How to Get Unstuck When Everything Feels Like Too Much

If you feel like you’re drowning under the weight of all the things—your home, your health, your people, your schedule, your responsibilities—I want you to know you’re not alone.

I’ve been there. Not once. Not twice. More times than I can count.

That feeling where everything piles up, I know it too well. You look around your house and it feels like you’re behind on everything. You want to show up for your family, but you’re exhausted. Also, you care about your health, but you don’t even know where to begin. And you have goals and dreams—but right now, survival mode is loudest. I hear you, so let’s talk about how to get unstuck.

Step 1: Give Yourself Permission to Pause

Today I don’t want you to hustle because constantly pushing through the overwhelm just leads to burnout and I don’t want that for you. The first step isn’t to do more—it’s to pause.

Take a moment—right now—to close your eyes and take three deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Let your shoulders drop and your jaw unclench.

You don’t need to fix everything today.

You don’t need to be everything today.

All you have to do is just acknowledge that you’ve been carrying a lot and give yourself permission to rest for a second before you begin again.

Step 2: Identify What’s Weighing You Down

When everything feels like too much, it helps to get it out of your head and onto paper. Personally, I find that my thoughts are a highway and it can be hard to focus on anything. So when this happens it’s best to take a moment to “brain dump”.

Whether you have a journal or notebook or open the notes app on your phone, I want you to grab it. Write down everything on your mind—no judgment, no editing. Write freely!

Here are some starter points to help you write it all out:

Worried about your home?
Frustrated about your health?
Feeling pulled in every direction by family dynamics?

Once it’s all there in front of you, you can start to gently sort it into categories:

What’s urgent?
What can wait?
What can I let go of right now?

You’d be surprised how much clarity you can gain just by naming your overwhelm.

Step 3: Pick One Tiny Action

Now that you can see everything laid out, great! The next step is to choose one small thing to focus on. Yup, just one. Here are a few ideas of what you could choose for yourself, maybe it’s:

Clearing off one countertop so you can breathe easier in your kitchen.
Clearing the entryway so you can walk through the door without being greeted with chaos.
Drinking a glass of water and stepping outside for five minutes.
Take five minutes to yourself in your car to breathe, to listen to your favourite song or to sit in silence before going inside.
Sending a quick text to a friend saying, “Hey, today’s tough. Just needed to say that out loud.”

The goal here is progress, not perfection. Small steps lead to momentum. And momentum leads to change.

Step 4: Anchor Your Day with Simple Routines

When life feels chaotic, routines can become your lifeline. Now many don’t like the thought of routines because they believe that it has to be rigid or overly structured. It doesn’t! Routines aren’t about control, they’re about giving you space to flow, with intention.

Start with your morning and evening routines. In the morning, try a simple check-in:

How do I feel today?
What are the 1–2 things I want to focus on?

In the evening, set the tone for tomorrow:

What’s one thing I can prep now to make tomorrow smoother?
What am I proud of myself for today?

These little check-ins help you feel anchored, even when the waves are crashing.

Step 5: Let Go of the Guilt

Don’t feel guilty for needing help, rest, or time for yourself. I used to feel that way and some days I still do but something we need to get in the habit of is remembering that you are not selfish for taking care of your own needs. Recharging makes you smart and strong. Also, you are setting an example for those around you that health, boundaries, and peace matter.

Of course, letting go of guilt doesn’t happen overnight, but you can start by replacing that inner critic with compassion. Try saying this out loud (even if it feels silly): “I am doing my best with what I have. And that is more than enough today.”

Step 6: Reach for Support

Remember that you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Sometimes, getting unstuck means letting someone else hold space for you. Whether that’s a trusted friend, a coach, a therapist, or an online community.

There is strength in leaning in and asking for support. I find that when I reach out, something beautiful happens when moms start supporting each other—cheering each other on, swapping tips, and saying “me too” when it all feels like a lot. You are worthy of that kind of support, too.

Final Thoughts

I know how heavy life can feel sometimes. Especially when you’re showing up for others, and when you’re trying to hold your world together. But you don’t have to stay stuck. Start small. Take one tiny step today. And when you feel ready—take the next one. Your peace and well-being matters because you matter. You are not behind or broken. I hope that this article gives you the hug that you deserve. I’m right here, cheering you on.

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