When Life Feels Like Too Much: My Go-To Reset Plan

 


If you've ever looked at your calendar and thought, “There is no way I can do all of this,” then you’re not alone. As someone who prides herself on being productive, organized, and pretty consistent with my daily habits, even I hit a breaking point sometimes. And right now… it’s June, and I am officially overwhelmed.

People often ask me if I have more hours in my day because I can usually get a lot done. The truth is, I rely on simple, consistent routines that eliminate decision fatigue and help me stay focused. But no matter how disciplined you are, life happens. And when it does, I go into reset mode.

Let me give you a quick picture of what June looks like for me:

  • Week 1: Work trip to California (with a couple of extra days for fun)
  • Less than 24 hours at home before a weekend soccer tournament
  • 2.5 days home, then off to Chicago for another work trip
  • Back home for a day, then my brother and his family arrive
  • We all leave for a family trip to Tennessee for a week
  • Meanwhile, my son starts high school soccer (with 2 a day practices at 7 AM and 6:30 PM three days a week!)

Add in 11 loads of laundry I haven’t folded, zero time for food prep, a messy house, catching up at work, and suddenly I’m snapping at people I love, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because I feel like I can’t keep up.

So, what do I do when I’m overwhelmed?

I go back to the basics. I remind myself that I can only control today. Not next week, not next month…just today. This is how I reset:

 1. Stay Present- When my mind races ahead, I gently bring it back. “What needs to get done today?” Not “How will I survive the month?” This shift helps me prioritize what really matters right now.

 2. Practice the Pause- Even when I feel like I have zero time, I stop. I sit still for 5 minutes, no phone, no list, just my breath. It's basically meditation in its simplest form. This helps me reconnect with myself instead of the chaos.

3. Stick to My Non-Negotiables- No matter how busy life gets, I protect the things that keep me grounded:

  • Move my body every day. It might be a short workout or a walk, but I always move.
  • Fuel my body well. I may not have time for perfect meals, but fast food/junk food isn’t an option. I keep it simple and nourishing.
  • Be present with my family. Even when I’m tired, I carve out time. These moments are fleeting, and I won’t get them back.

 4. Simplify the To-Do List- Instead of staring down a month’s worth of chaos, I zoom in:
“What 2-3 things absolutely must happen today?” I focus on those first. The rest will wait.

5. Give Myself Grace- I won’t fold all the laundry today.  My meals might be a rotisserie chicken and a bag of steamed vegetables. But that doesn’t mean I’ve failed, it means I’m human. Perfection is never the goal—progress and peace are.

If you’re in a season of overwhelm, know that you’re not alone—and that it won’t last forever. Come back to the present. Do what you can. Let the rest go.

And I’d love to hear from you, what do you do when you’re overwhelmed with life, work, kids, or all of the above? Let’s support each other.

With you in the chaos,

Anne


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