Overwhelm and Burnout

Are You Feeling Overwhelmed? Possibly heading towards burnout?

How often do you find yourself saying, "I'm so overwhelmed; I'm going to burn out"?

I remember a time in my life when the word "overwhelmed" was a frequent part of my vocabulary. Brené Brown describes being overwhelmed as an extreme level of stress, emotional intensity, or cognitive intensity to the point of feeling unable to function. There are many circumstances in life that warrant the term "overwhelmed," but sometimes I wonder if we use the word when what we really mean is "stressed."

Let me explain. Life—work, family, and all the expectations placed upon us—can become extremely stressful. We evaluate our circumstances, and when things feel unpredictable and out of our control, we can feel overloaded. Yet, we often manage to cope. However, there are times when it feels as if our mental and physical capacities are maxed out. Our nervous systems are in overload. Recognizing the difference between stress and overwhelm can be very helpful. When we stay in a state of overwhelm for too long, it can lead to burnout.

During a recent coaching session, an image came to my mind: the mighty ship, the Titanic. What led to the Titanic's downfall? Was it just the iceberg? One might think so, but history teaches us otherwise. The reality was that the iceberg wasn’t spotted in time; the binoculars weren’t available, and the ship was headed straight for it. By the time they finally saw the iceberg, there was not enough time to change course.

This situation mirrors our lives regarding burnout. We keep going, pushing through, and living in a state of overwhelm until it’s too late. There’s often no course correction available to prevent us from crashing into the proverbial iceberg of our lives.

But what if we could spot the signs of impending burnout? What if we could notice the iceberg ahead and start to make the necessary adjustments? Even if the iceberg is still in view, we won't necessarily crash into it if we can navigate our way around it.

If this resonates with you, it may be time to consider life coaching. If you often find yourself saying, "I'm so overwhelmed," perhaps there are adjustments that can be made. Small course corrections—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually—can help guide your life away from the burnout that comes when we remain in a state of overwhelm for too long. One of the things I love about coaching is the opportunity to listen and notice common phrases. Reflecting back with curious questions can help individuals unpack the places where they feel stuck.

There is a way out; I’m living proof. After years of navigating my life from a place of overwhelm in fact led to burn out, I can assure you there is a path forward. Often, the way out is through—through the overwhelm. It involves looking closely at our familiar patterns, recognizing our triggers, and understanding how we keep our stories alive in our day-to-day lives. If this sounds like something you would benefit from exploring, consider reaching out for a free 30 minute coaching session. Coaching could be a valuable resource for you during this time. I would love to connect.