331: Overcoming Overwhelm: Less Chaos in Your Head, More Peace in Your Life
Is your mind constantly stuck in overwhelm: spinning with thoughts, worries, and what-ifs? In this episode, we’ll explore how you can begin to quiet the chaos and overwhelm when your brain feels especially loud.
Learn how to identify the real root of the noise, why overthinking masquerades as safety, and how to use the A.D.D. emotional management tool to find true peace in Christ.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
[00:00] Why Does My Head Feel So Loud All the Time?
[04:00] Why the Chaos Gets Louder at Night (and What to Do About It)
[06:00] The Truth About Overthinking and False Peace
[09:00] What’s Really Behind the Need to “Figure It All Out”
[12:00] The Power of Surrender + the “Floaty” Metaphor
[15:00] How the Brain Reinforces Thought Spirals
[17:00] What’s Feeding the Chaos? False Safety + Mental Habits
[18:00] A Practical Walkthrough: Using A.D.D. to Calm Your Mind
[23:00] Why This Matters During the Holiday Season
[25:00] Real Peace Requires Real Practice—But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
[00:00] Why Does My Head Feel So Loud All the Time?
You know those movies where you're hearing a thousand conversations at once? That’s what my brain used to feel like—and sometimes still does. The chaos in our minds is more than just “overthinking.” It’s emotional overwhelm that spills out as mental noise, spirals, and even anxiety.
We’re not even talking about the outside world—this is the stress and pressure happening entirely inside our heads. And when that pressure builds, we look for ways to escape—whether that’s numbing with screens, shopping, food, or zoning out. But what we really need isn’t distraction. It’s restoration. Peace.
[04:00] Why the Chaos Gets Louder at Night (and What to Do About It)
Have you noticed the chaos is loudest at night? When we stop running and finally lie down, all the stuff we didn’t process during the day comes rushing in. That’s why making space for our emotions before bedtime matters—whether through journaling, quiet time with God, or just allowing ourselves to pause.
There’s a beautiful African proverb that says: “We must let our souls catch up with our bodies.” That’s what so many of us need. The noise is our soul saying, “I can’t keep up with this pace anymore.”
[06:00] The Truth About Overthinking and False Peace
Some of us are deep thinkers by nature—and that’s not a bad thing. But overthinking can become a false strategy to find peace. We believe, “If I think through every possible outcome, I’ll feel more in control.” But in reality, it just fuels more anxiety.
Overthinking gives the illusion of safety. It’s our brain’s attempt to calm the unknown. But it doesn’t lead to peace—it leads to mental exhaustion. Peace comes from choosing surrender, not control.
[09:00] What’s Really Behind the Need to “Figure It All Out”
The root of overthinking is often fear. Fear of what’s next. Fear of what people think. Fear that God might not show up the way we hope.
Our brains are wired for repetition. So if we keep telling ourselves “I have to fix this,” “I’m not enough,” “I need to have a plan for every scenario,” those thoughts become the truth we live from—even when they’re not true.
But here’s the good news: The brain can be retrained. We can stop reinforcing chaos and start building peace—one choice at a time.
[12:00] The Power of Surrender + the “Floaty” Metaphor
God gave me this beautiful metaphor recently while I was floating in my pool. It reminded me that I can be surrounded by chaos (the water), but I don’t have to drown in it. I can float. I can surrender.
Just like the floaty carries me without my effort, surrender means letting God carry me through life’s chaos. That’s the invitation. We don’t have to be submerged in the stress—we can rest above it.
[15:00] How the Brain Reinforces Thought Spirals
The brain repeats what it believes works. Even if overthinking isn’t actually helping, your brain sees it as a coping strategy. So it keeps repeating it.
That’s why spirals feel automatic. But we can interrupt the cycle by practicing something different. When we stop repeating lies and start choosing truth, the brain slowly begins to shift toward peace as the new default.
[17:00] What’s Feeding the Chaos? False Safety + Mental Habits
Ask yourself: What is this mental clutter pretending to protect me from?
Is the overthinking a way to avoid trusting God?
Is it helping you feel “in control” when everything feels uncertain?
Those thought loops are rooted in fear. But God isn’t asking us to figure it all out. He’s asking us to trust Him in the middle of the unknown.ead of condemning the emotion, treat it as a messenger that helps you partner with God for transformation.
[18:00] A Practical Walkthrough: Using A.D.D. to Calm Your Mind
Here’s how to use the A.D.D. method (Acknowledge, Discern, Decide) to calm the chaos in your head:
✨ Acknowledge – “I notice I’m overthinking right now.” Be honest. Don’t judge the thought. Just name it. Recognize the desire for control or the fear behind it.
✨ Discern – Ask: “Is this thought true? Or is it based on fear, not faith?” Maybe you’re reliving a conversation or spinning about the future. What’s true in this moment? What is God saying instead?
✨ Decide – Choose a new path. “God, I release this. I choose to focus on Your truth instead.” Anchor to a scripture. Surrender what you can’t control. Declare what’s still true even if you don’t have clarity yet.
[23:00] Why This Matters During the Holiday Season
This episode is part of our ongoing series on overwhelm, and friend, it couldn’t be more timely.
November and December are packed with expectations, family dynamics, and end-of-year pressure. That’s why we’re focusing on “Peace in the Midst of Overwhelm” in the Emotional Confidence Club. This isn’t about pretending everything’s calm. It’s about getting real about the inner chaos and choosing to respond differently.. Go here to learn more and to apply (spaces are limited)!
[25:00] Real Peace Requires Real Practice—But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Let’s stop just talking about peace and start practicing it—together. In the Emotional Confidence Club, we’re making this practical. You’ll learn to identify what’s feeding the chaos, process it with God using tools like A.D.D., and create habits that support peace in everyday life.
And you’ll do it alongside other Christian women who get it—who know the struggle and want to grow too. If that sounds like something your heart is craving, apply now. This might be the exact step you need to finally quiet the chaos and let God’s peace reign.
RESOURCES:
Want practical help learning to manage your emotions better? Join us in Alicia’s Emotional Confidence Club!
We’re a Christ-centered community of women learning to process everyday emotions—like disappointment, overwhelm, and shame—using a science-and-Scripture-based roadmap that makes emotional healing practical, powerful, and personal.
Every 6 weeks we welcome new members and focus on a new topic (and November and December is on “Finding Peace in the Midst of Overwhelm”)!
Apply now to join us at AliciaMichelle.com/club.
RELATED EPISODES:
Ep 330: How to Manage Big, Out of Control Emotions
Ep 312: What to Do When You Can’t Stop Crying, Snapping, or Shutting Down
Ep 304: Take Control of Your Feelings: “Get Off the Mat” + “What Thoughts Will You Let Land?”
