What to Do When Life Feels Like a Messy Pile of Chaos
Maria Newman
Helping the retired, the redundant and the divorced to regain their confidence, reconnect with who they are and silence their inner critic so they can navigate life with certainty
You’re juggling work deadlines, family responsibilities and trying to keep everything running smoothly.
You’re the woman who always gets things done, the one everyone relies on. Yet right now, it feels like everything’s crumbling around you.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
Honestly, I’ve been there too.
The truth is, life transitions like returning to work, navigating redundancy or simply trying to be everything to everyone can leave even the most high-achieving women feeling like they’re floundering.
It’s the mornings when you’re rushing to get everyone out the door, only to find someone’s lost a shoe. It’s the evenings when bedtime becomes a battleground and the smallest thing tips you over the edge. Or maybe it’s not one big thing, just a pile-up of little setbacks that leaves you feeling stuck.
The thing is, no one has it all together all the time. What is the difference between surviving and thriving? It’s how you handle those moments.
The answer is simpler than you think.
Pause.
I know, it sounds almost too simple. And yet, that one small action has the power to shift everything.
Why the Pause Matters
When chaos is swirling around you, your brain goes into overdrive. You feel like you have to react immediately, fix everything and be the glue holding it all together. Except in that frantic state, you’re not thinking clearly. You’re on autopilot, running on fumes.
Pausing interrupts that cycle. It gives your mind a chance to reset. You step back, breathe and permit yourself to regroup.
As Stephen R. Covey said, “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.”
That space – that pause – is where your power lies.
Why Is It So Hard to Pause?
If you’re anything like the women I work with, you’re probably thinking, “I don’t have time to pause.” The thought of stopping, even for a second, feels counterproductive when there’s so much to get done
I get it.
Yet, what if I told you that pausing doesn’t take time, it gives you time?
When you press pause, you’re not giving up. You’re giving yourself the chance to reset. To regain control. To silence that inner critic and choose a response that serves you instead of the chaos.
When you learn to pause, you give yourself a moment to ask:
It’s a simple tool and yet it’s often the missing piece when you’re trying to rebuild your confidence and self-esteem.
How to Master the Power of the Pause
It’s not about turning into a Zen master overnight. It’s about making small and intentional shifts.
Here’s how to start:
Notice the Wobble
The first step is awareness. Pay attention to those moments when your heart is racing, your patience is thinning or your mind is spinning.
Breathe
Take three deep breaths. This simple act triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, the bit of your brain that calms you down.
Step Away (If You Can)
Physically remove yourself from the situation, even if it’s just walking into another room for a minute.
Ask Yourself, “What Do I Need Right Now?”
Sometimes the answer is a solution. Sometimes it’s just a moment of kindness to yourself.
Respond, Don’t React
When you’re ready, return to the situation with clarity and confidence.
Why This Matters to You
You’re not just a mum or a professional. You’re both.
You’re navigating multiple roles and that takes strength. Challenges and setbacks will happen. Life transitions will throw you off course. And yet, your ability to pause and reset is what will keep you moving forward.
Brené Brown says, “We can’t practice compassion with others if we can’t treat ourselves kindly.”
The pause is an act of self-compassion. It’s permitting yourself to press reset before you press on.
If you’re finding it hard to navigate life’s wobbly moments, you don’t have to figure it out alone. My coaching programmes are designed to help high-achieving women like you rebuild confidence, strengthen self-esteem and find clarity in the chaos.
Are you ready to take control of your life? Book a FREE Ignite Your Life coaching by clicking the LINK