How to Feel More Like Yourself When Life Gets Overwhelming

There are days—weeks, even—when life feels like it’s getting the best of you. The constant juggle between work, family, personal expectations, and everything in between can leave you feeling drained. Sometimes, it’s as if you’re just going through the motions, doing what needs to be done but not really living. You’re stuck in this cycle of trying to please everyone, chasing endless goals, and somewhere along the way, you forget what it feels like to just be you.

I’ve been there. In fact, I’ve found myself stuck in that exact place more times than I’d like to admit. I remember a time not so long ago when I felt so disconnected from myself that I couldn’t remember the last time I felt truly present in my own life. It was as if I was a spectator, watching everything happen around me but never feeling in control of it.

But slowly, and with a lot of patience, I started finding my way back. I learned that when life feels overwhelming, it’s not about making drastic changes or overhauling everything at once—it’s about coming home to yourself, little by little. If you’re feeling lost right now, know that it’s okay. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Reconnecting with yourself is a journey, and the most important part is to take that first step, however small it might be.

Reclaiming Your Space—A Reflection of You

The first step I took was one that seemed simple but, in reality, was life-changing: I started with my space. I realized that the environment I was in was directly reflecting how I was feeling inside. A cluttered space felt like a cluttered mind, and the more I avoided it, the more overwhelming everything became.

So I started small. I cleared out the things that no longer served me—old clothes, expired products, piles of paper that had been sitting there for months. Each item I removed felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about creating space—physically and mentally—to breathe again.

By decluttering my space, I began to reclaim it as my sanctuary. It was no longer a place that just housed my belongings; it became a space that reflected who I wanted to be: calm, grounded, and present. It felt like opening a window after being trapped in a room for too long.

Rewriting Your Daily Rhythm

The next shift came when I realized that I had let my daily routine take the wheel. I was living life in a fog, rushing from one thing to the next without taking a moment to check in with myself. My days felt like a never-ending series of tasks, none of which really aligned with who I was at my core.

So, I began asking myself: What would my ideal day look like? And how could I make that happen, even in small doses?

I started with tiny shifts: taking ten minutes every morning for myself—whether it was reading something that inspired me or simply sitting in silence with a cup of coffee. At night, I gave myself permission to disconnect, even if just for an hour, to do something that made me feel connected to my soul. It wasn’t always easy, and sometimes I felt guilty for taking that time. But I had to remind myself: If I didn’t make space for me, I would continue to lose pieces of myself along the way.

Slowly, those small pockets of time became non-negotiable. They weren’t a luxury—they were necessary. And, in time, they added up to something much bigger: a life that felt more intentional, more aligned with the real me.

Healing the Mind and Body—One Step at a Time

When you're overwhelmed, it's easy to push your health to the back burner. Sleep becomes optional. Eating well becomes a distant thought. And you end up burning out, physically and emotionally, because you’ve forgotten to check in with your body.

One of the most profound things I’ve learned in this process is that taking care of myself doesn’t make me selfish—it makes me stronger. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing something to nurture yourself every single day.

For me, it started with something as simple as drinking more water, stretching when I woke up, or making sure I went to bed earlier. It wasn’t dramatic—it didn’t need to be. But it made all the difference. The more I gave my body what it needed, the more energy I had for the things I loved, and for the people I wanted to be present with.

Reconnecting with What Brings You Joy

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that joy doesn’t just come from big events or achievements—it comes from the quiet, everyday moments. But when you’re overwhelmed, those moments often slip by unnoticed. I realized that I had to carve out time for the things that made me feel alive again.

For me, it was dancing around the kitchen to my favorite songs, taking spontaneous drives to nowhere, or even journaling to clear my head. These little moments didn’t add to the stress—they released it.

It’s so easy to forget that we deserve joy. We think we have to work, perform, or achieve something first before we can feel good. But what I’ve learned is that joy is a choice. It’s in the quiet moments, the laughter, the creativity. When you make room for these things, they remind you of who you are—at your best.

Small Shifts, Big Change

If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, I want you to know that it’s okay. You don’t need to make massive changes or figure everything out all at once. It’s the small, consistent actions that add up over time.

By reclaiming your space, creating new habits, nurturing your body, and reconnecting with your joy, you’re doing something so important: you’re rediscovering who you are. You’re giving yourself permission to show up for you, every single day, and that, more than anything, will create the kind of change that sticks.

Take it one day at a time. Be gentle with yourself. Because you are worth every little shift you make—and you deserve to feel like you again.