When Life Feels Like Too Much: Finding Yourself Beneath the Stress

The Slow Creep of Overwhelm

There have been seasons in my life where stress didn’t just knock on the door—it moved in. Not all at once. But slowly, quietly.

A few extra responsibilities at work. A child not sleeping. The pressure to show up for everyone, to not drop the ball, to be capable, reliable… strong. At first, I’d tell myself, “It’s just a busy week.” Then it became, “It’s just a phase.” Until eventually, I couldn’t remember what it felt like to not feel this way.

It wasn’t just stress anymore. It was living in a constant state of edge. Tired, wired, brittle, and teetering on the edge of burnout.

What Stress Actually Looks Like (and Feels Like)

We throw the word “stress” around all the time. But real stress—the kind that gets into your bones and your breath—can be surprisingly sneaky.

It can show up as:

• Headaches that linger, no matter how much water you drink

• A stomach that flips or clenches when you think about your to-do list

• Restless nights where your brain won’t switch off

• Feeling snappy or shut down with people you love

• A sense that everything is just too much—even things that used to be manageable

And then there’s the quiet stuff:

• The guilt for not being able to “handle it”

• The shame of dropping the ball

• The sense that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough

That’s not weakness. That’s a system that’s been running too hard for too long.

The Invisible Weight of Expectation

For many of us, stress isn’t just about the external pressures—it’s about the internal ones. The voice that says:

• “You should be able to cope with this.”

• “Other people are doing more.”

• “Don’t let anyone down.”

  
  

So we keep going. We push through. And often, we don’t realise the cost until our body says, “No more.”

I know that feeling. I’ve lived it. And I’ve watched so many clients—high-functioning, heart-led, capable people—find themselves quietly falling apart beneath the surface.

It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.

You're Not Meant to Carry It All

Somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that stress is just a part of being an adult. That feeling overwhelmed is normal. That putting yourself last is noble.

But I don’t believe that anymore.Not after what I’ve seen. Not after what I’ve lived.

There comes a point where pushing through stops working.Where managing stress isn’t about ticking one more box—it's about gently asking:

“What do I believe that’s making this feel so heavy?”“Where did I learn that I had to be everything to everyone?”

Because beneath the stress, there’s always a story. And when we can understand that story with kindness—not blame—we start to find new ways to be.

You Deserve Ease, Too

If you’re living in that space right now—where stress is no longer a passing phase but just the way things are—I want you to know: it doesn’t have to stay this way.

You don’t have to keep coping. You don’t have to keep holding it all.

There’s space for you to rest. To soften. To feel steady again.

And maybe, even to breathe a little easier.

Let's Chat.