There are days when I sit down to work, ready to move forward, and instead, I feel frozen. I stare at my to-do list, knowing exactly what needs to get done, but something inside me refuses to move. The weight of everything happening in the world from the state of politics to financial uncertainty, as well as an endless stream of bad news can at times, all feel like too much.

As everyone does, I want to believe I can be successful, that I can build something meaningful, create financial freedom, and live a life filled with travel and joy. But when everything around me feels so uncertain, my mind spirals into doubt. What if it doesn’t work? What if it’s too late? What if all this effort leads nowhere?
Does any of this sound familiar?

Well, I am human and have these moments like everyone else. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way. I know so many people are struggling to hold onto hope when everything feels like it’s shifting under their feet. I also know that none of us can afford to stay stuck. We all have dreams, we do and have work that matters, and I don’t know about you, but I refuse to let fear and overwhelm dictate my future.

When I find myself in this place, I have to remind myself of a few things and today, I am sharing with you in hopes that this might support and help you, if even just a little bit.

Acknowledging the Overwhelm

The first thing I do is recognize that there is nothing wrong with me for feeling this way. The world is heavy. The uncertainty is real. And as someone who deeply cares—not just about my own success, but about the well-being of others, about the future, about the state of the world—it makes sense that I feel exhausted.

But caring does not mean we have to carry everything. We do not have to solve the world’s problems before we take care of ourselves. We do not have to wait for stability in the world before we create stability in my own lives. I remind myself that it is okay to protect my own energy, to focus on what I can control instead of drowning in everything I cannot.

Breaking Free from Inertia

Overwhelm feeds on inaction. The longer I stay frozen, the harder it is to move. My brain tells me that if I can’t do everything right now, then I might as well do nothing at all. I have learned that the only way out of this cycle is to take one small step.

When I feel stuck, I don’t try to tackle my entire business. I don’t think about landing five high-ticket clients or creating the perfect marketing plan. Instead, I focus on the smallest possible action that moves me forward. I write one email. I reach out to one person. I spend ten minutes working on a small, manageable task. The blog you are reading may very well be that one thing on this day.

I remind myself that I don’t need to do everything today. I just need to do something. And something is always better than nothing.

Setting Boundaries with Negativity

One of the hardest things for me to do, is pull myself away from the endless stream of bad news. It feels irresponsible to not stay informed, as if turning away means I don’t care. But I have also learned that constantly consuming negativity doesn’t make me more prepared—it just makes me more anxious. That is because your brain interprets all of that negative information as ‘danger’ which causes your flight/fight/fawn/freeze, also known as the sympathetic nervous system, to get engaged. Moreover, you are not betraying or going against your values by protecting yourself and your mindset by setting boundaries on what information you feed yourself.

So, I set limits. I check the news once a day (or at least I try to stick to once/day). I avoid sources that thrive on fear and sensationalism. I remind myself that stepping back doesn’t mean I don’t care rather; it means I am choosing to preserve the energy I need to take action in my own life.

Reclaiming Joy and a Sense of Happiness

I have an old inner ‘story’, one that many of you likely relate to. That story? That joy and happiness had to be earned. That I couldn’t feel good until my business was thriving, until I had financial freedom, until I had everything figured out or until all the pieces fit together. What I’ve started to ask myself is:

What if joy wasn’t the reward for success, but the fuel for it?

I make space for joy in small ways. I might take my work to a cozy café instead of sitting at my desk. I might go for a walk in nature, letting the fresh air clear my mind. I might listen to music that lifts me up. I find tiny ways to bring adventure into my life, even if it’s just a new restaurant, a short road trip, or watching YouTube videos about places I want to visit.

The more I allow myself to feel alive now, the more energy I have to create the life I want. My inner critics resist this, but what I find is that when I go ahead and do these things and allow joy, my critics are silenced.

Surrounding Myself with the Right People

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, my first instinct is to retreat, to isolate myself until I can “figure things out.” Over my 52 years, I’ve learned that isolation only makes it worse. When I’m stuck in my own head, the doubts grow louder, the fear becomes heavier, and I convince myself that I have to do this alone.

I don’t and newsflash, neither do you!

With that, I reach out to others. I find conversations that lift me up. I connect with people who remind me of my own power and gifts or who simply inspire me by their own choices and actions. Sometimes, all it takes is a single conversation to reignite my drive.

Remembering My “Why”

Whenever I start questioning whether all this effort is worth it, I remind myself why I started in the first place. I ask myself:

• What was the vision that pulled me here?
• Who am I here to help?
• What kind of life do I want to create for myself and my family?

I remind myself that this isn’t just about money or success. It’s about impact, freedom, and creating something that matters. It’s about building a life that is mine, on my terms.

Reclaiming My Own Future

Right now, it’s easy to feel powerless. The world is uncertain, and I don’t know what will happen next. But instead of fearing the future, I ask myself: What if I focused on creating my own future instead?

What if this moment—this exact one right now—was the turning point? What if, instead of waiting for the world to change, I decided to create the life I want anyway?
I don’t need to have it all figured out today. I don’t need to be fearless. I just need to take one step. Because one step leads to another. And little by little, that’s how I build momentum.

One Step at a Time

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or lost, I want you to know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there more often that you might know. I’m still there some days. I also know that the way out isn’t found in waiting for the world to change. It’s found in the ways of moving forward anyway. We don’t have to do everything today. We just need to do something.

So today, I’m asking you to consider the following: What’s one small action you can take to move out of freeze? I’d love to hear what you come up with and how things shift for you as a result.

Want support moving out of freeze or to help you shift your work life or leadership for the better? I can be that support for you. Let’s start the conversation on a quick call and get you on your way!