There have been times when my life felt like one giant to-do list on fire. Whenever I thought I was finally catching up, something else would drop on my lap such as work deadlines, personal commitments, bills I forgot about, even just the pile of laundry staring at me. When everything feels overwhelming, the hardest part is knowing where to even begin.

I don’t claim to have it all figured out, but I’ve learned a few strategies that have pulled me out of those moments and helped me take control again. If you’re feeling stuck under the weight of everything, here’s what has worked for me.

1. 1.  Start With a Brain Dump

When I’m overwhelmed, my mind becomes a noisy place. Everything I haven’t done sits in a loop, repeating like a broken record. The best thing I can do in that moment is get all of it out of my head and onto paper.

I’ll open a notebook and write everything down such as big tasks, small tasks, half-formed ideas, even things like “fix the leaky faucet.” The goal isn’t to organize it yet, just to clear mental space.

The first time I did this, I filled three pages. It looked like chaos, but it felt like a relief. Instead of carrying everything in my head, I had a snapshot of what was weighing on me. That made it less abstract and more manageable.

2. 2.  Use the Two-Minute Rule

One of the quickest ways I cut through the noise is with the two-minute rule: if something takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately.

For example, I once had a bill notification sitting in my inbox for a week. Every day, I’d see it, sigh, and push it aside. When I finally opened it, paying the bill took me 90 seconds. The stress of avoiding it was far worse than the task itself.

Now, whenever I’m staring at my list, I scan for all the little things, for example, sending a quick reply, putting clothes in the washer, booking a dentist appointment. Knocking those out first lightens the load fast and builds momentum for tackling bigger tasks.

3. 3.  Break Things into Smaller Pieces 

The reason most big tasks feel impossible is because we try to swallow them whole. I used to write things like “finish project” on my list, and then I’d avoid it because it sounded enormous.

Now I break things into ridiculously small steps. Instead of “finish project,” I’ll write:

• Open the draft document
• Re-read yesterday’s notes
• Write the introduction

It might sound silly, but having smaller pieces makes the task less intimidating. I don’t need to finish everything at once; I just need to take the next step. Once I get moving, it’s easier to keep going.

4. 4.  Create One “Must-Do” Each Day

I used to create long daily to-do lists, and by the end of the day, half the items were undone. That left me feeling like I failed, even when I actually got a lot done.

Now I pick one “must-do” each day. Just one. That doesn’t mean I only do one thing, but I know that if I get that one priority done, the day counts as a win.

For example, yesterday my must-do was finishing a work proposal. I still answered emails, took calls, and did household chores, but I anchored my day around that one task. By focusing, I made sure the important thing got done instead of letting it drown in busywork.

5. 5.  Build Simple Routines

When life feels chaotic, routines often create stability. I used to think routines were boring, but now I see them as shortcuts for decision-making.

For instance, I set a rule for myself: Sunday evenings are for resetting. I tidy the house, review my calendar for the week, and prep meals. It keeps Monday from feeling like a car crash.

Another example: every morning, before opening my laptop, I take ten minutes to plan my day. It’s small, but it means I start with direction instead of reaction.

Routines don’t need to be elaborate. Even one or two habits can cut down on stress because they remove the mental load of deciding what to do next.

6. 6.  Learn to Say No 

Part of feeling overwhelmed often comes from saying yes to too much. I’ve been guilty of agreeing to extra work, social plans, and favors when I already felt stretched thin.

The turning point came when I realized saying yes to everything was really saying no to my own peace. So, I started practicing saying no without apology.

A friend once invited me to a last-minute trip. Old me would’ve said yes, even though I needed rest. Instead, I said, “Thanks for inviting me, but I can’t this time.” I was nervous they’d be upset, but they weren’t. And I had a weekend to recharge, which I desperately needed.

Protecting your time is a form of organization. It prevents the overload from growing in the first place.

7. 7.  Keep Your Digital Life Tidy

Clutter isn’t just physical—it lives in our phones and laptops too. I used to waste time searching for files or scrolling through messy email inboxes.

Now, once a week, I dedicate 20 minutes to digital cleanup. I unsubscribe from junk emails, clear my desktop, and organize files into folders. It doesn’t make me perfectly organized, but it makes me faster and less frustrated when I need to find something.

If you’ve ever spent 15 minutes hunting for a lost document, you know the difference this makes.

8. 8.  Give Yourself Permission to Rest

This might be the most important part. When life feels overwhelming, the instinct is to keep grinding until you catch up. The problem is you never really catch up. There’s always more to do.

I’ve had days where I pushed myself to exhaustion, only to realize I wasn’t really being productive. Now, I give myself permission to rest, even in small ways. A 15-minute walk outside or an early bedtime does more for my focus than pushing through on fumes.

You can’t organize your life if you’re running on empty. Rest isn’t wasted time; it’s fuel.

Final Thoughts

Feeling overwhelmed is part of being human, but staying stuck there isn’t. The key is to stop trying to fix everything at once. Start by clearing your head, tackling the small wins, and choosing one priority each day. Build routines, protect your time, and remember to rest.

You don’t need to become perfectly organized to feel better. You just need enough structure to quiet the noise and create breathing room. I’ve learned that when I take even small steps in this direction, the chaos shrinks, and I feel capable again.

And that’s the whole point: not perfection, but progress.

Robin