When Life Feels Overwhelming: A Gentle Call to Return to Yourself
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to disconnect from ourselves. The world demands more, your schedule is packed, your nervous system is fried—and yet, you keep going. But what if there’s another way – a way that allows you prioritize yourself and what you need most in the midst of the chaos?
If you’ve been looking for ways to recenter yourself when life feels overwhelming, this post is for you.
In moments when life feels overwhelming, I’ve learned not to push harder or keep “doing what I’m supposed to do” through the pressure.
Instead, I slow down.
Not because I don’t have things to do. But because I know this truth in my bones now: when life feels overwhelming, it’s a sign to come back to myself—not abandon myself further.
Overwhelm, for me, is not a weakness. It’s a whisper from within. An invitation to pause and ask: What do I need right now?
What To Do When Life Feels Overwhelming
When I feel like I’m spinning out of control, I’ve learned to get quiet and check in. I give myself permission to shift the focus inward—to prioritize my well-being with intention and care. That might look like:
- Eating nourishing food that makes me feel alive and energetic rather than depleted.
- Hydrating regularly to give my body the water and electrolytes it needs to function well.
- Moving my body, especially through dance and yoga, to release stagnant energy I’ve been holding.
- Spending time in nature—even if it’s just a walk around the block, my bare feet in the grass, or standing in the sun with my eyes closed.
- Listening to my intuition without judgment, and honoring what it tells me—whether that’s to rest, to cry, to journal, or to simply be.
This isn’t a checklist or a productivity hack. It’s a lifestyle shift. It’s choosing to care for myself not just when it’s convenient, but especially when everything feels heavy.
It Only Works if It’s a Regular Practice
One thing I’ve realized is that this only works if I do it consistently. Slowing down once and expecting a full reset doesn’t cut it. Tuning into what my body needs is a daily practice—a rhythm I return to again and again.
When I make that choice—to nourish, to move, to ground—I start to feel like myself again. Recharged. Rooted. Connected. Home.
And that’s the best feeling in the world.
Slowing Down Isn’t Weakness—It’s Wisdom
There’s a story many of us carry that says we should keep going no matter what, power through anything, handle it all. But I’ve found the opposite to be true.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s actually the perfect time to pause. Slowing down helps me remember who I am beneath the noise. It reconnects me to my intuition, my breath, my body, and my truth.
And from that place, I feel grounded again. Recharged. Whole. And more ready to face whatever life throws my way – from a more rooted place.
If You’re in It Right Now…
If you’re in a season that feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Take a moment and ask yourself:
- Have I eaten something real and nutritious today?
- Have I moved my body with kindness?
- Have I taken a deep, cleansing breath that reached all the way down?
- Have I gone outside to breathe in fresh air and feel the Earth beneath me?
- Have I checked in with my inner voice instead of just the noise around me?
Start there. No pressure to do it all. Just begin with one small act of self-care.
You deserve peace. Not because everything is perfect—but because you are worthy of tending to, right here and now.
When life feels overwhelming, come back to your body. Come back to your breath. Come back to yourself.
That’s where your truest power lives.
Your Turn
If you’re navigating a season that feels overwhelming, I invite you to begin again—softly.
Start your day with intention using the She Owns Her Day journal + a mug of nice warm tea —because caring for yourself can be sacred and simple.
Try This Reflection Prompt:
What is my body asking for today—and how can I honor it in a small, loving way?
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XO,
