Feeling Overwhelmed? Tips for Gaining Strength and Finding Balance
Life gets hectic, and sometimes it feels like there’s no way to keep up with everything. You may feel overwhelmed by your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and emotional burdens. But you’re not alone.
I received many great spiritual insights from General Conference this weekend. I felt that a lot of the talks centered on keeping God’s commandments, loving our neighbor, and building unity in a world bent on division.
Many of these talks resonated, but one that stood out the most was about being busy. My days are filled with activity, responsibilities, and expectations. I struggle with the dissonance of giving my kids opportunities to develop their talents while sustaining the speed and demands of my time as I sprint from one activity to the next every day of every week to allow them these opportunities. By the end of the day, I hit my pillow with an enthusiastic thud and fall asleep within seconds, only to start the sprint again the next day. I am burning out, and it concerns me.
Working full-time is a blessing, as Kelcey and I are working hard to pay off debt. Still, since I started, we’ve been slammed with unexpected expenses that have delayed our paying this extra money toward our debts and instead paying for things we didn’t plan for.
Working has also decreased my ability to prepare for the day’s events week by week. Thankfully, there’s grocery delivery, so I can plan a menu and have my groceries delivered without physically being in the store. However, making meals has become quick and careless—some days, skipping the meal plan in favor of ramen or mac and cheese, which the kids have to prepare for themselves because I’m running out the door the moment I walk in it.
My routine of waking up at 4:45 am for a workout is met with contempt rather than the enthusiasm or desire I once held. I go through the motions and dread doing it again the next day. I am grateful for the discipline I’ve built and the habitual routine I’ve created over years of practice to sustain it. Still, it’s tested every day as exhaustion gets heavier and the hours and weeks tick on in rapid, demanding succession.
I fear losing my grip on this vital practice of caring for myself. It’s shown in my food choices as I rush from place to place, stuffing food of lesser quality in my face so that I can fill the void and make it to a game or practice on time. Sugar has become my drug of choice to compensate for my low energy and perpetually exhausted state.
If there isn’t an activity to attend, I wash and fold laundry, prepare a decent meal, clean up the house, and slam into my pillow after a prayer of strength to sustain the speed at which I’m required to run.
I’m not sure what the Elder’s name was who talked about the Japanese word for “busy.” He explained that the word "busy" in Japanese is "isogashii" 忙しい. The kanji symbol "忙" depicts a combination of a "heart" 心 and "dead" 亡 symbol, suggesting the idea of being overwhelmed or occupied with tasks to the point of feeling almost "dead" with work. This description hit hard. I feel dead with work and currently don’t know how to fix it. I’m hoping I’ll receive clarity as I write and that what I discover might help you, too.
To help me with “the busy”
I ask my kids who CAN drive to help carpool kids who can’t, which they do, thank heavens! They don’t even complain, which I’m deeply grateful for. I also try to attend the temple every week to give myself an excuse to rest. I study the gospel and write the things of my soul regularly. I try to serve where possible and give what I can, where and when I can. I fear big callings, and now that Kelcey is no longer Bishop, I am vulnerable, and it freaks me out. How could I add more to my plate? How could I do more? Yet, how could I refuse a calling if the Lord is asking? I wouldn’t, and so I’ll continue to sprint.
The winter months slow things down, which is the only reason I look forward to winter. I’m not sure I’ll receive an answer for how to deal with "the busy" because I’m unwilling to pull activities from my kids simply because I’m tired. They deserve opportunities to do things they love, plus watching them play brings me so much joy.
I can’t stop working because God has invited Kelcey and me to put our house in order.
I can’t say no to callings because if God is asking, He must see something I cannot, and I trust Him to be the author of my life.
I can't stop attending the temple once a week because I need His peace in my life, and the prophet has invited us to attend as often as circumstances allow. As it turns out, I can make time once a week, which also means sacrificing a workout once a week to get there.
Studying the gospel and writing the things of my soul takes a huge chunk of time, but it only helps put things in perspective and gives me strength to endure, so I can’t give that up, either.
My life is filled with activity and demands on my time, none of which feel like they should be sacrificed. It IS busy, so if I feel “dead with work,” perhaps it’s not about dropping the important things or the things that matter to me, but instead dropping my pessimistic perspective.
It may require asking for help and allowing my kids to serve me in a different way or more often. It might require adjusting and simplifying meals or staying up half an hour extra to prep my meals the night before. I’m sure it will require less time on my phone and more time doing meaningful activities like writing and creating.
Life as a disciple of Christ has never been a life of comfort and ease. It’s a sacrifice to serve and follow Jesus Christ, so I keep going despite the times I want to quit.
Here, I thought that the Spirit was inviting me to cut things from my life, but instead, I felt encouragement to focus on the heart part of busy rather than the dead part of it. I get weary in well-doing, but Heavenly Father invites me to lean in.
Lean into the Savior and His power.
Lean into the covenants I’ve made and the promises God gives me because of them.
Lean into the scriptures and truths of the gospel.
Lean into His wisdom, mercy, and grace.
Lean into prayer.
Lean into the blessings He’s given me and continues to give me for striving.
Mathew 11:28-30
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I am “heavy laden” with burdens that often feel too heavy to sustain. Nevertheless, every time I’ve sought the Savior, I’ve been uplifted and strengthened to keep going. He doesn’t always make the “tired” go away, but He does and has increased my stamina to finish. I cannot deny that He sees me. My goal moving forward is to focus on the heart. I will not be “dead with work” if my heart is His.
How Do You Find Strength and Balance?
Share your experiences! Have you found ways to overcome the feeling of being stretched too thin? What helps you manage the chaos and find balance in the midst of it all? Let’s talk about it in the comments—your thoughts may inspire someone else.
Strengthen Your Daily Walk with Christ
Embrace the strength of the Savior with this "Lean Into the Savior" printable! This resource is designed to help you reflect on your day, express gratitude, and recognize how Christ supports you in your journey. With space to jot down what you're grateful for, where you need help, and moments when you felt His strength, this printable encourages daily introspection and spiritual growth. It also includes uplifting scriptures to remind you that with God, all things are possible. Download it now and start your journey of leaning into His grace and strength!
