Everything Feels Hard Right Now: How to Calm Your Mind and Do Less

Weekly Dose of Work Recovery Vol. 2.5.25

I'm not going to sugar coat it. Everything feels hard. It feels heavy. And volatile. If you're feeling this too, you're not alone. And the reality is that it can feel impossible to get motivated or stay focused when everything is so damn hard - from layoffs to stock market mayhem to tariffs to TikTok bans. It's a lot. 

In my research on burnout, the most common work wound, I've learned that when things are especially daunting, overwhelming, and stress-inducing, we have a choice. We can either push through, ignoring our body's cues and battling against ourselves, which can lead to burnout. Or we can approach things differently. 

I'm reading a masterful book that digs into the research: How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey, and I want to share three powerful yet practical approaches that he found when his own motivation was scarce and everything felt like a struggle:

1. Consciously Focus on Doing Less

When stress peaks, productivity plummets. If you found yourself doomscrolling like me last week, I learned that it's an a obvious sign of stress levels rising. Bailey shared that instead of doing more to "catch up," do less - but more intentionally. Try this today:

• Choose three key priorities and forget the rest. Give yourself permission to do less but finish what truly matters.

• Set short bursts of focus (like 20-30 minutes) with built-in rest. This lowers cognitive overload and actually improves performance.

Let go of multitasking. Calm comes from focus, not from overloading yourself.

2. Unschool the Idea That Rest Isn't Productive

When everything feels urgent, rest feels like failure. But in truth, rest is what helps you regulate your nervous system so you can perform better. According to Bailey, rest isn’t the enemy, stress is. I needed this reminder when I was rage cleaning yesterday… He suggested this instead:

• Incorporate micro-moments of rest. Even 5 minutes of breathing or stepping outside can break the stress spiral.

Swap the idea of "earned rest" for "intentional recovery." You don't need to crash to justify rest. Rest is what keeps you from crashing. I forget that sometimes, you too?

Ask yourself: What’s one small recovery action I can take right now to recharge?

3. Lean into Acceptance, Not Resistance

Fighting or ignoring the emotional impact of tough times worsens the overload. Acknowledging emotions and discomfort helps you move through it faster. Below is a tactic to do this productively (without the anxiety spiral!): 

• Practice "productive worrying." Instead of trying to avoid worry or anxiety, schedule 10-15 minutes to sit with it. Write down your concerns, then let them go.

Remind yourself: Not every thought needs a response. Sometimes acknowledging the thought is enough by getting it out of your head. The goal isn’t to eliminate the emotion or overwhelm - it’s to reduce the resistance that keeps you stuck.

Small Shifts, Big Impact

When everything feels overwhelming, know this: You don’t have to fix everything today. But you can take one small step to reduce stress and regain focus. Give yourself grace. We're all navigating heavy waters, but with the right tools, you don’t have to sink.

Which of these shifts can you try today? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what’s resonating with you. To more ease and less overwhelm this week. 

P.S. If you want to commit to saving your sanity in 2025, I invite you to consider the Conscious Leadership Academy where we'll set 90 minutes aside for 10 weeks with regulation practices, discussion, and enrichment on presence, productivity, and protecting your peace at work. Book a call here: 30 minute free consult. 

This Week's Did You Know?

Have you been “promoted outwards”?

Companies are getting “cute” about the way they talk about RIFs and layoffs saying employees have been “promoted outwards." Let's call a spade a spade please. Just like return to office programs as a guise to lay off people while avoiding having to pay separation and unemployment benefits. Call me not a fan. 

Source:  LVMH CEO Article on Fortune

Links & Resources We Love Right Now

• A listen: Raye's music. Whoa. I heard her power vocals at the Grammy's and was mesmerized, but her trauma-processing, genre-busting anthems are next level for survivors and thrivers. If you dare, Hard Out Here is a wronged-woman's anthem.

• A learn: In Bailey's book referenced above, he talks about SUPERSTIMULI that hijack our brain's attention and reward systems. Any guesses? Big three are social media, binge-worthy entertainment, and highly processed food. Things to avoid if you already feel anxious and overwhelmed.

• A shoutout: People sharing their art, their music, and their creativity. My anthem this year is courage and in addition to the helpers, I'm getting fuel from the artists. 

• Something I love: Cowboy Carter tour. Cowboy Carter best country album. Cowboy Carter best album. It's Bey's world. We're just living in it.