When Life Feels Like Too Much | Small Steps Back to Balance and Joy
Seventeen years ago, I became a mum, the most beautiful, life-changing role I could ever imagine. The journey has been full of love, laughter and lessons but like many parents, I’ve found it to be a roller coaster too.
Now that my children are older, I feel a pull to reclaim parts of myself, to step more fully into my purpose as a Transformational Breath® facilitator and to share what I believe in so deeply: that the breath can reconnect us to ourselves and empower us to live more fully.
And yet, I often find it hard to marry both worlds. I want to give my all to my family, to my clients and to myself and sometimes that means I feel like I’m giving to none. Me, the individual, often gets left behind.
The Weight of Expectation
This season has brought me face-to-face with my own perfectionism. I strive for balance, I strive for clean living, I strive for joy, yet I don’t always feel like I have any of it. The imposter voice creeps in: “How can you guide others if you don’t have it all together yourself?”
And then, there’s reality. My clients share how safe they feel in my presence, how the breath helps them unlock so much more in their lives. My children tell me they understand this phase and that I deserve to do what I love. In their words, I hear reassurance: It is okay. I am the one being hardest on myself.
The Vicious Circle We Know Too Well
I also see this in people around me: the cycle of work, health, time and money with joy often pushed right to the bottom of the list.
They long for rest but can’t stop working. They need more time for their health but work takes it away. They want to feel well but don’t have the resources to invest in themselves. It’s a loop that feels impossible to break.
And yet, what I’ve learned, in myself and with others, is that we can’t wait for the “perfect” time to step out of the cycle. We have to reclaim control in small, intentional ways.
The Autumn Invitation
Autumn has a way of holding up the mirror. The falling leaves remind me that letting go is part of growth. It’s not about striving for perfection; it’s about releasing what no longer serves and planting seeds for what we truly want.
This is a season to:
Reflect on what is truly important.
Let go of the expectations we put on ourselves.
Plant seeds for practices that nourish and sustain us.
A Clarity Practice for You
When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is to bring focus to just one small area.
Pause and Breathe:
take 3 minutes to sit, breathe in through the nose and sigh out through the mouth. Imagine each exhale clearing mental clutter.
Choose One Area:
ask yourself “What part of my daily life feels scattered right now?”
For me, it’s meals. I love to cook but lately I’ve found myself rushing or repeating the same quick options. Planning ahead brings ease to the whole week.
For you, it might be tidying one drawer, planning your week ahead, creating a calmer morning rhythm or simply taking 5 minutes for movement or rest.
Make One Small Shift:
even the tiniest step, one planned meal, one cleared corner, one short walk, tells your body: “I deserve this.”
Notice the Ripple:
small steps may seem simple but they create space, clarity and a quiet sense of control that touches every part of life.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. What matters is the intention and the space it creates for clarity.
Don’t Forget Joy
When life feels like an endless cycle of work and responsibility, joy often slips to the bottom of the list. But joy isn’t a luxury, it’s what gives us the energy to keep going.
It doesn’t have to be big or time-consuming. Sometimes it’s dancing in the kitchen while you cook, playing your favourite song while you tidy or stepping outside to watch the sunset. These small moments remind us that life is not just about surviving. The breath anchors us in the present and joy is what makes it worth living.
Coming Back to You
Finding balance is not about doing it all perfectly. It’s about allowing space for your breath, your body and your joy, even in the midst of responsibilities.
This month, I invite you to notice where you can retake control instead of letting life control you. What small shift can you make, in your meals, your space, your breath, that brings clarity, health and joy back into your day?
As we move deeper into this reflective season, I’d love to support you in exploring your own journey with the breath, whether you’re just beginning or ready to go deeper. Find out more here.
Each offering is a safe, nurturing space to open your breath, release what you no longer need and reconnect with the part of you that’s been waiting for attention.
With Love and Light,
Stefanie.
Founder of The Oya Energy