Overwhelmed?

Ask someone how they’re doing, and one of the most common responses? "Overwhelmed."

Not “great.” Not “fine.” Not even a begrudging “hanging in there.” Just… overwhelmed.

It doesn’t matter what’s causing it—politics, an overbooked calendar, a conflict that won’t resolve, unexpected snow days, a job loss, a never-ending to-do list, or someone in your life just refusing to behave the way you wish they would.

Feeling out of control is the express lane to overwhelm.? And we often think the answer is trying to control "it" or change the circumstance.? When you believe your only way out of overwhelm is for the situation to change, you’re basically banging on a locked window over and over—while there’s an open door right behind you.

You don’t have to unlock the window. You don’t have to escape through it. You just have to turn around and walk through the door.

And that door? It’s called shifting your focus.

You always have the option to redirect your energy away from the things you can’t control (spoiler: other people, the weather, politics) and toward the things you can. Because outsourcing your emotions to external circumstances is?a one-way ticket to frustration, spinning your wheels, and feeling stuck.

So, here’s a challenge for today:

Think of a circumstance that overwhelms you. Ask yourself:

?? What do I actually have control over here?

?? What am I wasting energy on that I don’t control?

?? What will I take ownership of?

?? And how will that ownership shape my next move?

Overwhelm is a creativity killer. A decision killer. An action killer. But the best news? Overwhelm can be managed—with your mind.

So take a breath. Look around. Where are you fighting a locked window when there’s a perfectly good open door?

Walking through it doesn’t mean you have to love the situation. It doesn’t mean you have to even tolerate?it. But believing things should be different won’t magically reduce your overwhelm.

Shifting your focus, though? That might just get you closer to the clarity, calm, and control you’re seeking. And, as always, come walk through my door (aka send me a message) if you'd like some guidance on how to execute this approach.?