We all have moments when things pile up and we feel overwhelmed. Work deadlines collide with personal responsibilities, inbox notifications keep dinging, and our mental bandwidth reaches max capacity. In times like these, it’s easy to shut down or check out from all the pressure. This survival response is a natural self-preservation tactic. But it often leaves relationships strained and goals unattained. So how can we skillfully navigate seasons of overwhelm without losing connection or abandoning personal growth trajectories? Chris and Jake draw from their own experiences to share insights on this universal human struggle. The Stress of Wearing Multiple Hats Life moves fast. Emails ding, duties churn without pause, and pressures creep from all sides. Stress levels rise along with heart rates. Tempers grow short as time grows scarce. We thrash against the quickening current, struggling simply to stay afloat. In these breathless moments — overwhelmed, overworked and overdue — we instinctively narrow our gaze to the churn directly around us. We sever connection in favor of productivity. We silence inspiration’s whisper urging pause under the mistaken belief that furiously treading water is the only way to survive the rapids. Both Jake and Chris share examples of this dynamic and agree that the biggest casualty amidst seasons of high demand can be relational health. When people are under the gun, interactions get shortened and social capital gets drained. Tempers run hotter. Sensitivities heighten. And the shared trust that glues relationships together starts to fray. We being to question our abilities to manage things. We may even ask ourselves “is there something wrong with me?” The Busyness Paradox Why with vastly expanded capacities to accomplish, do many feel increasingly inadequate? Jake argues busyness a poor proxy for productivity, functioning more as barometer for cognitive/emotional load. We mistake perpetual motion for meaningful contribution. Chris affirms, referencing recent workplace expansions leaving him overextended. More hours invested no assurance of value creation. This paradox leaves Chris oscillating between resignation and resentment regarding overloaded obligations. Jake presses on flawed assumptions equating busyness with nobility. Purpose, not pace, align life’s work with soul’s yearning. “We mistake activity for meaning, volume for value.”The Seductive Lie of Isolation When feeling maxed out mentally, emotionally or physically, the instinctive response for many is to retreat inward to regroup. Pausing permits silenced wisdom to emerge. In quiet, cluttered perspectives fall away; we rediscover purpose and priorities. Away from the immediacy of demands and carefully calculating how we might strategically surrender some, soul-nourishing rhythms gently reset. But this desire for isolation, however understandable, can backfire. Jake confessed his own tendencies to withdraw from even close relationships when overwhelmed. “The lie that is so seductive in that moment is that I can just step away, figure this out and then step back in,” Jake admitted. In reality, without intentional outreach from community during these phases, there is little impetus to return. Chris noted that this dynamic is at play in the volunteer sector. Those overwhelmed by the situation they stepped into often simply disappear without warning. This leaves team members confused and abandoned. However, transitions in and out of service are normal and should be destigmatized. The key is establishing feedback channels so people can communicate needs without shame. The Restorative Role of CommunityIsolation proves powerless in bringing restoration. As Chris and Jake discussed, renewal happens in context of community. There is power when overwhelm is reframed from an individual burden to a collective struggle. The simple act of giving voice to feelings of exhaustion, uncertainty or defeat can help dissipate their intensity. Being willing to admit “I just can’t deal with this anymore” signals the critical first step toward freedom. Finding a sympathetic ear instead of shocked judgment makes space for the genesis of hope. This positive contagion buoys spirits and helps put circumstances into perspective. For those coordinating volunteer teams, building a culture of openness is vital. Normalizing cycles of engagement and withdrawal sets realistic expectations. Occasional breaks should be embraced, not condemned. Similarly, avenues for easy reentry after absences prevent volunteers from drifting away permanently. Progress Over Perfection Seasons of overwhelm provide opportunities to reexamine priorities and realign around essentials. Instead of trying to power through every obligation, taking a strategic pause to reset goals clears the path ahead. Progress is preferable over perilous striving for perfection. Learning to work in more sustainable ways prevents the inevitable burnout crash. For some, this means better time management. For others, more margin in their schedule. For still others, saying no more often to preserve energy for what matters most. “Busyness serves as a barometer for emotional and cognitive load, not an indicator of meaningful productivity."Chris and Jake agreed that the best way to inoculate against depletion is by proactively investing in relationships before crunch times hit. Whether at home or work, making deposits in people’s emotional bank accounts through loving connection builds resilience for when storms inevitably come. It also mitigates the damage if hard decisions need to be made during crisis times that impact others. So how do we build sustainability into the approach so that the work can go on but people can step back without having to step away? Rhythmically cycling between giving and receiving, pushing forward and pausing for renewal, is key for healthy long-term social impact. Key Vocabulary: Cognitive load Cognitive load refers to the mental effort and focus required to process tasks and responsibilities. It is the amount of mental resources needed to learn, understand, and retain information. According to the Cognitive Load Theory, there are three types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic cognitive load is the inherent difficulty of the task, extraneous cognitive load is the unnecessary cognitive processing imposed by the learning environment, and germane cognitive load is the cognitive processing that contributes to learning and understanding. Cognitive load can affect learning and performance. When the cognitive load is too high, it can overwhelm the individual and lead to decreased learning and performance. On the other hand, when the cognitive load is appropriately managed, it can enhance learning and problem-solving abilities. Strategies such as breaking down complex tasks, providing clear instructions, and using visual aids can help reduce cognitive load and improve cognitive performance. Performative altruism Performative altruism refers to acts of helping or performing activist efforts primarily for public recognition rather than genuine concern for others. It is when individuals engage in acts of kindness or charitable actions with the intention of gaining social approval or enhancing their image rather than from a gen...
