Feeling Overwhelmed? Try My Simple Method to Combat Overwhelm Paralysis

A woman holding paperwork, with her hand to her head.I’m overwhelmed by Overwhelm Paralysis. Are you?

If you are anything like me, you have a lot going on. Being a mother goes hand-in-hand with busyness.

I find myself in a frequent state of Overwhelm Paralysis. I love me a To-Do list but mine is miles long. I’m usually too smothered by it to even start making progress on the tasks. I’m not sure if this is a casualty of being a woman, carrying the mental load of my family, or being a Type A person. I’m guessing it’s all three.

A blank to-do list.For me, the problem lies in translating my checklist into action when it becomes lengthy. I tend to freeze.

So Here’s How I Cope

I break down tasks into four 15-minute chunks when I’m feeling especially overwhelmed. I’ll pick an area of concern — be it work responsibilities, household chores, my general To-Do list, etc. — and force myself to spend an hour getting things done, balls to the wall.

This method even works for fun stuff, like keeping in touch with friends, planning for an upcoming vacation, or dabbling in creative endeavors. Even enjoyable things can pile up and feel like too much sometimes.

Let Me Explain

I’m calling it the Quarter Circle Method (QCM).

I start by drawing a circle and splitting it into quarters. In each quarter I’ll write down what I’d like to work on for the allotted 15 minutes. The point is to devote a little bit of time to a few things so you can feel like you’ve made some progress toward your goals. Maybe you’ll even reach a goal or two during that timeframe.

The four 15-minute chunks can happen consecutively or separately during the day — it’s really whenever you find uninterrupted time to commit to each chunk.

The key is to set a timer, stop when it chimes, move on to the next thing, and revel in your accomplishments after the hour is up!

Following this method often helps ease my Overwhelm Paralysis to the point where I’ll circle back to unfinished tasks and actually complete them in their entirety. It really helps me get unstuck. Hurrah!

A Few Examples to Combat Overwhelm Paralysis

Work Responsibilities

A chart to help combat Overwhelm Paralysis: A circle divided up into four sections. The work task circle says write intro, line up interviews, read about writing process, and research.I’ve been feeling especially paralyzed by my current work task: writing a book. I’m excited about it but also intimidated by all that I have to do. I’ve been using QCM to help me make progress on it when I’m not at my real job.

Rather than feeling swamped by stress and doing nothing, I’ll spend an hour a day taking baby steps towards my book’s completion.

Fifteen minutes spent working on different components gives me a sense of accomplishment and brings me just a little bit closer to the end goal.

Strengthening Relationships

A chart to help combat Overwhelm Paralysis: A circle divided up into four sections. The relationships circle says call Mom, quickie with hubby, text friends to say hi, and play game with kiddos..As I mentioned before, QCM can help you prioritize fun stuff too. Maintaining and strengthening relationships is so important but often gets put on the back burner when life gets hectic.

Try this method for devoting chunks of time to those you love the most, even on the busiest of days. It may feel contrived to schedule them in like appointments but isn’t that better than not devoting any time to them at all?

Hint: If you allot time for “Quickie with Hubby” make sure he knows about QCM upfront. Skip the foreplay and get down to business!

Creative Endeavors

A chart to help combat Overwhelm Paralysis: A circle divided up into four sections. The creativity circle says crochet, make soap, resin art, and macrame.I am a habitual craft supply hoarder and a dreamer of projects that I fail to start. My Pinterest account will attest to this: lots of lofty ideas, very few of them accomplished. I have great intentions but poor follow-through. I’ve used QCM to help motivate me to finally dive into these projects.

In this circle, I plugged in four different craft kits currently taking up residence in my closet: crochet, soap-making, resin, and macramé.

In an hour’s time, I was able to familiarize myself with each kit and figure out the next steps toward actually using them. Maybe next week I’ll use this same circle and make some more progress on my kits.

Some Last Thoughts on Overwhelm Paralysis

  • Feeling overwhelmed by your emotions? QCM works for that too. Circle up four ways that help you alleviate stress and do those things! Some 15-minute ideas: vent to a loved one, take a power nap, watch something ridiculous on YouTube, go for a walk, etc.
  • Try working on a circle each day. Start with whatever feels the most overwhelming to you at that moment.
  • On days that feel less stressful, try a circle that will help you accomplish things you’ve been meaning to get around to, like my crafting example, reading that novel on your nightstand, or organizing your closet.
  • Break free from Overwhelm Paralysis and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from achieving your goals. Slow and steady wins the race.
Jenna Arsenault
Jenna is a Maine native who moved to Charleston in 2006, moved away for a while, then moved back again in 2018. She just couldn’t stay away from this city that feels like home! She’d choose palm trees over pine trees any day of the week. Jenna and her husband of 14 years have two rambunctious sons, ages 11 & 8, and live in Mount Pleasant. A social worker, registered nurse, and postpartum doula by trade, she is passionate about maternal mental health and is currently writing a book on the subject. Jenna loves to read, kayak, paint in watercolor, and travel with her family. Visit her personal blog on all things motherhood at www.snarkmom.com.