How to Feel Less Overwhelmed and Enjoy Your Life More

The weather in Ohio has been spectacular lately.

The sky is robin’s-egg blue. The trees are a symphony of red, orange, and gold. The afternoons are warm enough to enjoy, while the cool mornings are perfect for walking in the woods with my husband and our dog.

Last week, I looked at the forecast and saw several beautiful, sunny days ahead.

And I immediately felt discouraged.

That surprised me. Why would gorgeous weather make me feel bad?

Then I noticed the thought underneath it:

The weather is perfect—and I have so much to do.

It was only a fleeting thought, but I could feel its effect. Instead of looking forward to the week, I already felt pressured and deprived—as if all that beauty were happening around me and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.

My next thought was:

I wish I were on vacation.

And that didn’t help either.

Then I wondered: Why couldn’t I decide that I am on vacation?

How a Vacation Mindset Can Reduce Overwhelm

I didn’t mean ignoring my work, abandoning my responsibilities, or pretending I had no obligations. I simply decided to experiment with bringing a vacation mindset into an ordinary week.

Each morning, I reminded myself:

I’m on vacation, and I’m going to enjoy being outside as much as I can.

Then I planned my day.

I still worked. I took care of the things that needed my attention. But I also made time to walk outside, see friends and family, and enjoy this short, beautiful season.

Whenever I have so much to do appeared, I practiced replacing it with:

I’m on vacation. There is room in this day for responsibility and enjoyment.

The week wasn’t perfect. I didn’t feel relaxed every minute, and I certainly didn’t complete everything on my list.

But I enjoyed it more.

In fact, the experiment worked so well that I decided to take another “vacation” this week.

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Notice the Thoughts Creating Your Overwhelm

As we move toward the holiday season, begin noticing when your mind offers some version of:

I have so much to do.

What happens in your body when you think that? Do you feel rushed, tense, resentful, or overwhelmed?

And how do you want to feel instead?

Calm? Organized? Present? Joyful?

Our thoughts don’t control every circumstance, but they influence how we experience our lives and how we move through our days.

For me, I have so much to do is poison. It’s a deeply ingrained neural pathway I’ve practiced for years. It may continue to appear, but I don’t have to follow it.

I can notice it and consciously choose a thought that helps me create the experience I actually want.

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You Don’t Have to Finish Everything to Enjoy Your Life

This week, try asking yourself:

If I were on vacation, how would I experience this day differently?

Maybe you would take your coffee outside. Go for a walk after dinner. Call someone you love. Look up from your list long enough to notice the autumn sky.

You don’t have to leave town, or finish everything, to begin enjoying your life.

Start with creating an intention for your day or your week.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I feel less overwhelmed when I have a lot to do?

Start by noticing the thoughts adding pressure to your responsibilities. Instead of repeatedly telling yourself, I have so much to do, try a more supportive thought such as, I can take care of what matters and still make room to enjoy my day.

What is a vacation mindset?

A vacation mindset is an intentional decision to slow down, become more present, and make room for enjoyment—even during an ordinary week. It doesn’t require avoiding your responsibilities or traveling somewhere new.

Can changing my thoughts really reduce overwhelm?

Changing your thoughts cannot remove every difficult circumstance, but it can change how you feel and respond. A more supportive thought may help your nervous system feel safer and allow you to approach your day with greater calm and clarity.

How can I enjoy life during a busy season?

Look for small, realistic moments of enjoyment rather than waiting for your schedule to become completely clear. Drink your coffee outside, take a short walk, play music while you cook, or spend time with someone you love.