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Life can be a bit of a paradox because here I am, helping you get your shit together and find focus, when most days, I still feel like a squirrel on about eight shots of espresso.

Seriously, how did I end up here?

And yet, somehow, I’ve found ways to keep moving forward, even when life feels overwhelming.

So, if you’re juggling 50 different projects, barely keeping up, and wondering how on earth you’re supposed to “get it together,” trust me – you’re in good company. Let’s dive in and explore how I’ve navigated this chaos and how you can too.

I’ve always been someone who oscillates between having everything perfectly organized and watching it all dissolve into absolute chaos. One week, I’m on top of every task, every deadline, every plan. Things are going great!

The next, my desk is buried under a mountain of papers, my to-do list is a joke, and I’m wondering how I let it all get this messy.

Looking back, I can see a pattern. I’ve taken on too many projects, said yes when I should have said no, and pushed myself to the brink of burnout more times than I care to admit.

And the worst part? I got really good at masking it. From the outside, it probably looked like I had it all together. But inside? Total overwhelm. It was exhausting, and it left me questioning how I could ever help myself, let alone anyone else, keep it all together.

So, let’s talk about how I started to unravel this overwhelm. The first step was understanding it – figuring out what was really going on beneath the surface. I started by asking myself some questions:

• What’s triggering the overwhelm?
• How and where is it showing up in my life?
• What patterns keep popping up that make me feel like I’m spinning my wheels?

For me, the triggers were often tied to overcommitment and perfectionism. I’d take on too much because I didn’t want to let anyone down, and then I’d get stuck in this loop of trying to do everything perfectly.

Recognizing those patterns was a game-changer because it helped me see that the problem wasn’t me or my abilities – it was the unrealistic expectations I was putting on myself.

Once I started recognizing those patterns, I turned my attention to something more important: my core values. What truly mattered to me? What did I want my life to look like? To figure this out, I reflected on past experiences – times when I felt really aligned with who I am and times when I felt completely out of sync.

Through that reflection, I identified a few core values: creativity, authenticity, and connection. When I looked at the triggers and patterns contributing to my overwhelm, it became clear that I was often making decisions that didn’t align with those values.

For example, saying yes to projects I didn’t care about just to please someone else was draining my energy and pulling me away from the things that actually mattered to me.

So, I started working on realigning my actions with my values. It’s not a quick fix, but every time I made a decision that honored my values, I felt a little less anxious and a little more at peace.

The next piece of the puzzle was self-compassion – a skill I am still working on, by the way. For so long, I was my own worst critic. If I couldn’t keep up with everything, I’d beat myself up for not being “good enough.” But perfectionism is a trap. It’s unattainable, and chasing it only leads to burnout.

So, I started practicing self-compassion. When I dropped the ball on something, instead of berating myself, I tried to respond the way I would to a friend – with kindness and understanding. I also made space for self-care, which, for me, looks like quiet time with a good book, going for a walk, or even just sitting and doing nothing for a few minutes.

I began to embrace my quirks. The things I used to see as weaknesses – like my tendency to jump between tasks or my love for nerdy deep dives – are actually strengths when I use them intentionally. Your quirks aren’t flaws; they’re part of what makes you amazing.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without a little experimentation. I started treating my life like a series of experiments. What happens if I try a new task management app? Or if I block out time for creative projects? Or if I take Sundays completely off?

Experimentation gave me the freedom to try new ideas and tools without the pressure of getting it “perfect.” It also helped me develop personalized strategies for managing my thoughts and tasks. Some things worked great; others…not so much. But every experiment taught me something valuable about what works for my brain and my life.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to try the same approach. Start small. Pick one thing you want to experiment with. Test it out, reflect on how it feels, and tweak it as needed.

Another thing that’s been a game-changer for me is building supportive communities. Finding like-minded people who understand your challenges can make all the difference. Whether it’s an online group, a coworking session, or just a friend who “gets it,” having that support system can provide encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging.

If you can’t find a community that feels right for you, consider creating one. Invite a few friends to join you in experimenting with new habits or tackling projects together. You don’t have to go it alone – there’s strength in connection.

So, here’s the takeaway for today: Overwhelm happens. It’s part of being human. But when we take the time to understand our triggers, reconnect with our values, and embrace our quirks, we can start to shift from chaos to clarity. It’s not about getting it “perfect”; it’s about finding what works for you and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace.

*Some links on this page may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase anything from those links, I would make a small commission. There’s no additional cost to you when you purchase, it just contributes to the building of my home library 😉

Read all of my blog posts about organizing.