Overwhelmed and Need a Life Reset? Try This.

Mar 11

Keep reading this post to learn:

Why doing less (not more) is the key to feeling aligned and in control of your life
The three-step process to reset your life: Reflect, Declutter, and Edit
Practical examples of how to simplify daily routines, set boundaries, and be more intentional with your time

Ever feel like life is running you instead of you running your life? Like everything is chaotic, and you’re drowning in responsibilities that don’t even align with what you want?

I’ve been there. And in the past, my knee-jerk reaction was to add more to my plate—more wellness habits, more productivity hacks, more routines—thinking that would get me back on track.

But here’s the truth: You don’t improve your life by doing more. You improve it by doing less of what doesn’t matter.

That quote by Cory Allen stopped me in my tracks because… HELLO, DUH.

When your life feels overwhelming, the solution isn’t to pile on more. It’s to strip away what’s not serving you and make space for what actually matters.

If you feel like you need a reset but don’t know where to start, this post will walk you through the three-step process I use whenever I feel out of alignment: Reflect, Declutter, and Edit.

Step 01: Reflect

Before making any changes, take a step back and assess what’s actually not working. Otherwise, you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks.

Here are some questions to guide your reflection:

Am I prioritizing my basic well-being needs? (Movement, sleep, nourishment, enjoyment)
Does how I’m spending my days align with my values, or am I getting distracted by external pressures?
What goals am I focusing on right now?
Where is most of my energy going?
What areas of my life feel out of alignment? (Well-being, relationships, career, finances, etc.)
If I had to pick three categories to focus on right now, what would they be?
What does my ideal day look like? What is one small change I can make today to get closer to that?

Taking time to reflect before making changes helps you make strategic shifts instead of wasting time on surface-level fixes that don’t actually help.

Step 02: Declutter

Now that you have clarity on what’s not working, it’s time to let go of what’s draining you.

Let’s be for real, there are some things you can’t remove from your life, like:

✔ Maintaining your home
✔ Taking care of your family
✔ Doing your job

But there are plenty of things you can release, such as:

✨ Volunteering for extra commitments that aren’t a priority right now
✨ Saying yes to things out of guilt instead of genuine desire
✨ Mindlessly scrolling social media for an hour every night
✨ Taking on extra projects at work that don’t align with your goals

Ask yourself:

What do I need to let go of?
Is there a person, situation, goal, belief, or habit draining me?

I challenge you to pick 1-3 things to let go of today—even if it’s just for this season.

It might feel scary or uncomfortable to remove certain things, but your well-being depends on it!

Step 03: Edit

Now that you’ve made space by decluttering, the goal isn’t to fill that space with more. Instead, it’s about being more intentional with what’s already in your life.

Think about your daily routines. Ask yourself:

What parts of my day feel chaotic or stressful?
How can I tweak my existing habits so they better support me?

Here are some simple ways to edit your life for more flow and ease:

💡 If mornings feel stressful…
Spend 10-15 minutes after dinner prepping for the next day—lay out clothes, pack lunches, and set your keys by the door.
Bonus: Delegate tasks to your spouse or kids!

💡 If you want to spend more quality time with your family…
Instead of adding another weekly outing, put your phone away during bathtime and be fully present for 10-20 minutes. Quality time doesn’t have to mean more time—it just needs to be intentional.

💡 If you keep skipping lunch and hitting an afternoon energy slump…
Schedule a 30-minute lunch break—20 minutes to eat (without distractions!) and 10 minutes to step outside for fresh air. This isn’t adding to your day—it’s setting yourself up for better energy and focus.

💡 If dinner feels like a daily struggle…
Consider meal-prepping for the week, using a meal delivery service, or having your spouse take over dinner duties for a season.

Even things that must be done—like going to work or taking care of your home—can be edited to feel lighter and less chaotic.

You Have the Power to Edit Your Life

You, my friend, are not stuck.

You have the power to reflect on what’s not working, declutter what’s draining you, and edit your routines to support you better.

It takes intention. It takes boundary-setting. But it’s so worth it.

Because when you create more flow and ease in your life, you free up mental energy. And when you have that energy back, everything feels more manageable.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take this as your sign to pause, reset, and make space for what truly matters.

If this post supported you in any way, I’d be so grateful if you shared it on your Instagram story and tagged me @jessmassey and @hustlesanely so we can spread the Hustle Sanely® message together!

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