Simple Steps to Move Past Overwhelm and Into Work-Life Harmony®
The signals are everywhere—racing thoughts during meetings, tension headaches by noon, checking emails at midnight. Overwhelm has become so common we almost see it as normal. But what if our bodies are trying to tell us something different? During a recent Breaking Beliefs coaching session, I sat down with B³ Method team members Andara Michael and Morgan Breland to explore what happens when we actually listen to these signals. Our conversation revealed that creating work-life harmony starts with understanding our own unique response to overwhelm.
The Power of Pausing
We started our session with a simple meditation—a moment to get present and notice what happens in our bodies when we think about overwhelm. This pause set the stage for deeper insights, reminding us that transformation often begins with simply slowing down enough to observe our patterns.
The Body's Wisdom
One of the most striking revelations from our discussion was how our bodies signal overwhelm before our minds catch up. Andara notices changes in her voice—moving from her belly to her throat when stress kicks in. Morgan describes physical symptoms like neck tension and stomach discomfort. These physical cues serve as early warning systems, letting us know it's time to pause and reset.
But it's not just about noticing these signals—it's about creating a practice of responding to them effectively. As Andara pointed out, when we're caught in overwhelm, even remembering to take a breath can feel challenging. That's why building awareness of our physical responses is such a crucial first step.
Different Spaces, Different Responses
Interestingly, we often handle overwhelm differently in various areas of our lives. Andara shared how she tends to charge forward aggressively at work, seeking control where she can find it. But in personal situations, she withdraws. This pattern recognition helps us understand our default responses and create more conscious choices.
This insight opens up an important question: How can we bring our best coping strategies from one area of life into another? Sometimes, our professional strengths can help us navigate personal challenges and vice versa.
The Perfection Trap
A common thread emerged around perfectionism and the desire to appear capable. Both coaches opened up about wanting to "have it all together"—whether at work or during personal events like weddings and travel. This drive for perfection often prevents us from taking the very actions that would help us most, like asking questions or setting boundaries.
Morgan shared how this shows up during travel and special events—focusing on having the perfect outfit but forgetting to plan for basic needs like healthy snacks and quiet moments. This oversight often leads to unnecessary stress and diminished presence during important moments.
Creating Space for Success
One of the most transformative insights from our session was about changing our relationship with slowing down. As Andara shared, our minds often tell us that slowing down isn't efficient. But what if we flip that belief? What if "slowing down speeds me up" becomes our new mantra?
Similarly, Morgan talked about shifting from focusing on what she might be missing to gratitude for the opportunities present in challenging moments. This shift from scarcity to abundance can transform how we experience overwhelm.
The conversation revealed that creating work-life harmony goes beyond perfect balance—intentional choices create space for what matters most. This might mean:
Scheduling brief breaks throughout the day to step outside
Packing snacks that support steady energy
Building in buffer time for unexpected challenges
Taking a moment to breathe before responding to stress
Planning for self-care during busy periods
As Morgan noted, "If you fail to prepare, you're preparing to fail." But this preparation isn't about controlling everything—it's about setting ourselves up for success by attending to our basic needs.
Practical Steps Forward
Through our discussion, several key strategies emerged for managing overwhelm:
Body Awareness
Notice physical signals of stress
Use these as reminders to pause and breathe
Create space for regular movement
Intentional Planning
Prepare for basic needs, not just events
Schedule brief breaks throughout the day
Build in buffer time for unexpected challenges
Mindset Shifts
Replace "slowing down wastes time" with "slowing down speeds me up."
Turn from perfectionism toward progress
Switch from scarcity to gratitude
Making It Personal
The beauty of this work lies in its personalization. What triggers overwhelm for one person might energize another. What works as a coping strategy for someone might not resonate for someone else. That's why building self-awareness is so crucial—it helps us develop strategies that actually work for our unique situations.
The Power of Daily Practice
What became clear through our coaching session is that managing overwhelm isn't about one big change—it's about small, consistent actions that build over time. Just like any other skill, creating work-life harmony requires practice, awareness, and gentle course corrections along the way.
Your Next Step
If you're ready to move from overwhelm to harmony, start by downloading our free 30-day Work-Life Harmony workbook. This practical guide will help you identify your unique triggers and develop personalized strategies for creating more balance in your life.
Remember, the journey to work-life harmony starts with a single intentional step. Which step will you take today?