Drowning in Work? The Truth About Why You’re Overwhelmed (And How You’re Letting It Happen)
- dionewatson
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Let’s cut to the chase, you say you’re drowning in work, but have you ever stopped to ask why?
Because here’s the hard truth: overwhelm doesn’t just happen. You’re playing a part in it.
I know, I know you’ve got deadlines, demanding bosses, and an inbox that never stops filling up. But let’s be real. If overwhelm was just about workload, everyone in your office would be drowning. Yet, somehow, some people manage to handle it without feeling like they’re gasping for air.
So, what gives?
Well, it’s time to face some uncomfortable truths. You’re not just drowning; you’re the one holding yourself under. And in this post, we’re going to unpack exactly how you’re keeping yourself stuck in this cycle, and what to do about it.
You Don’t Have Boundaries And It’s Costing You
How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed at Work
Let’s start with the obvious: you say ‘yes’ way too much.
Can you take on this extra project? Sure, no problem.
Can you stay late just this once? Of course!
Can you squeeze in a last-minute meeting? Absolutely.
Sound familiar? Here’s the problem: Every time you say ‘yes’ to something you shouldn’t, you say ‘no’ to your own sanity.
And deep down, you know it.
Yet, you keep doing it. Why? Because you:✅ Want to be seen as a team player✅ Hate disappointing people✅ Have convinced yourself that saying no will make you seem lazy or incompetent
But guess what? Saying yes to everything is what’s making you ineffective.
Reality Check: If you don’t set boundaries, people will keep piling work on you, because you’ve taught them that they can.
How to Fix It:
Practice saying “I’d love to help, but I don’t have the bandwidth right now.”
Set clear work hours and stick to them.
Stop replying to emails at 10 PM. (Seriously, what are you proving?)
If you don’t start enforcing your own boundaries, you’ll stay overwhelmed at work no matter how much you try to “push through it.”
You Confuse ‘Being Busy’ with ‘Being Productive’
Let me ask you something: Are you actually working... or just working yourself up?
Because being busy and being productive are two very different things.
Signs You’re Just Busy (Not Productive):
Jumping from one task to another without finishing anything
Multitasking (which, by the way, is killing your efficiency)
Constantly putting out fires instead of planning ahead
Productive looks like:
Prioritising tasks that actually move the needle
Blocking time for deep work without distractions
Knowing when to stop and recharge
Reality Check: If your day is filled with urgent tasks, you’re not in control of your workload, your workload is controlling you.
How to Fix It:
Start your day with a top 3 priority list—and don’t let distractions pull you away.
Use the 80/20 rule: Focus on the 20% of tasks that create 80% of your results.
Stop glorifying ‘being busy’, it’s not a badge of honour, it’s a sign of poor time management.
You Think ‘Doing It All’ Makes You Valuable (It Doesn’t)
If you’ve convinced yourself that your worth is tied to how much you do, let’s set the record straight: Your value isn’t in how much you take on, it’s in how well you execute.
But instead of focusing on impact, you keep adding more to your plate because:
You don’t trust others to handle things (aka control issues)
You think being the go-to person makes you indispensable (spoiler: it doesn’t)
You’re afraid of slowing down because, well… what would that even feel like?
Reality Check: Taking on too much doesn’t make you a high performer, it makes you a burnout waiting to happen.
How to Fix It:
Delegate. Yes, other people are capable, let them prove it.
Get comfortable with discomfort. Saying no might feel weird at first, but your future self will thank you.
Redefine success. Instead of “doing it all,” focus on doing what actually matters.
You’re Waiting for Someone to Save You (No One’s Coming)
I hate to break it to you, but if you’re waiting for your boss to notice you’re struggling and magically reduce your workload, it’s not going to happen.
Your company benefits from you overworking. Your boss has their own deadlines. And your coworkers? Well, they’re probably just relieved you’re the one taking on the extra tasks instead of them.
Reality Check: No one is going to step in and protect your time except you.
So, you’ve got two choices:
Keep complaining about being overwhelmed while doing nothing to change it.
Take responsibility, set boundaries, and reclaim your time.
Which one’s it gonna be?
The Bottom Line: You Have More Control Than You Think
Look, I’m not saying you don’t have a demanding job. I’m not saying you don’t have real pressures.
But I am saying you have more power than you’re admitting.
You don’t have to be drowning in work. You don’t have to be the office workhorse. And you sure as hell don’t have to sacrifice your well-being just to prove your worth.
You just need the right tools to take back control.
Get The Workplace Boundaries Toolkit for just £17 and start setting boundaries TODAY.
Because staying stuck is a choice, and you deserve better.
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