Overwhelm, Meet Your Match
How CDC unlocks your potential.
Welcome! This is Hope Sparks, a weekly newsletter about making changes in our lives.
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I’m diving into:
Overwhelm is an emotion.
Types of thinking that land us in overwhelm.
Moving through overwhelm with CDC. Nope, it’s not what you think.
A podcast that helped move me out of overwhelm.
"You can't calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass." - Timber Hawkeye
Overwhelm is an emotion
Are you prepared for something revolutionary?
Overwhelm isn't simply a result of the numerous tasks and responsibilities in your life.
Instead, it's an emotion—a feeling that arises within us, shaped by our thoughts.
Consider this: All those items on your to-do list, family obligations, and roles you juggle aren't inherently overwhelming. It's the way you perceive and think about—your feeling about them that creates that sense of overwhelm.
What? Overwhelm is not an actual truth, or thing?
Nope. It is a choice about how we respond to life with a feeling.
Yes, this equation rocked my mind. You?
Types of thinking that lead to overwhelm
Do any of these sound familiar?
Black and White Thinking: This is when our brain sees things in extremes. If we can't handle all of it, we believe we can't handle any of it.
'Should' Thinking: This occurs when we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves based on false assumptions. Comparing ourselves to others and thinking we should be able to do what they do can be discouraging rather than motivating.
Perfectionist Thinking: When we obsess over small details and lose sight of the bigger picture, we stop making progress and feel overwhelmed. It's like being stuck in quicksand, exhausting and unproductive.
People-Pleasing Thoughts: Instead of prioritizing our own needs and desires, we end up with a long to-do list filled with everyone else's priorities—work, kids, parents, and more. It leaves little time for what truly matters to us. Sound familiar?
Ready to move beyond?
Get ready to revamp how you handle overwhelm.
In this video, we'll explore how overwhelm isn't caused by the chaos in your life, but by your thinking. Join me as we uncover practical strategies to conquer overwhelm, take control, and live with intention.
ps. I recorded this for the participants in my WEvolve Collective coaching cohort last year. Many of these incredible women moving through change tell me they watch and re-watch this video as a gentle reminder of what’s possible.
Moving through overwhelm with CDC
"The only way to deal with pressure is to apply it." - Louis Nizer
This is personal. I landed on this recipe for moving through overwhelm because? I hit a massive, throbbing wall of overwhelm in 2014.
The turning point came when I reached a breaking point. Overwhelmed by the types of thinking that imprisoned me and the nagging tug of unfulfilled dreams, I knew I had to make a change. I couldn't continue down a path that stifled my creativity.
A path that left me feeling unfulfilled.
That's when I made a decision to clutch the reigns. To give myself permission to pursue my life aligned with my values.
A conscious life that not only supported my health but rippled out to everyone around me.
Instead I leaned into what I affectionately call CDC.
I fiddled with it. I practiced it. I leaned in to it.
CDC swept my life in a beautiful direction.
(C) Constraint: Start by intentionally setting a constraint or limitation in your life that simplifies things and aligns with your values.
For example: I've added a constraint to keep my mornings free for my exercise and writing routine. This aligns with my value of fueling my Hopey energy tank and helps me avoid adding other people's to-do's or needs to my schedule.
(D) Discipline: Once you've established your constraint, discipline is key to staying focused. Remember, you can always find a solution to move forward. Your brain is designed to adapt and create new pathways to seize opportunities.
For example: Some mornings can be challenging with unexpected interruptions from my kids or husband. However, I communicate the importance of my morning routine to them and how it positively impacts my day. Surprisingly, they support me and find alternative ways to contribute. It's like a ripple effect of intentional decision-making.
(C) Consistency: Consistently applying your chosen constraint with discipline is what solidifies this new habit. By prioritizing values and intentionally showing up for yourself, demonstrates to your brain that you can evolve and overcome challenges.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed when faced with increased workload or changing schedules, I consciously choose to follow CDC - Constraint, Discipline, Consistency.
I practice constraint by giving myself fewer options and aligning my choices with my values.
I deliberately discover how my brain can adapt to different situations and make decisions in line with my purpose.
I stay committed to my chosen task, avoiding decision fatigue by making decisions ahead of time.
Rather than feeling unsure about what to do, I take action and observe the outcomes (sometimes this leads to awesome failures).
I allow myself to learn and grow.
My invitation to you
Amidst the chaos and overwhelm, there is a glimmer of hope.
A tiny voice inside you that refuses to be silenced—a whisper of possibility, of potential, of a life lived with purpose and your unique values.
It's a vision that haunts your dreams and occupies your thoughts.
I urge you to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown. To explore test driving my CDC approach. Bit by bit you will build new muscles.
"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." - Chinese Proverb
Behind Overwhelm - a podcast about our nervous system.
THIS BLEW MY MIND! Understanding our nervous system - with Sarah Baldwin - a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Trauma Coach who is trained in Polyvagal interventions offered simplified explanation of the ancient human system that rears up when we feel overwhelmed.
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See you next week. If you enjoyed this read, please invite your friends.
In your corner,
With love,
Hope
So many juicy nuggets within in this article and I absolutely love this: "Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." - Chinese Proverb. So simple and so true....I want to be Relaxed!! Thank you for your sharing of your wisdom!