Overcoming Stress When Overwhelm Hits You
How to get through a tricky week.
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Surviving a Week of Chaos
Ever had a week that felt like an avalanche of stress—everything going wrong at once? Or maybe not things going wrong just a long list of low burn stressful activities that stretch out between now and 5pm Friday?
This week personal life, work, and even the universe seemed to conspire against me. Last weekend, looking ahead I was really struggling to plot a way through the week ahead in my mind.
In essence, I froze.
The tension had been rising in the run up to last weekend. Our house sale was collapsing, changes looming at work were griding me down, and I had three major presentations stacked on my calendar. It was overwhelming to the point where my mind was saying no more - I was barely able to move from the sofa. Everything seemed dark, and the days ahead felt utterly daunting.
But here’s how I got through it, one day at a time.
The Stacking of Stress
At the start of the week, the pressures were clear:
Public Speaking: Three big presentations loomed ahead. Normally, presenting isn’t a huge deal for me, but something about having them all bunched up made the weight feel heavier. It wasn’t one presentation to tackle; it was three, each demanding focus and energy.
Job: It’s a tricky time for everyone working in the UK Rail Industry. Money is tight, the budget is looming. No organisation or team will be left untouched by the changes. We know it’s the right thing to do but it’s also a tumultuous time as we head into the unknown.
Home: Our house sale fell through, just when we thought everything was in place for the move. It was a gut punch at a time when stability felt critical. And to cap it all off, our next door neighbour wants to start some building work. Not now people! Why now?!
How I Got Through It
There wasn’t a perfect plan for getting through the week, but taking things day by day kept me going.
Monday: The first presentation on rail industry revenue—a topic I know well—went smoothly. The feedback was great, but with two more presentations ahead, it was hard to relax though.
Tuesday: Back in the office. I always enjoy connecting with the team, and while it was good to be around colleagues, there was still a cloud hanging over my head. The rail industry is going through seismic changes, and as a senior leader, I often find myself trying to project stability, even when there’s so much uncertainty. You can see it starting to wear on everyone.
Wednesday: A 10-minute slot on pricing and revenue management—short, but significant. I knew the material inside and out, and it went well. The nerves didn’t hit as hard, and by the end of the day, I felt a bit lighter. Slowly, the storm clouds were beginning to lift.
Thursday: The final presentation was to finance teams across the industry. It should have been routine, but with the week’s build-up, I was still carrying some tension. Once it was over and the feedback was positive, I felt the weight finally ease off my shoulders.
By the end of Thursday, the fog cleared, and I could breathe again. I had made it through, and with each passing day, the challenges seemed less overwhelming.
And, although our house is back on the market, we already have some interest and making a positive step forward has given us the hope that we can still move in the coming months.
And breathe…
The Strength We Take from These Weeks
This week taught me something valuable: survival in weeks like these isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about giving yourself permission to take it one step at a time, even when the path ahead feels blurry. I learned that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed—as long as you keep moving.
Talking about it also made a big difference. I reached out to a few people and shared that I was struggling, and their perspectives helped pull me out of my own head. When you're too close to a problem, it’s easy to lose perspective. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to see things differently.
Now, I know that when stress stacks up again—and it will—I’ll be ready to break it down and tackle it day by day. This week gave me the confidence to face whatever comes next.
How Do You Handle It?
What about you? When life throws everything at you at once, how do you stay afloat? Let’s share strategies—I’m always looking to learn from others who’ve been through the storm and come out stronger.
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Martin
One thing I learned, from the amazing and inspirational conductor Ben Zander, was to allow myself a certain number of mistakes in a performance (knowing that later they will feel wholly unimportant). Instead of panicking or beating myself up, I just count them ("Heh; there's one - never mind!"). Works for many aspects of life; frees one from the curse of perfectionism, which is catastrophic when several stressors hit you at once.
Fingers crossed for your house sale!
Thank you for sharing this behind-the-scenes look at your week. Sorry it was so stressful but glad you got through it! I don't know if there's any one strategy that helps me when life throws everything at me. I'd say focusing on the immediate task at hand helps best. Sort of like what you did. As soon as I think about everything in totality, it gets overwhelming.