Thanks to the hectic pace of most of our lives these days, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly running on a treadmill that never stops.
Sometimes, even the smallest tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. If you regularly feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, you’re not alone. Here are 15 signs that might indicate you’re more susceptible to feeling overwhelmed than you realise.
1. You struggle to make decisions, even about small things.
Are you always agonising over what to have for lunch or which shirt to wear? Decision paralysis is a common symptom of feeling overwhelmed. When your mind is already cluttered with thoughts and worries, even minor choices can feel impossibly daunting. This indecisiveness can leave you feeling stuck and frustrated.
2. Your to-do list feels like it’s never-ending.
If you look at your list of tasks and immediately feel your chest tighten, you might be prone to overwhelm. A long to-do list can feel insurmountable, leading to procrastination or a sense of hopelessness. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks can help, but if you consistently feel swamped by your responsibilities, it’s a sign you’re easily overwhelmed.
3. You often feel the need to escape or ‘check out’.
When the world feels too much, do you daydream about running away or spending hours scrolling through social media? This desire to mentally or physically escape is a common response to feeling overwhelmed. While a bit of downtime is healthy, constantly wanting to disengage from your life is a red flag.
4. Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues are frequent visitors.
Our bodies often bear the brunt of our mental state. If you’re regularly experiencing tension headaches, upset stomachs, or other unexplained physical discomfort, it could be your body’s way of telling you you’re overwhelmed. Pay attention to these physical cues — they’re important messages from your body.
5. You struggle to focus on one task at a time.
When you’re overwhelmed, your mind can feel like a pinball machine, bouncing from one thought to another. If you struggle to concentrate on a single task without your mind wandering to other responsibilities or worries, it’s a sign that you’re feeling overloaded. This lack of focus can make even simple tasks feel challenging.
6. You’re easily irritated by small inconveniences.
Does a slow internet connection or a queue at the shop make you disproportionately angry? When you’re already feeling overwhelmed, minor annoyances can feel like the last straw. If you’re always snapping at loved ones or fuming over trivial matters, it might be because you’re operating at your mental and emotional capacity.
7. You often feel like you’re not doing enough, despite being busy.
Do you end most days feeling like you haven’t accomplished anything, even though you’ve been on the go from dawn to dusk? This disconnect between your effort and your perceived productivity is a classic sign of overwhelm. It can leave you feeling inadequate and anxious, perpetuating the cycle of stress.
8. You have trouble sleeping or wake up feeling unrested.
Source: Unsplash When your mind is in overdrive, it’s hard to switch off. If you regularly lie awake at night, replaying the day’s events or worrying about tomorrow, overwhelm might be the culprit. Even if you do manage to sleep, you might wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed, leaving you ill-equipped to face another day.
9. You often feel the urge to cry or scream for no apparent reason.
Source: Unsplash Emotional outbursts can be a sign that you’re at your limit. If you’re always tearing up at minor setbacks or wanting to scream into a pillow more often than not, it’s a clear indication that you’re overwhelmed. These intense emotional responses are your mind’s way of releasing pent-up stress and anxiety.
10. You struggle to enjoy activities you used to love.
Source: Unsplash When overwhelm takes over, it can sap the joy out of your favourite pastimes. If you find that hobbies or activities that once brought you pleasure now feel like chores, it might be because you’re too stressed to fully engage with them. This loss of enjoyment can further contribute to feelings of helplessness and frustration.
11. You often feel like you’re failing at everything.
Source: Unsplash Overwhelm can distort your perception of your own capabilities. If you frequently feel like you’re dropping all the balls you’re juggling, despite evidence to the contrary, it’s a sign that you’re struggling to cope with the demands in your life. This sense of failure can be demoralising and make it even harder to tackle your responsibilities.
12. You’re constantly apologising, even for things beyond your control.
Source: Unsplash When you’re overwhelmed, you might feel like you’re letting everyone down. This can manifest as excessive apologising, even for things that aren’t your fault or responsibility. If you catch yourself saying sorry for the weather or for someone else’s mistake, it’s a sign that you’re carrying too much on your shoulders.
13. You have a hard time saying ‘no’ to new commitments.
Source: Unsplash Ironically, people who get easily overwhelmed often have trouble setting boundaries. If you’re always agreeing to take on new tasks or responsibilities even when you’re already stretched thin, it’s likely because you’re afraid of disappointing people.
14. You frequently feel disconnected from your surroundings or yourself.
Source: Unsplash Feeling overwhelmed can sometimes lead to a sense of detachment. If you often feel like you’re watching your life from the outside or have trouble connecting with your own thoughts and feelings, it could be your mind’s way of coping with too much stress. This disconnection can be unsettling and make it hard to engage fully with your life.
15. You always want validation or reassurance from other people.
Source: Unsplash When you’re overwhelmed, your confidence can take a hit. If you notice that you’re constantly seeking approval or reassurance from friends, family, or colleagues, it might be because you’re feeling unsure of your own judgement. This need for external validation can be exhausting for both you and the people around you.
