Before we dive into the heart of this week’s episode, I want to touch quickly on last week’s Heart-Centred Business Podcast. I know it was a departure from my usual vibe—let’s just say, it was a bit less nurturing, less gentle, and probably a lot more direct than you’re used to from me. I apologised for the tone back then, but not the message, and I still stand by that! Was I premenstrual? Maybe. Did I just finish a late-night netball session with a hyped-up pack of 12-year-olds? Absolutely. My voice was on the way out. I was, I admit, a little bit in a mood.
The thing is, sometimes when Aunty Tash lets loose, it’s for good reason—the rant and the message are always sent with love, even if they don’t sound all that loving in the moment. So, if life has you feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, or you’re running wild on the hamster wheel, I hope that last week’s episode at least sparked a little fire. We’re all just trying to navigate this wild “fire Horse year” and maybe you needed a push to do something about it.
This week, it’s all about being overwhelmed—if you’re still feeling like you’re drowning in all the things (maybe it was the world, maybe it was the Lego you stepped on this morning—who knows!), I think today’s episode is exactly what you need.
Today, I’m diving into what to do when you’re overwhelmed and it feels like it’s taking over.
Let’s dive in!
Here for the links referenced in the show notes?
Join Progress Art GYM before doors close 27 April 2026 – tashcorbin.com/gym
Last week’s episode – tashcorbin.com/525
EPISODE 526: Listen using the player below, or click the links to your fave platform to subscribe and listen over there:
Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifListen on YouTube
Why Overwhelm Feels So Debilitating
Let’s be real: I don’t need to explain what overwhelm feels like. You know it! It sneaks into every part of your life. I’ve felt it myself, especially over the last few weeks. So let’s cut to the chase: what do you actually DO when overwhelm is running the show and it feels like your brain is slowly shutting down because, frankly, the sheer volume of everything is just too much?
Step One: Regulate—Your Nervous System Comes First
Here’s the thing about overwhelm: when you’re in it, your amygdala is running the show. That’s the back of your brain—hello, reptilian brain, your “keep me safe at all costs” brain. It’s not your clever, creative, strategic self. If you want to think clearly, you need to regulate your nervous system. Full stop. This isn’t just a nice idea; the science backs it up.
Think sending that email or staring at your Instagram caption will fix it? You’re kidding yourself! Anything you do from a place of overwhelm is not just “not your best work”—it’s not even in the top 50%. So instead of forcing yourself to push through, regulate first. Trust me, I learned this one the hard way.
To give you a visual, it’s like that old Snickers ad with Betty White— “you’re not you when you’re hungry.” Same deal: you’re not you when you’re overwhelmed and in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode. Your brain is just not switched on to make strategic decisions; it thinks keeping your business small and juggling pointless tasks equals safety. It loves distractions. It loves shiny objects. And it wants someone else to take over, because that feels safe.
So your number-one job if you’re feeling overwhelmed? Prioritise regulating your nervous system. For me, my three top things to regulate are: walk, talk, and puppy snuggles. Practitioner-style regulating is EFT tapping, therapy, and havening—that’s literal body movement; sometimes it’s lying on the floor and rocking, sometimes it’s a nervous system massage with a tennis ball. Maybe for you, it’s eating some protein, drinking a glass of water, doing breathwork, or something else.
Here’s what it’s NOT: it’s not staring at your computer screen. It’s not shuffling your calendar. It’s not planning out the week in your task manager.
None of that will fix your overwhelm, because your brain needs regulation first.
If you don’t know what works for you yet, make it your mission this month to experiment. Maybe you usually pull an Oracle card—try a physical activity. If you always go logical, try something spiritual. Diversity of strategies is powerful. Too many of us pigeonhole ourselves into “I’m spiritual” or “I’m only logical.” Your nervous system deserves more than just one trick.
Let’s be real: instead of wasting 30 minutes staring at a blinking cursor, go sit on the grass or write your feelings in your journal. Instead of fussing over a photo you don’t love, remember that you don’t look like “you” when you’re dysregulated anyway! Actually give yourself time and space to regulate. If you’re constantly looking for a “3 minute trick,” maybe that’s just a sign you’re even MORE dysregulated than you think.
Step Two: Reconnect – what’s actually important?
Once you’ve regulated, it’s time to reconnect. That means get clear on the facts—reality, not what you wish was true. Ask yourself: what’s the actual goal here? What’s actually important? What’s the reality you face, not just what you want?
Right now, a lot of our current realities are, well, kind of horrific. But when we’re overwhelmed, we lose sight of what matters. We start operating the same way we did three, six, or 30 years ago and get stuck on autopilot. Take some time to reconnect with where you are, where you want to be, and what’s most important.
A quick story: I once lost 16 hours of productive time chasing a $15 overcharge—16 hours! Would I have done that if someone had told me up-front what it would cost? Probably not. I’m not saying let go of your $15 (it’s still your money!), but ask: is this really what matters most right now?
It’s like that saying: “If someone steals an hour from you, don’t give them the rest of your day.”
That goes for mood as well as time.
Another personal example: Recently, a friend called, spiralling about her ex and co-parenting. I asked, where are your kids now? “Upstairs.” I said, “Well, we can spend two hours talking about your ex, or you can spend two hours having fun with your kids. What’s actually important here?” It was a great reminder for me too: give your energy to your priorities, not to distractions.
And from my own business: In March, I was buried in tech issues. I had five and a half thousand emails in one day—most I’d seen before, but 20% were new, urgent things I needed. On top of that, Facebook wasn’t working, I got banned from my own group (thank goodness for admin accounts!), and all the while, clients waited for responses. For days, I didn’t realise they probably thought I’d just gone quiet on them. I always thought I was five minutes away from fixing it—but I wasn’t. If I’d prioritised reconnecting, I would have sent everyone a quick “tech is wild, updates soon!” note. That would have made a world of difference.
Step Three: Refine—Narrow Your Focus
After you’ve regulated and reconnected, it’s time to refine. I love to ask myself: “If I could only do three teeny tiny steps today, what would they be, and in what order?” Once I’m clear on those three things, the rest HAS to go—even mentally. Out of sight, out of mind.
I put my phone and computer on Do Not Disturb, and do just those three things. No distractions. Often, just focusing on micro-steps pulls me out of overwhelm and gives me the capacity to do more. Sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s okay. Plan as if you’ll only have energy for those three things—anything else is a bonus.
Step Four: Reassure—You’re Smart, Kind, and Capable
Last but absolutely not least, reassure yourself. You are smart, kind, and capable, and the people who matter most are, too. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s an opportunity for everyone to collect evidence of these strengths—in ourselves and each other.
If you make a mistake (and you will!), or you let someone down, you’re giving them a chance to forgive, be kind, and show capability, too. But don’t make it all about you. You know what I mean—sometimes when people apologise, it’s so over the top it ends up with you comforting them. Let’s not do that! Stand in your power and take responsibility for your wellbeing, your mindset, your self-confidence.
Give people the chance to help, to forgive, or just to move forward—let’s not turn a blip into a spiral. We are all human, we drop the ball, and we help each other pick it up. Then we move on.
So, to sum up my four-step process:
- Regulate—That’s always first. Mindset before action. Give yourself time and space to look after your nervous system.
- Reconnect with what’s important—What’s the reality, where are you, what matters most?
- Refine—Narrow your list to three tiny steps. Decide, focus, and do them.
- Reassure—You’re smart, kind, and capable. This is just a blip. Everything is fine, and you can move forward.
The more you practise this, the faster you’ll spot the signs of approaching overwhelm, and you’ll be able to address it before panic sets in.
If you’re mostly overwhelmed about money right now, I invite you to join me for the next round of Progress Art GYM. Registration closes on April 27, so jump in and let’s get your money sorted together. Find all the details at tashcorbin.com/gym
Until next time, I cannot WAIT to see you SHINE.
