The Truth About Overwhelm: What I Wish I Knew Sooner as a High Achieving Nurse

By Heather Strand: Mindset Fitness + Self-Leadership Coach

I used to think overwhelm was just part of being successful.

I'd juggle calendars, meetings, side hustles, and a smile. Behind closed doors, though? I was exhausted, anxious, and one coffee spill away from crying in my car.

I figured if I just pushed a little harder, bought another planner, or color-coded my to-do list like a Pinterest boss...I'd finally feel in control.

But I didn't need more hustle. I needed healing.

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was drowning in overwhelm-and how I now help nurses break free and breathe again.

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Overwhelm Isn't Just a Time Problem

We treat overwhelm like a scheduling issue:

"I just need better time management"

"I need to say no more"

"I need to plan further ahead"

But here's the real truth:

Overwhelm is often an identity and alignment problems

We say yes out of guilt, not joy.

We overfill our plates to prove we're "enough".

We don't delegate because we believe "if I don't do it, it won't be done right."

Sound familiar?

That's not a time issue-that's a mindset issue. And it's costing us more than productivity. It's costing us peace and joy.

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Mindset Fitness Changed Everything

When I finally hit my breaking point (yes, hospital stay and all), I realized something had to give-and it wasn't going to be me anymore.

That's when I discovered the power of mindset fitness.

Mindset fitness isn't about perfection. It's about strengthening your mental, emotional, and physical core-just like you would your body in a workout.

Here's where I practice and teach:

1. Cognitive Strengthening

   • Problem-solving under pressure

   • Clear thinking instead of reactive spirals

   • Staying connected to your values in tough conversations

2. Emotional Resilience

   • Knowing your triggers and managing your responses

   • Building confidence from within

   • Letting faith speak louder than fear

3. Food as Fuel

   • Eating to support your brain, hormones, and energy

   • Breaking the caffeine-crash cycle

   • Fueling productivity instead of numbing emotions with food

   
   

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The High Achieving Nurse's Trap

Let's talk about it.

If you're used to being the "strong one"...

If people depend on you at work AND at home...

If you feel guilty taking time for yourself...

You might be caught in the trap of over functioning.

I see it all the time with my clients, nurses who carry so much and rarely pause to ask:

"Am I living in alignment with who God created me to be?"

"Or am I trying to be everything to everyone?"

Friend, you are not meant to be the hero of everyone else's story at the cost of your own soul.

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From Surviving to Leading

I had a nurse client once tell me, "A couple years ago I was not in a good place and I don't ever want to go anywhere near that place again."

She went from dreading her job as a nurse practitioner to loving it again-and she didn't quit or run away.

She just finally gave herself permission to lead herself first.

That's the real shift:

• From pouring from an empty cup...To serving from an overflow

• From reactive burnout...To responsive leadership

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Let's Not Forget the Faith Piece

I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't say this part out loud:

God didn't design you to be exhausted 24/7.

Yes, take action.

Yes, learn new tools.

But also, let go. Let God.

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Final Word: You're Not Broken-You're Just Overloaded

Overwhelm doesn't mean you're weak.

It means you're human.

And that's exactly why mindset fitness is so powerful-because it helps you rise with grace, not just grind.

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Ready for your reset?

If you're tired of juggling it all and still feeling like it's never enough, I've got something for you.

Let's schedule you with a discovery call where we can create a plan specifically for you!

Let's take the pressure off your plate and put the peace back in your life.

REMEMBER...Align Your Heart...Let Your Leadership Soar!

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Schedule your FREE 45-minute discovery call today!

Heather Strand | Mindset Fitness Coaching