental or emotional space should be on this list. Whether it’s work, personal life, health concerns, or future goals—get it all down.
2. Categorize Everything
Once you’ve got everything written down, start sorting these items into categories. Group them based on their relevance to different aspects of your life—work, health, relationships, finances, etc. Categorizing will help you see patterns and allow you to identify which areas of your life are most demanding your attention right now. It’s a great way to visualize where the most stress is coming from and where you might need to focus.
3. Select the Top 2 Most Important or Bugging You
Here’s where we begin narrowing down the overwhelm: you can’t solve everything at once. Trust me, I’ve tried, and it just adds to the chaos. From your categorized list, choose two areas that are most important or causing you the most stress right now. These could be the areas you feel need the most immediate action or the ones that are weighing heavily on your heart or mind. Whether it’s a financial issue, career stress, or personal health struggles—pick the top two that need your attention.
4. Focus on Those 2 Areas for the Next Month
Now that you’ve narrowed it down to your two most pressing areas, it’s time to shift gears. For the next month (or whatever time frame works best for you), commit to focusing on these two areas. Break down what steps you can take to make tangible progress in these areas. It could be simple actions, like scheduling a financial review or setting a health goal. The key is to take consistent, manageable steps toward improvement—no need to overwhelm yourself with a long list of tasks. Just focus on these two areas, and keep it simple. Even small wins will make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Progress, Not Perfection
Feeling overwhelmed is totally normal, and honestly, it’s something I think we all go through at some point. But it doesn’t have to be your reality forever. By simplifying your approach and focusing on just a couple of key goals at a time, you’ll start to feel more in control. This exercise has been a game changer for me, and I hope it helps you too.
Remember: it’s okay to step back and focus on what truly matters in the moment. Take things one step at a time, and know that progress is progress—no matter how small. Give yourself grace and know that you're doing enough.
I’d love to know: how are you simplifying your life right now? Drop a comment below and let’s share some tips for staying grounded when life gets overwhelming!
