Ever feel like your to-do list is a mile long and your brain's about to explode?

Yep, me too.

I currently have 168 tasks that are on my to-do list. A few big tasks, others are mostly small 5-minute tasks. But regardless of size, 168 tasks is a bit, shall I say, overwhelming.

And if your list is anything like mine, it's enough to make us all want to crawl into a corner and rock ourselves while in a fetal position.

But guess what?

Overwhelm isn't a life sentence, it's a signal. (It's telling you something important.)

The good news is: you're in control — even if you don’t feel like it right now.

To gain control over the overwhelm we need to realize that feeling overwhelmed is actually a choice.

“Whoa, hold on there buddy!” you might be thinking.

Before we start judging ourselves for feeling overwhelmed, hear me out. It might sound crazy, but feeling overwhelmed is often a choice we make unconsciously. We get swamped with tasks, deadlines, and drama, and our brains go, "Uh oh, this is too much!"

But instead of pausing, leaning into this stressful emotion, and saying, "Hey, wait a minute, how can I handle this?" we jump straight to feeling overwhelmed.

Think of it like a fork in the road:

Path A: You see the mountain of tasks and think, "I'm doomed!" You shut down, stress out, and get nothing done.

Path B: You pause, take a deep breath, center yourself through meditation, assess the situation, and say, "Okay, this is a lot, but I can handle it. Let's break it down."

Path B is the key to unlocking your inner overwhelm-responder.

Overwhelm isn't just an annoyance, it's actually an opportunity.

It's a chance to identify your triggers: What situations or thoughts make you feel overwhelmed?

Once you know, you can avoid them or develop positive coping mechanisms like:

Learning to say, “No”: You don't have to be a superhero and do everything. Captain Marvel might be able to do it all, but she’s only doing it all in the comics and in the movies. Setting boundaries and saying “No” to things that drain your energy is crucial.

Seeking support: We all need help sometimes. Don't be afraid to lean on friends, family, contractors, virtual assistants, or professionals to help you out.

Remember, you are not alone in this. Overwhelm is a common human experience, but it doesn't have to control you.

By leading your thoughts, actions, and reactions, you can turn the avalanche of overwhelm into a zen garden. A place of peace where you experience more balance, calm, and empowerment — one deep “Om” chant at a time.

You got this!

I’m now going to pause, take a deep breath or two, center myself through a bit of meditation and then take a good look at those 168 tasks. 🙂