Overcoming the Overwhelm: Strategies for Tackling Big Projects and Busy Days: E16

In this episode of the Go Slow to Go Fast Lifestyle Podcast, Kendra Chapman discusses the challenges of overwhelm in daily life and offers practical strategies for managing it. She emphasizes the importance of intentional living, time blocking, decluttering, and simplifying systems to create mental clarity and calm. Kendra also reflects on her personal experiences with the 'Sunday scaries' and how planning can help mitigate feelings of anxiety about the week ahead. The episode encourages listeners to take small steps towards a more peaceful and organized life. Show Notes  Welcome to the Go Slow to Go Fast Lifestyle Podcast, where we explore the art of intentional living. Whether you're juggling life as a working parent, leading in your profession, or simply seeking more meaning in your everyday, this space is for you. I'm your host, Kendra Chapman, and today we're diving into something so many of us wrestle with: overwhelm. If you've ever looked at your to-do list and felt paralyzed by the sheer weight of it—trust me, you're not alone. I'm right there with you. Today's episode is all about tackling big projects and busy days with clarity and calm. We're going to explore practical tools—like time blocking, decluttering, and simplifying—to help you stay productive without losing your peace. We'll also talk about how these strategies connect with the Hygge lifestyle and the Go Slow to Go Fast philosophy. So grab a cozy drink, curl up in your favorite chair, or let this episode ride shotgun while you're driving to work. Let's dig in. Segment 1: What's Bringing Me Hygge This Week? —————The Hygge Wrap: Cozy Clarity + Weekly Reset This week, Hygge found me in the quiet corners of structure. Sounds strange, right? But hear me out. I finally got around to doing a Sunday brain dump—a weekly practice I used to swear by—and immediately felt a wave of calm. There's something about seeing all the mental clutter on paper, no longer swirling in your head, that creates a sense of order and peace. I lit a candle, sat in my robe, and just listed it all out. Projects. Errands. Emails. Even reminders like "bring snacks to work" made it on there. Hygge isn't just cozy blankets and tea. It's the emotional relief of making space—physically, mentally, and emotionally—for what matters. That brain dump? It was the gateway to calm. That's my Hygge this week.    AND our Barred Owl Family is back … 💭 Hygge Intention for the Week Ahead: Create warmth through rhythm. Structure doesn't have to be stiff—it can be soft. Let routine feel like a cozy rhythm that holds you, not something that squeezes you. I'm leaning into slower transitions, gentle check-ins, and permission to pause. Segment 2: Hygge Highlight – Tackling the Overwhelm 1. Time Blocking: Give Every Task a Home Time blocking isn't just trendy productivity advice—it's backed by cognitive science. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review (2018), when we batch similar tasks and assign them specific time slots, our brains are more likely to enter a state of flow—meaning deeper focus and less switching costs. Here's how I do it: I create themed blocks like Creative Work, Meetings, Admin Tasks, and Family Time. Then I schedule those like appointments—because if it's not on my calendar, it doesn't exist. This one change alone helps you go from reactive to proactive. It gives your time structure without rigidity. 🧠 Research Reference: Baumeister, R. & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. 2. Decluttering: Physical Space = Mental Space 🧠 Research Reference: McMains, S. A., & Kastner, S. (2011). Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex. 3. Simplify Systems: Complexity Is the Enemy of Progress Segment 3: Let's Connect 👉 What's one thing that's bringing you Hygge this week? 👉 What's one way you're going to simplify your next busy day? Let's keep the conversation going: 📧 Email me at: [email protected] 🌐 Check out my website: coachingwithkendrachapman.com 📸 DM me on Instagram: @coachingwithkendrachapman 📣 Tag me in your refresh journey—I love seeing how you're embracing slow living!