How to cope with overwhelm

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you don’t have time to do everything you want to do, there are probably two kinds of things on your to-do list — things that feel out of your control + for other people, and things that feel in your control and for yourself. For instance, picking your kids up from soccer practice, caring for an ageing parent, and doing your taxes are things you do for other people. Meditation, working out, and writing your book are things you do for yourself.

Most often, when we’re overwhelmed and pressed for time, we stop doing the things that are for us, and double down on the things for other people. Because we feel like there’s “no time” for movement and creative practice. Fair enough: our time is finite, and the demands are pressing.

Here’s the thing that research has now proven (I learned this from Mel Robbins’ podcast on overwhelm): cutting down on challenging activities that feel in your control (like your writing practice) actually makes you feel more overwhelmed.

That’s because when you cut out the stuff you love doing, your to-do list is still long, but now it’s only full of things you have to do for other people.

When you feel overwhelmed, the very best thing to do is take a small action toward something that that you love doing that challenges you.

Therefore, a 20-minute writing practice every morning will actually make you feel LESS OVERWHELMED than cutting out your writing “until you have more time.”

Try it. Give yourself some time for your writing today, okay? It’s the most effective way to feel less overwhelmed and to have more capacity for everything in your full life.

PS. A new creative writing prompt arrives in Centered every day. Show up once a day with your coffee and write for 20 minutes. It’s worth it.

Photo credit (top): George Nifakos on Unsplash.