Something unsettling is happening to grown adults — and it’s showing up everywhere. Capable, intelligent people are struggling with basic technology, freezing under pressure, and emotionally shutting down over tasks that used to feel manageable. This episode was sparked by a real moment I witnessed on a live AI coaching call: over 100 adults, clear instructions, a simple AI tool… and a full-scale meltdown. This isn’t about being bad at technology.It’s about overwhelm, pressure, identity, and modern life pushing people past their capacity. In this long-form episode of Mindset Medicine, I break down why grown adults are melting down over simple tech and AI — and why this pattern has accelerated since 2020. You’ll learn: why smart, capable adults freeze when routines break how overwhelm turns into complaining, blaming, avoidance, and shutdown why AI tools are exposing deeper confidence and competence gaps what happens to the brain when there’s too much input at once how chronic stress, uncertainty, and modern work environments lower tolerance for friction why this is not an AI problem — but a human capacity problem and what actually restores clarity, confidence, and agency in a fast-changing world This episode also explains why I created DirectionDNA, a decision and clarity framework designed to reduce mental overload, simplify complex choices, and help people move forward when everything feels stuck. If you’ve felt overwhelmed, reactive, scattered, emotionally exhausted, or unsure why “simple things” feel harder than they should — this conversation will give you language, insight, and perspective. If you’ve felt your patience and focus shrinking, this episode will connect the dots. Take the free 60 second Diagnostic: https://directiondna.scoreapp.com 🧠 Explore DirectionDNA: https://directiondna.com Sign up for my newsletter on my website: https://katharineloucaidoucoaching.com/