Finding Calm in the Chaos: How I Coach Myself (and My Clients) Through Overwhelm

This week, I hit that wall of overwhelm - the kind where your mind feels cluttered, your to-do list is endless, and you’re not even sure where to start. You know the feeling: seventeen tabs open in your brain, everything pressing for your attention, and not enough hours in the day.

For years, my default was to power through. I’d make another list, pour another brew, and push myself to keep going. But here’s what I’ve learned (and what I now teach my clients): powering through only feeds the chaos. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop.

So, I self-coached and did what I’d ask any of my clients to do.

Step 1: Name It

First, I paused and noticed what was happening. Instead of trying to brush it off or “just get on with it,” I said out loud, “I feel overwhelmed right now.” Naming the feeling takes away its power and gives you a little breathing space.

Step 2: Get Curious

Next, I asked myself: What’s really going on here? Is it too much work? Too many decisions? Not enough rest? For me, it was a mix of emotional clutter and the unrealistic expectations I’d set for myself, all part of the messy bit in the middle of my next level.

Step 3: Brain Dump

I grabbed a notebook and wrote down everything swirling in my head; every task, every worry, every “should.” Seeing it all on paper made it feel less overwhelming and a lot more manageable.

Step 4: Prioritise What Matters

From that list, I chose three things that truly mattered that day. The rest? It could wait. No guilt, no shame, just permission to step away and give myself what I needed.

Step 5: Move and Reset

Finally, I changed my environment. Ten minutes in the garden with the dog (bad knee and all!), some fresh air, and a little movement was enough to hit reset.

Within an hour, the fog started to lift. Not because I solved everything, but because I remembered I don’t have to. That’s the real magic of coaching. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions when your mind is racing.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, please know you’re not alone - and you’re definitely not broken. You’re just human. Sometimes, we all need a little help finding our way back to calm.

That’s the work I do: helping women quieten the noise, choose calm over chaos, and remember what really matters. If you’re ready for that kind of support, I’m here when you need me.