Supporting People Through Overwhelm

Overwhelm is something everyone experiences at some point. Whether it’s too many decisions, big emotions, or just feeling stuck, our role as coaches isn’t to fix or minimise it—but to create space for clarity to emerge.

1. Slow Everything Down

When someone is overwhelmed, their thoughts are often racing. Rather than pushing for solutions, help them pause. Simple questions like “What feels most present for you right now?” or “Let’s take a breath—what’s one thing you’re noticing?” can shift their state.

2. Acknowledge Without Fixing

Overwhelm can feel isolating. A validating statement like “It makes sense that you’re feeling this way” or “There’s a lot here, let’s take it one step at a time” helps them feel heard without pressure to move too quickly.

3. Externalise the Overwhelm

Encouraging someone to name what’s happening can create distance from the feeling. Try asking:

• If this feeling had a voice, what would it say?

• Where do you feel this in your body?

• If it were an object, what would it look like?

This can shift them from being consumed by the feeling to observing it.

4. Look for Micro-Movements

Big decisions or changes might feel impossible in the moment. Instead of asking “What’s next?”, try:

• What’s one small thing you could do today to ease this?

• If you had 5% more clarity, what would you see?

Even tiny shifts can create momentum.

Final Thought

Overwhelm isn’t something to be solved—it’s a signal. As coaches, our job is to help people listen to it, break it down, and move forward in a way that feels manageable.

If you want to explore this from a personal perspective, have a look at our Sustaining your Energy programme here: https://www.go-differently.com/sustain-your-energy