We’ve all been there—overwhelmed, stressed out, but still telling ourselves, “I’m fine, I can handle it.”
Sound familiar?
I know I do. I can be my own worst enemy for this – pushing, pushing, pushing until I simply can’t push anymore. It took a cancer diagnosis to make me stop & take stock 14 years ago. Do I manage to keep on track all the time 14 years on? No, not always. But I am getting a lot better at it.
Sometimes, we’re the last ones to realise we’re in over our heads. If you’ve been pushing yourself too hard, there are signs you might also be missing like I did/still do sometimes.
Here’s how to spot them and what to do about it.
The Subtle Signs of Overwhelm:
- Forgetfulness: Have you been forgetting small things lately? Like where you put your keys, or that important meeting you were supposed to attend? When our brains are overloaded, they start to drop the ball. For me, it’s the ‘walking into the room’ thing. I walk in, forget why I went there in the first place, & walk out again. Often. When I recognise that, I know it’s the first sign & I need to take a look at what’s going on.
- Irritability: Do you find yourself snapping at people over minor things? Almost like it’s an out of body experience? You’re thinking ‘why am I losing my shit over this?’ As your are ranting about not closing the fridge door properly (just me? OK). When we’re stretched too thin, our patience wears out quickly.
- Physical Symptoms: Are you feeling more tired than usual? Maybe you’ve got headaches, muscle tension, or even a constant feeling of being on edge. When I start feeling like my jaw is wired shut with tension, I know I need to take a break. These physical signs are your body’s way of telling you it needs you to listen to it – trust me.
- Procrastination: Are you putting off tasks you usually don’t mind doing? Oh, this one is a doozie. For me, it’s laundry folding. Normally I’m all over it & it takes no time at all. When the laundry basket is doing an impersonation of Mount Everest, I know I’m in trouble…..Overwhelm can make even simple tasks feel like mountains (see what I did there?!).
- Lack of Joy: Have you lost interest in things you normally enjoy? When everything feels like a chore, it’s a sign you might be burning out. And this is the worst stage – if you’ve got this far, you really need to stop & take stock – life is all about joy – so stop dicking around & start making some changes.
So why do we deny it? Admitting we’re overwhelmed can feel like admitting defeat. We live in a world where being busy is often seen as a badge of honour. But here’s the truth: constantly pushing yourself without a break isn’t sustainable. It’s okay to admit when you’re struggling. Do yourself a favour and take a look at ways to help break the ‘busy syndrome’:
- Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you really feeling? What’s been bothering you? Writing this down can help – seeing it in black & white (or pink & white in my case) can help you identify it, and that helps you start to deal with it.
- Prioritise: Not everything on your to-do list is urgent. Remember the phrase ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. Focus on what really matters and let the rest wait. The world won’t end. I promise.
- Delegate: If there are tasks you can pass on to someone else, just do it!!. It’s okay to ask for help. Trying to do it all will end up doing some things badly, and probably making mistakes. Take a breath, look at what you can get off your own list of things to do, and JUST. DO. IT.
- Take Breaks: Step away from your work, or what is stressing you, even if it’s just for a few minutes. A short walk, a cup of tea, or a quick chat with a friend can do wonders. There is no law that says you have to be on it like a car bonnet 24/7. Stop. Breathe. Reset & go again.
- Practice Self-Care: Make time for activities that recharge you. Whether it’s reading, gardening, or just sitting quietly, find what works for you and make it a priority. This is the thing we tend to shelve first. I know I do. It’s testimony to a 34 year relationship that my husband tends to see this before I do, & will gently steer me towards my garden, my crafting, or a long hot bath – the things he knows soothe my soul (I picked a good one).
Being overwhelmed isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you’re human.
Listen to the signs your body and mind are giving you.
Take a step back, breathe, and give yourself permission to take care of you. Being a business superhero isn’t just about leaping tall challenges with a single bound, it’s also about learning when to hang the cape up for a bit.