Hi dear Reader

A few years ago, after a breakup, my body screamed STOP!
Allergy. Skin rash. High fever in the middle of summer. Loss of appetite. No energy...

Lying for 3 weeks, barely able to function, I had a moment of clarity:

I can't continue to live like this. It's not healthy to completely fall apart after an emotional experience.

That was a start of an ongoing journey towards emotional resilience.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored:
​Anxiety – doubting your abilities
​Fear – False Expectations Appearing Real

Today, let’s talk about overwhelm.

Overwhelm Was (sometimes is) a Close Friend Of Mine

When I worked in marketing agencies, I was constantly overwhelmed.

I was 10 years younger and completely conditioned to believe my worth came from achievement and performance.
I didn’t know how to say no, didn’t express my needs or set boundaries.

And here’s what I’m not proud of:
I had anger bursts at work. I’d have a glass of wine (or two) during lunch breaks or shots to calm myself. I was passive-aggressive.

Maybe your version looks different: shutting down from the world, crying in the car, snapping at people you love, silent resentment building.
However, you are reacting or battling with emotional overwhelm, I see you.

What I Learned Emotional Overwhelm Is

Most people think overwhelm is about doing too much.
But that’s not the main reason we feel overwhelmed.
Can you remember the project you felt passionate about! You might have worked on it for hours! How did you fee? Exhausted? Inspired? Energised?

Emotional overwhelm floods us when you're doing what doesn’t align with who you are.

Yes, I had too much work. But the real problem? The work clashed with everything I valued.
My core values when it comes to work are freedom, meaningful work, impact, authenticity, respect and support.

And there I was, stuck in a corporate system with zero freedom (no remote work before 2020), doing work that felt meaningless, working with clients whose products, services, and how they treat employees clash with my values.

Read more about how misalignment leads to a burnout, exhaustion and health issues in this blog post.

Here’s what helped me and helps my clients:

1. Get Clear on Your Values

I couldn’t say NO to things, as I wasn't clear what exactly is a YES for me.
I was blindly following what closest environment and society values and considers important.

Until, as a part of self-discovery, I discovered values and got clarity on what truly is important to me.

Authenticity. Freedom. Love. Growth. Connection, Kindness. Meaningful work.... These became my compass.
When you know your values, you can see where the friction is coming from.

Not sure about your values?
Check out my Free Masterclass: Identify your values with a proven 3-step coaching process.

2. Set Boundaries (Even When It’s Terrifying)

When I started looking for my next job, I did something that scared me:
I was vocal about boundaries during interviews. And mine was: “I don’t work overtime. That’s non-negotiable.”
In 2018, I started a position where I didn’t work overtime at all.

People will take as much as you’re willing to give.
If you don’t say where your line is, they’ll assume there isn’t one.

You need boundaries with colleagues, family, friends, partner, anyone who treats your time, investment, kindness and energy as unlimited.

3. Ask for Help

For many of us, this feels hard, sometimes impossible.

I am here to tell you: you were never meant to carry everything alone.

“I can’t take this on right now.”
“I need support with this.”
“I’m at capacity.”

These sentences can save you.

Try This: Three Steps Out of Overwhelm

Step 1: Write down your top 3-5 values. What matters most to you? This is your compass for making decisions, small and the big ones.

From what you'll eat, do over the weekend, with whom you'll spend time, wher3 you'll live...

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​Step 2: Set ONE boundary this week that you see it is needed. Just one.

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​Step 3: Ask for help with ONE thing. Pick something you’re carrying that you don’t have to carry alone.

You don’t fix everything today.
Just move one degree closer to alignment.

Please remember, emotional overwhelm becomes physical:

• Exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix
• Headaches, insomnia, digestive issues
• Getting sick more often or your recovery lasts longer

These are your body’s way of saying: “Something has to change.”

If overwhelm is running your life, I can help.

As a trained coach, I help you with:
--> More clarity by identifying your values

--> More energy by exploring what energizes you and what drains you

--> More peace and fulfilment by choosing people, work, places, hobbies that are aligned with your deepest desires

Let's meet and start feeling energised by replacing overwhelm with clarity, peace and fulfillment.

Love,
Kora

P.S. If you read this and thought, “This is exactly how I feel”, reach out.
You don’t have to keep carrying everything alone.