When Full Feels Like Too Much
This season, I feel really full.
I’m talking a full calendar (I’ve traveled for work more than I ever have this year), full inbox, full house, and most of all, a full brain.
Hitting the Goal and Feeling the Weight
Here’s what happened: I set a goal this year to bring in more of my own coaching clients to shift away from relying on coaching firms and start building my work more independently. And I’m really happy and grateful to say that it worked!
With all that comes a feeling of overwhelm. I am so beyond grateful that I was able to do this, but hitting a goal doesn’t always make our lives easier. Sometimes it feels like scrambling to keep up with the success you created. I’m sort of wondering how my calendar got this packed when I’ve managed it well for so many years now! I’m proud of myself and feeling overwhelmed at the same time.
Alignment Isn’t Always Easy
It feels aligned with what I wanted, yes. I love the clients I’m working with right now. We’re doing deep, meaningful work that reminds me why I do this. The truth is, alignment doesn’t always mean ease. You can be on the right path and still feel stretched thin.
Add to that: I just bought a new house and we’re renovating. I need to prioritize my kids' growing lives. We've had a few health curveballs this fall. Life is full on every front.
Small Wins Matter
Even as I hold space for my clients, I notice how easy it is to slip into old habits when things get busy. It’s easy to fall into multitasking, skipping meals, and being unaware of our own mental load. One client told me recently she managed to fit in a workout that week. Just one. And it was a big deal for her, and for me as her coach.
It stuck with me because I know how hard it can be to carve out just a sliver of time for yourself without feeling guilty about it. It’s a win when we don’t let the overwhelm stop us from doing what our bodies and minds need.
When the Coach Feels Like the Client
When you’re juggling so much, it’s hard to get out of your own head. You start to think this is just how it has to be. That you should be able to manage it all without asking for help, and you’re the only one not figuring it out.
Lately, though, I’ve felt like the client.
Usually, I’m at a lower level of stress/intensity than my clients, but lately I’ve been feeling more of that overwhelming feeling… and I don’t like it! I’ve been working on it, though. For example, it’s a bummer, but we decided not to do Christmas cards this year as neither of us has the capacity to do it. I backed out of being the hockey manager for my son’s team, and I’ve been able to offload a few other kids’ school commitments. I need to remember what I know and try actually to live it. I want to remind myself that just because I can carry a lot doesn’t mean I always should.
I don’t really have a list of things to try or habits to reset. I just want to say: if you’re feeling full in a way that’s more heavy than nourishing, you’re not alone.
This season, may we find small ways to make space.