How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed in 7 Steps [HMHE Podcast – Ep 6]

Published on 18 Oct, 2022

Show Notes – 006: How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed in 7 Steps

In this week’s episode, I share how to stop feeling overwhelmed in seven steps! I talk about getting clear on your priorities so that you have a clear focus, planning with self-awareness so that you can follow through, being decisive, and other steps that you can take to overcome overwhelm and take action.

These steps will help you to get out of your own way so that you can create the change you want to see in the world!

This is the second part of a two-part series on overwhelm, so please check out the first episode, “Why do I feel overwhelmed?” for a deeper discussion on the root causes of overwhelm.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And please subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!

How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed

Below is a brief outline of this week’s episode of the Happy Me Happy Earth podcast. Please tune in to hear the full explanation of each of these steps and personal examples of how I apply them in my life!

Step 1: Identify the thoughts and beliefs that are keeping you overwhelmed

We covered this step in depth last week, but basically, our brain often chooses to keep us overwhelmed for a reason. We often stay overwhelmed because it keeps us in our comfort zone and stops us from taking action and growing!

Ask yourself, “What am I getting from this overwhelm? How is my overwhelm allowing me to stay in my comfort zone?”

I want to encourage you to come to these questions with curiosity and self-compassion, not self-judgment. By building awareness of why our brain chooses to feel overwhelmed we can learn how to stop feeling overwhelmed.

Step 2: Get clear on your top priorities

By identifying the things that matter most to you in life you can begin to prioritize the important things. I talk about the important difference between core priorities and current, top priorities and how we can use them to fuel our self-growth.

Step 3: Get clear on your mission

Having a clear personal mission statement gives your life direction. I call this statement your North Star. It is your compass.

Instead of being swayed by the trends in activism and overwhelmed by all the injustice in the world you can stay focused and spend your time figuring out how to actually create the change that you want to see in the world.

Step 4: Be decisive

Decisiveness is a muscle, so we have to do the reps!

Begin by practicing being decisive about the little things, then work your way up to bigger decisions. By being more decisive we build our self-trust.

If you have a clear North Star then it is easy to identify what opportunities to say “yes” to and which to turn down. Will the opportunity get the help you get closer to your North Star? Then it’s an obvious yes!

Step 5: Plan with self-awareness so that you can follow through!

This step was huge for me and literally revolutionized my life for the better and has allowed me to show up for myself, my family, and my community (you) consistently and without overwhelm.

I first learned how to plan in a way that helps me to avoid overwhelm and actually follow through from the wonderful Sam Laura Brown. What I share in this episode is a modified version of her process that developed from my personal experience with the process and my Ayurvedic training.

Working from a to-do list is a surefire way to keep yourself in a state of overwhelm! Instead, identify the most important things that you want to get done during the week based on your priorities and your North Star. Then actually put them in your calendar!

And be sure to plan around the natural cycles of your body and mind – your energy cycles, mood cycles, motivation cycles, menstrual cycle, etc. You can use a Weekly Review to continue building your self-awareness.

Listen in to hear more about my planning process so that you can learn how to stop feeling overwhelmed by planning with self-awareness.

Step 6: Accept you’re only one person

You’re only one person and can only get so much done in a week. There is a good chance that you’re literally taking on too much!

If find this mindset really helpful: I am in this for the long haul. I will take care of myself now so that I don’t burn out, and so that I can be of service to the planet for decades to come.

Step 7: Connect to community

By connecting to a larger movement or community we can tap into the reality that the weight of the world is not on our shoulders. There are many other people working towards a similar North Star. We can support each other.

I hope this episode was incredibly helpful for you!

Let’s connect & go deeper…

Please subscribe to the HEHM podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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If you’re ready to get out of your own way and learn how to actually create the change you want to see in the world without burning yourself out I want to invite you into my life coaching program – Becoming the Change. Join us when the doors open!

Feedback? Topic suggestions? Ah-ha moments? I’d love to hear from you!

Please email me at hello@theevapeterson.com

Ciao for now!

Music: “Bounce” by Coma-Media on Pixbay

This is a picture of Eva Peterson. She is the host of the Happy Me Happy Earth podcast and a life coach for changemakers and aspiring activists.

Welcome! I'm Eva, host of the Happy Me Happy Earth podcast and blog. This is a place for changemakers, advocates, and aspiring activists to learn, heal, and get inspired. As a certified Life Coach, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, and follow activist I'm here to support you in expanding your impact while thoroughly enjoying your life!