How To Start When Everything Feels Too Much

Send us Fan Mail Overwhelm can look so ordinary that you miss it until you’re stuck on the sofa, watching Netflix, feeling guilty, and still not doing the thing you actually care about. I’m back on the mic after a break to talk about that exact spiral: podcast avoidance, life overload, and the way perfectionism quietly convinces us that “not starting” is safer than “not perfect”. I share what finally got me to press record, plus the habit tools I keep coming back to from Atomic Habits: reduce friction, make the first step ridiculously small, and stop bundling one task into a whole impossible project. We talk about why motivation is unreliable, how a simple set-up can remove mental barriers, and how AI tools can take away the fiddly parts that turn a creative habit into a chore. There’s also a very real-life look at decision fatigue from working as a doctor, and why simplifying choices (same breakfast, fewer decisions, less mental load) can free up energy for the habits you want. We also use Couch To 5K as a practical model for sustainable change: don’t skip steps, don’t sprint on day one, and aim for consistency over intensity. Finally, we get into habit stacking for morning and bedtime routines, so actions become automatic rather than another daily debate in your head. If you’ve been feeling stuck, anxious, scattered, or quietly burned out, you’ll leave with a calmer plan and a few concrete next moves. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a gentle push, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one tiny step you can do today to reduce your overwhelm? Support the show Please consider helping me out, I'd seriously super appreciate it! <3 https://www.patreon.com/diariesofadoctor