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Overwhelm is a Choice
The first time I heard, “Overwhelm is a choice,” steam started coming out of my ears. I became very defensive. There’s no way. I literally have too much on my plate. I literally have impossible deadlines. I literally have a never-ending to-do list. I am literally maxed out on all the things that are required of me in my many roles. I’m in an impossible no-win situation, and overwhelm isn’t a choice; it’s a condition of being me. In this life stage. With these responsibilities.
I can remember that moment years ago. I was in my corporate job, and I had three children under three years old. My calendar was booked through the end of the year. I had a team of 17ish staff needing my attention, to say nothing of my clients. I had an inbox that was never going to see zero again. I was looking to outsource everything: a cleaning service, laundry service, an assistant, a nanny, lawn care, meal planning, all of it.
I thought that if I could only rearrange the puzzle pieces, everything would fall into place. I didn’t have an overwhelm problem — it was a logistical problem. I simply needed to be more efficient and effective at operational management, both personally and professionally.
What hubris, to use a word one of my former bosses is known for.
