Drowning in the Daily? Find Your Pause Button. 🪷

There’s a moment many of us know all too well: you’re halfway through your day, juggling work deadlines, responding to texts, keeping the house from imploding, and maybe squeezing in a few minutes of parenting, caregiving, or self-care…if you’re lucky. And the worst part is, this can be a relentless feeling you have day after day, only getting a bit of relief when the weekend finally arrives. And even then… you are faced with a whole new set of undone tasks, overdue projects, and social activities you feel compelled to join. And even though you’re doing all of this, you somehow still feel behind. The tasks multiply, the notifications ding, and your sense of overwhelm surrounding life and responsibilities grows quietly and steadily until you think you are either going to burst or deflate, either one not being an appealing option.

This is the modern experience for a lot of people. Life has become a pace-setting competition that our bodies simply weren’t designed for. And the more we struggle to catch up, the more we can slip into a cycle of disappointment and under-confidence that’s hard to escape.

The Digital Avalanche

A big part of the problem is that technology, once meant to simplify life, now accelerates it. Many of us are more connected than ever, but also more exhausted than ever. According to recent surveys, the average person checks their phone between 80 and 150 times per day. Another study found that employees receive an average of 120 emails a day!

All of this connectivity keeps our brains in a near-constant state of alertness, making it difficult to fully relax, focus, or regulate emotions. Every ding is a potential demand ,coming along with the expectation that we respond in minutes, not hours. Productivity tools, meant to help, sometimes just become more things we feel we need to check and manage. Many times the result of this can be an ongoing feeling of being behind on everything, even when you’re doing more than ever.

The Pace of Comparison Culture

As if the digital rush weren’t enough, we’re also living in a world where it’s almost impossible not to compare ourselves to others. Social media is the highlight reel of human existence, presenting the illusion that everyone else is handling life effortlessly—launching businesses, parenting like Pinterest icons, traveling, hitting the gym, cooking organic meals, and still somehow having polished skincare routines…all day , everyday! This is especially dangerous and impactful on the younger generations that are just beginning to define healthy patterns of daily life and a sense of who they are within healthy boundaries of what they have.

It’s no wonder that many people feel inadequate just trying to get through the day. Many people who are hit by this cycle of too much to do / too little time and energy think it’s just laziness. It’s not! It’s a system that’s pulled us into a pace that isn’t sustainable. Keep reading for the why and what to do :)

Humans Weren’t Built for This Speed

For most of human history, our brains evolved to handle slow, rhythmic, predictable tasks—hunting, gathering, cooking, building, storytelling. But now we’re expected to multitask constantly. Not just two things at once, but ten things at once, all day long, all while the technology is dinging and pinging!

Neuroscience tells us that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%. The brain simply cannot fully focus on several complex tasks at once. So when we try to do too much, our performance drops—and so does our sense of capability.

And then comes the emotional toll: anxiety from constant demands, guilt from unfinished tasks, irritability from being overstimulated, exhaustion from never truly resting. Chronic stress can even weaken the immune system and impair memory and decision-making. We seriously have to watch out because being relentlessly ‘switched on’ isn’t only difficult, it’s also unhealthy.

Maybe a pause button is what humans need?

It’s tempting to think that slowing down is falling behind, but the opposite is true. In fact, slowing down can help us do better work, think more clearly, and feel more grounded. Our nervous systems need moments of quiet. Our minds need pauses to process. Our bodies need downtime to function well. Press pause!

So What Can We Do to Break the Cycle?

Set Digital Boundaries (Tiny but Powerful Ones)

• Turn off nonessential notifications.

• Check messages at set times rather than constantly.

• Keep your phone out of reach when you need focus or rest.

The world can wait ten minutes. Really, it can!

Try to Do One Thing at a Time.

Pick your top priority, finish it, then move to the next. You’ll feel more productive and less scattered.

Build Micro-Moments of Stillness

These can be 30 seconds long:

• A deep breath before a meeting

• Standing outside for a moment

• A quiet sip of water

• Closing your eyes for five slow breaths

Your nervous system will thank you!

Create a “Done List,” Not Just a To-Do List

At the end of the day, write down everything you did accomplish—big or small. This shifts your brain out of the “never enough” mindset.

Remember: You’re Not Meant to Be a Machine

You’re a human being with limits and needs. You are biologically motivated and we need to listen to this and really feel what our bodies are telling us.

Maybe, just maybe???

If you’re tired, maybe it’s because you’ve worked hard? If you feel behind, maybe it’s because the pace is unrealistic? If you’re overwhelmed, maybe it’s because you’ve been doing the job of many, not of one?

Take some time to really think about the pace of your life and your expectations of yourself and from others. Make a self care plan to slowly work towards a healthier pace and a more sustainable lifestyle. Life is meant to be full, but not frantic. As humans we are supposed to feel energy, not burnt out.

Try to find a speed that works well for you, watch out for the digital avalanche, stop comparing yourself to others and realise that you are meant to be living and loving your life, not just trying to stay afloat.

YOU GOT THIS!