Are you wearing Superwoman's Invisible Cape? - Recognizing Hidden Overwhelm

My time living in a tent healing from mold illness taught me valuable lessons about resilience and hidden struggles. It also made me wonder: how often do we navigate life's complexities while making it look effortless to others?
I bet you've had moments like that too; when you feel like you're drowning while everyone else thinks you're walking on water.
That's what I call invisible overwhelm, and it's a common theme I hear from many of my clients.
Last week, I talked with a client (let's call her Sarah). On paper, Sarah's life looked picture-perfect: successful career, loving family, active in her community. But as we sat down for our session, the facade collapsed.
"I'm drowning," Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible. "No one can see it, but I'm suffocating under the weight of it all. Everyone keeps telling me how amazing I am for managing everything, but if I let go for even a second, it all crumbles."
Sound familiar? It's that state where we're juggling a million plates, looking cool on the outside, but feeling like a pressure cooker about to explode on the inside. And the kicker? We get so good at it that sometimes even we don't realize how heavy that invisible cape has become.
Here's the thing - recognizing this hidden overwhelm is crucial. It reminds me of my experience with mold in our house - at first, it was invisible, but its impact was very real. Similarly, if we don't acknowledge and address our invisible overwhelm, it can lead to burnout. And recovering from burnout? That's a challenging journey I'd rather help you avoid.
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So, what do we do about it? Well, here are three strategies Sarah and I worked on together:
1. The Overwhelm Inventory:
I asked Sarah to keep a simple “log”, to start to shine a light on those moments when she felt like she was juggling too much. I invite you to do the same. Jot down the times when you feel stretched thin - it might surprise you.For example, Sarah's first entry read: "Tuesday, 4pm: Tried to answer an urgent work email while helping kids with homework. Made mistakes on both, then felt rushed prepping dinner because I had to correct things.”By tracking these moments, you'll start to see patterns. Maybe it's always around 3 PM, or perhaps it's when you're trying to multitask. Give it a try this week - just a quick note when you feel overwhelmed.
Here’s a personal “Overwhelm Inventory Log“ to keep track. You might be amazed at what you discover about your daily rhythms and triggers.
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2. Flower Power Breaks:
Sarah committed to taking 2-minute breather breaks between tasks, using her custom Bach flower remedy for instant calm. You can do this too! That Bach flower blend we created for you - why not keep it on your desk or in your bag? When the pressure starts to build, take a pause. A few drops of your remedy (especially if it includes Elm, which is fantastic for that overwhelmed feeling), a deep breath, and you might just find your center again. It's amazing how these tiny moments can shift your entire day.
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3. Voice the Invisible:
You know that feeling when the weight of everything is on your shoulders, but you're afraid to say anything? Sarah felt that too. During our session, we practiced how to speak up. It was tough at first, but when she finally said, "Guys, I'm drowning here. Can we divvy up some of these household tasks?" at her family meeting, it was like a weight lifted. They created a chore chart together, and Sarah felt heard for the first time in ages.
What's one thing you've been silently carrying that you could share with someone this week?
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Remember how those Bach flower remedies got me through my tent days? They taught me that small, consistent actions can be powerful. These strategies work the same way - simple steps that can bring more calm to your day.
So, here's my challenge to you this week: try on one of these strategies. See how it feels. And remember, even superheroes need to take off their capes sometimes.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Does Sarah's story resonate with you? How do you navigate your own invisible overwhelm?
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Here's to making the invisible, visible - and manageable,
Warmly,
​Elissa