Being in a leadership role while managing peak demands in your personal life is tough. For me at times, it can feel like extreme overwhelm – the kind that makes me want to run. My flight response kicks in, and every part of me screams for an escape. But the only running I actually do is the kind tracked on my watch, with my dog alongside me.
Leadership between the ages of 30 and 60 is demanding, yet we don’t talk about it enough. This stage makes up most of our working lives, and maybe we assume we should have it figured out by now. Even when things aren’t right, we push through. Who would listen anyway? Friends are navigating their own challenges – some raising young kids, others supporting adult children. Some are caring for aging parents, managing illnesses, or dealing with fractured relationships that feel more like geopolitical conflicts. Some have lost their sense of purpose, struggling to connect with what once brought them joy and drive. And yet, when asked how we’re doing, the answer remains: “Good, just busy.”
When Carrying On Becomes Too Much 😩
But sometimes, carrying on is hard. It’s hard to keep showing up with a smile. Hard to be empathetic when you’re emotionally drained. When there’s nothing left to give, it feels like autopilot – empty, numb. And when we stop long enough to acknowledge it, it hurts. To avoid the hurt, many of us double down on busyness. We distract ourselves with work, with doing more, hoping the problems will fade. Just go away.
The truth is, they don’t. No amount of busy makes the overwhelm disappear. If anything, it compounds – more deadlines, more pressure, more numbness.
Finding a Way Forward ⚡️
When I recognise I’m overwhelmed, and when I’m ready to stop using busyness as a shield, I slow down. I walk. I think. I connect. I stay rather than run. I remind myself to lead with intention, to be deliberate in what I take on so I don’t keep returning to this place. I know I will at times, but if I can shorten my stay, even slightly, I am better for it. I also remind myself that overwhelm is not who I am. It’s a passing state, not something to wear. I observe it, acknowledge it, and let it move through.
Leaders wear capes, but sometimes, that cape isn’t for saving the day – it’s for wrapping around ourselves, offering protection, comfort, and strength. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that people around you care and will sit with you through it.
So, if you’re in the thick of something right now, I see you. We all do. And maybe, if we offer each other just a little more grace and space, we can make it easier for all of us.
Ways to work with me:
💬 One-on-one coaching
🎯 Leadership development and training
🎤 Book me as a Speaker or MC for your next event
