Feeling Overwhelmed? These Self-Care Tools Actually Help

So You’re Feeling Overwhelmed and Like It’s All on Top of You?

When the weight of everything lands at once, it can feel like your brain is running 15 tabs too many- none of which are loading properly. And in the middle of all that? You’re expected to keep going. Keep showing up. Keep it together.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to fix everything right now.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause and give your mind a moment to catch up. That’s where journaling comes in.

Why Journaling Helps When You're Overwhelmed

Journaling isn't just for quiet Sunday mornings or aesthetic Pinterest setups (although we love those too). When you’re spiralling or stuck in stress-mode, it becomes a practical, powerful tool to:

• Untangle your thoughts

• Name what you’re feeling

• Sort through what matters right now

• Reduce the weight of the mental load

• Remind yourself of what’s still within your control

No pressure, no perfect format. Just a page, a pen, and a willingness to be honest with yourself.

8 Guided Journal Prompts to Help You Process Overwhelm

We’ve pulled together 8 thoughtful prompts from the Blissful Type community to help you begin. Use them one at a time or in one big free-write session- whatever your energy allows today.

1. What exactly feels overwhelming right now?

Get specific- naming it can make it feel more manageable.
When overwhelm is vague, it’s scarier. Break it down. Is it a task? A feeling? A deadline? A conversation you’ve been avoiding?

2. What’s in my control, and what isn’t?

Separate the two gently. You don’t need to carry it all.
List what you can influence today- and what’s outside your hands. Let go of what’s not yours to manage.

3. What would I tell a friend feeling this way?

📝 Write it as if you're comforting someone else.
You might be surprised at how kind, wise, and grounded your advice sounds- especially when it’s directed at someone you love.

4. What’s one small step I can take today to feel a little lighter?

Big wins are great, but micro-moves count too.
Maybe it’s unloading the dishwasher, texting a friend, or lighting a candle. Lightness builds when we show up, gently.

5. Am I holding myself to unrealistic expectations right now? Where can I soften them?

Self-kindness isn’t slacking- it’s sustainability.
Are you demanding superhuman energy from a very human body and mind? Give yourself permission to soften, even just a little.

6. What’s one thing I can temporarily let go of without everything falling apart?

Spoiler: it might not be as urgent as you think.
This could be a task, a standard, or a commitment that’s draining you more than it’s serving you right now.

7. When have I felt this way before- and how did I move through it then?

Your past resilience is proof.
Reflecting on how you got through hard times can remind you of your strength and give you clues for moving forward.

8. What do I need more of right now: rest, support, structure, or release?

Don’t just power through. Tune in.
Choose the word that resonates most- then explore what it would look like to honour that need this week.

9. Still unsure? Take the quiz.

If you're staring at this list thinking, "Honestly, I don’t even know where to start," take our Free Quiz. It’ll help you uncover what kind of support you really need- and recommend tools to match. Rest? Structure? Clarity? You’ll walk away with personalised guidance (and maybe a few surprise goodies too).

10. So… what now?

You don’t need to journal through all 10 prompts in one go. In fact, you don’t even need to finish one. The point isn’t to perform your healing- it’s to make space for it.

Even just scribbling one messy sentence down in your notebook can interrupt the cycle of go-go-go and help you land back in your body.

Let’s Make Self-Care Less Overwhelming

If your current routines feel like another thing to tick off, try this instead:
Swap productivity for presence. Swap pressure for curiosity. Swap burnout for support.

Need a little help with that? Our Wellness Box includes our best-selling Self-Care Guided Journal and Intentional Cards- designed to help you slow down, reflect, and reset (without the guilt).

And if you're still figuring out what self-care means for you right now- our quiz is the perfect place to begin.

Ready to Feel a Little More Like You Again?

Download a free journaling template
Take the self-care quiz
Explore the Blissful Type wellness tools

Your mind deserves the same care you give everyone else.
Start here. You’ve got this.