Break It Down, Find Your Way

We are coaches, creatives, and humans who absolutely know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed.

Sometimes, we feel it the moment our eyes open.
Sometimes, it hits in the supermarket (we’re looking at you, sensory overload and decision fatigue).
Sometimes… it’s just life.

And if you're reading this because you're in that space right now, we want to tell you:

You’re not alone.
It’s normal.
And there is a way through it.

Why We Talk About Overwhelm at BHVA

At BHVA, overwhelm is something we encounter every single day - not just in ourselves, but in the amazing young people and adults we coach. Whether we’re mentoring someone in the arts, supporting a student in alternative provision, or helping a client get their confidence back, overwhelm pops up.

Regularly.

The pressure to “just get on with it” or “power through” is everywhere.

But guess what? That’s often the exact mindset that makes overwhelm worse.

So instead, we take a different route.

How We Deal With Overwhelm (And How You Can Too)

Here’s what we’ve learned from years of creative coaching, real-life experience, and yes, even standing frozen in front of a mountain of laundry

1 - Step Away From the Thing That’s Overwhelming You

Yep. Step away.
Not toward. Not into. Not deeper.

Away.

It sounds counterintuitive, but the first thing we do when someone’s overwhelmed isn’t to fix the problem. It’s to disconnect from it. Check in. Talk about their day. Get a drink. Breathe.

Why?

Because sometimes, the thing that feels overwhelming isn’t even the real issue. It’s just the last straw. And once someone’s had space to chat, laugh, or even just exist without pressure—the real cause often shows itself.

2 - Break It Down with Gentle Questions

Once we’ve created a bit of space, then we gently begin to explore. Not with a barrage of “What’s wrong?” but more like…

“What’s feeling too much?”
“Can you list it?”
“Which bit is actually the heavy bit?”

People often come in saying, “It’s everything!” But when we list it out - on paper, in colours, with doodles, whatever works - it turns out that “everything” usually boils down to one or two very solvable things.

Real-Life Moment:
We once worked with a student who said their brain was too full. So, we got out a giant piece of paper, colour-coded every idea, and turned their chaos into calm. They didn’t even tackle the problem that day - but the next week, they walked in ready to take action.

Sometimes, your brain just needs time to percolate (coffee lovers, we see you ).

3 - Let People Find Their Own Puzzle Pieces

Here’s a biggie: if you’re supporting someone else through overwhelm, you don’t have to fix it for them.

We’re not there to solve the puzzle. We’re there to give them space, tools, and time so they can. That could mean:

• Talking it through

• Playing with ideas from a different angle

• Leaving it alone entirely for now

• Coming back to it later if it’s still relevant

Sometimes the thing causing overwhelm just disappears on its own. And that’s okay too.

Brain Paths & Dead Ends: Why You Keep Getting Stuck

Ever notice how you keep getting overwhelmed by the same things?

It’s not just you.

Our brains work like well-worn forest trails. The more we go down a certain path—even if it always ends in overwhelm—the more that path becomes “the way.”

So part of managing overwhelm is breaking that habit.

Trying a new route.

Looking at the same problem from a different side.

Or walking away altogether to make space for a better solution to appear.

BHVA’s Quickfire Tips for Beating Overwhelm

Step away from the stressor (even for a moment)

Make a drink, take a walk, or just breathe

List what’s on your mind—get it all out

Don’t rush to fix—sometimes the best thing you can do is let it sit

Ask for help (this isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom)

Break big things into mini-rungs on a ladder

Know that you’re allowed to feel like this

And above all—remember it’s normal. You are not broken.

One Last Thought

Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.
It doesn’t mean you’re lazy.
It doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

It means you’ve got a lot going on - and you care.

So next time your brain hits pause, remember this: overwhelm is just a sign it’s time to go gently.
Let things percolate.
Let your story breathe.

Because your journey is allowed to be messy, slow, and human.

And we’re walking it with you.