Overwhelmed? What if it’s not the real problem?

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you couldn’t even tell which way was up? Let me paint a picture for you.

A while back, I was preparing for a Genius Session—a space where I was supposed to show up and share what I love, what I’m good at… my genius. Sounds exciting, right?

But instead of feeling ready, I was utterly paralyzed. My thoughts raced:

"What if I don’t actually have any genius? 

What if I don’t belong here? What if they see right through me?"

I couldn’t focus. My body was tense, my chest heavy, and the overwhelm felt like a tidal wave crashing over me. So, there I was, sitting in my bathroom, crying into the steam from my bathwater, utterly stuck.

And then, through my tears and frustration, I muttered out loud to myself:

“What is this problem designed to solve?”

“What is this overwhelm telling me?”

At first, my mind snapped back: “It’s telling you to quit while you’re ahead!”

But something deeper nudged me to ask again, this time with a touch of curiosity and a lot of desperation. And slowly, something shifted.

The truth about overwhelm 

What I discovered was this: the problem wasn’t the Genius Session itself, or even my fear of failure. The real issue was that I didn’t know how to show my genius—or even recognize it.

The overwhelm wasn’t there to crush me. It was there to guide me. It was saying: Slow down, Rita. Reconnect with why you’re here in the first place.

And when I stopped fighting it, I realized something important:
I didn’t need to force my genius to show up. It wasn’t about perfect preparation or dazzling anyone. My genius was in the stories I’d lived, the lessons I’d learned, and the way I connect with others.

When I reconnected with my vision—of being on bigger stages, of sharing the stories and insights I know can help others—the fog began to lift. I didn’t need to prove anything. I just needed to show up, as myself.

Your invitation 

Let’s flip overwhelm on its head, shall we?
Instead of treating it like a problem to fix, what if you got curious?

Here’s your practice for the week:

1. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and ask yourself:
• What is this problem designed to solve?
• What is this overwhelm telling me?
• How does this connect to my vision?

1. Listen—not for immediate answers, but for what your overwhelm might be signaling.

1. Explore: Where have you lost clarity? What might need your attention, not as a task, but as a deeper connection to yourself or your purpose?

Why it matters 

Overwhelm is rarely about doing more. 

Often, it’s an invitation to pause, realign, and let go of what’s draining you.

When I finally stepped into my Genius Session, I didn’t have a perfectly polished plan. But I was connected to my vision, and that made all the difference.

The overwhelm had done its job—it guided me back to the heart of what mattered: being present, being real, and trusting my story.

So, what might your overwhelm be asking you to notice?

What could it unlock if you gave it a moment of your compassionate, creative curiosity?

I’d love to hear what comes up for you.

Love,
Rita

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