Overwhelm is a state where the demands on you exceed your ability to cope, often leading to mental and emotional exhaustion.

For me it feels like one or a combination of:

• Feeling like there’s too much to handle
• Anxiety or a sense of panic
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Mental fog or confusion
• Physical tension or fatigue
• Shut down

The most common for me is feeling like it’s too much, anxiety and my brain just stopping. For me, pushing through isn’t the right approach – ideally we’d prevent it happening by:

• Setting boundaries – Avoid overcommitting
• Prioritizing tasks – Break projects into manageable parts and tackle high-priority tasks first
• Time management – Use tools like calendars or to-do lists to stay organized
• Self-care – Regular exercise, sleep, and mindfulness can keep stress levels in check

In reality we won’t always manage to stay ahead of things – so this is what I do if things get too much:

• Pause and breathe – Deep breathing calms your mind and body
• Break it down – Focus on one small task at a time
• Ask for help – Delegate or seek support
• Take breaks – Step away to refresh your mind
• Reevaluate – Adjust your expectations and eliminate unnecessary tasks

We all have a limit and it doesn’t matter where that line is, I think it’s important that we respect and work within it.