When life feels too much, it’s easy to spiral into stress or frustration. But this simple mindset shift from ancient Stoic wisdom might be just what you need to find your calm again. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this Stoic mindset for overwhelm to feel more at ease and present.
ARE THINGS GETTING ON TOP OF YOU? YOU’RE NOT ALONE
We all have those days.
The washing is piling up, the kids are arguing, your To Do list is a mile long, your boss needs that project you’ve been working on by yesterday and somehow you’re supposed to stay on top of it all with a calm smile and a cup of coffee in hand.
But instead, you’re pulled in ten directions at once—your thoughts racing, your energy scattered, and your patience hanging by a thread.
When I find myself in that state—overwhelmed, reactive, and slightly frazzled—I increasingly turn to an unlikely source of comfort: a 2,000-year-old mindset from the ancient Stoics.
Now, I know “Stoic philosophy” might not sound like the obvious solution when you’re knee-deep in laundry and chaos. But hear me out—because this one simple shift in thinking has changed the way I handle overwhelm more than anything else.
DECLUTTERING IS ONE SOLUTION BUT IT’S NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION
I have many articles on decluttering and in fact it’s how my blog began, and I can absolutely say that it’s changed my life for the better in every way. There are so many things that I’ve been able to do without the emotional burden of clutter (not to mention the actual physical stuff) taking up my space, energy and time.
However, it would be remiss and misleading of me to say that decluttering will solve all your problems. Yes, it solves many but I’ve also found, obviously, that it doesn’t solve all. This is why I write about both simple and intentional living – living a life of presence, purpose, direction and clarity.
To find workarounds for the things that just clearing clutter can’t solve. How to manage bouts of anxiety, grief at the passing of a loved one, financial struggles of losing a job, or as an empty-nester – redefining your identity when your grownup kids no longer need you in the same way as they did when they were young.
STOIC THINKING
In practicing more intentional living I do as much reading and learning as I can, and that’s how I came to be curious about Stoicism. A philosophy from 2000 years ago that begun in Ancient Greece and Rome and which continues to be practiced now in the modern day. In a nutshell, Stoic thinking encourages us to overcome the problems of life, be present and less affected by what we can’t control.
“Stop being jerked like a puppet. Limit yourself to the present.” (Marcus Aurelius)
In combination with my love of decluttering and a more simple and intentional approach to life, I think there’s much I (and maybe you) could learn from a more Stoic way of thinking.
One such practical example is what I’m sharing today in a really easy way – what to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed by life and one Stoic mindset shift to help combat overwhelm that works for me… and may work for you too.
THE STOIC SECRET: CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
One of the core teachings of Stoicism is this:
“Some things are in our control. Some things are not.” (Epictetus)
It sounds obvious. But when you really take it in, it’s deeply freeing.
So much of our stress comes from trying to manage things that aren’t actually in our power—other people’s moods, what might happen tomorrow, what someone might think, or what we “should have done.”
The Stoics would gently remind us: those things are outside our control. And spending our limited time and energy on them only creates frustration.
What is within our control?
Our mindset. Our choices. Our words. Our attitude. The way we show up in the moment.
That’s it. And that’s enough.
A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE: THE FRANTIC MORNING
Let’s take a familiar scenario. It’s Monday morning. The school bag’s missing, the breakfast dishes are still on the table, your inbox is filling up, and someone just spilled juice on the floor.
Overwhelm starts to build.
You can’t control that the juice is already spilled. You can’t control the traffic or your child’s mood or the timing of that urgent email.
But you can take a breath.
You can choose how you respond. You can calmly clean up the spill, offer a quick cuddle, or simply pause and say, “We’re doing our best.”
It doesn’t mean you won’t feel stress—but it helps you carry it differently.
THE POWER OF A PAUSE
This is what this Stoic mindset shift for overwhelm teaches us in daily life: to pause and choose. To shift from reacting out of panic to responding with presence.
In the middle of the chaos, you can ask:
- What can I control right now?
- What’s mine to carry—and what isn’t?
- What’s the next kind thing I can do, for myself or someone else?
This simple reflection brings you out of the swirl and into a steadier place. Not perfect. Not polished. But grounded.
WHY THIS MINDSET SIMPLIFIES EVERYTHING
When we focus only on what we can control, we:
- Spend less time worrying and more time acting with purpose
- Let go of guilt about things that were never ours to fix
- Free up mental space for calm, connection, and clarity
This Stoic mindset to deal with overwhelm, in other words, is just a simple way to declutter your mind—just like you’d declutter a cupboard or a drawer. Less noise. More breathing room.
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A PHILOSOPHER—JUST PRESENT
The beauty of Stoicism is that you don’t need to be a philosopher or quote ancient texts to live by its wisdom. You just need a willingness to pause and remember:
You can’t control everything. But you can control how you show up.
And that small shift? It’s where peace begins—even in the mess of ordinary life.
A GENTLE REMINDER FOR YOU TODAY
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, please know: you’re not alone. Life is full, and it’s okay to feel stretched sometimes. But you are not powerless.
Start small. Take a deep breath. Choose your next step—not from panic, but from presence.
And let that be enough.
If you’re feeling up against it and everything is too much, maybe it’s time to look after yourself? Are you running on empty, forgetting to take care of your own body and mind because you’re too busy looking after everyone else? I hear you. Why not take a look at my Self-Care Toolkit to see if it might help you find time and space for you? Click here to learn more.
FAQS: USING A STOIC MINDSET WHEN YOU’RE FEELING OVERWHELMED
Curious about Stoicism or just wondering how it applies to simple, intentional living? I hope these common questions and answers are helpful to you.
1. What exactly is a Stoic mindset?
A Stoic mindset means focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t. It’s about accepting life as it comes, choosing your response rather than reacting emotionally, and living with clarity, self-discipline, and inner calm. It doesn’t mean suppressing feelings—it means navigating them thoughtfully.
2. Can anyone use Stoicism, or do you need to study philosophy first?
You absolutely don’t need to study philosophy! Stoicism is incredibly practical. Anyone can use its ideas, no matter their background. It’s really about applying simple principles—like pausing before reacting, or choosing where to place your attention—to help you handle life with more ease.
3. Does a Stoic mindset mean I shouldn’t feel emotions?
Not at all. Stoicism doesn’t ask you to ignore or deny your emotions—it invites you to feel them, understand them, and then choose how to respond wisely. It’s not about being emotionless; it’s about not being ruled by your emotions.
4. How can I start using Stoic principles in daily life?
Start small. Ask yourself in stressful moments:
- “What can I control right now?”
- “What’s outside my control?”
- “How do I want to show up in this moment?”
You can also try simple Stoic practices like morning reflection, journaling, or setting intentions for the day ahead.
5. How does Stoicism help with mental clutter or decision fatigue?
By narrowing your focus to what’s truly within your control, Stoicism removes a huge amount of mental “noise.” Instead of worrying about everything, you learn to direct your energy more purposefully. It’s a mindset that clears space—not just in your diary, but in your mind and heart, too.
Here are some more articles and resources you might enjoy:
- Daily Stoic Podcast
- What the Ancient Stoics Can Teach Us About Simple Living Today
- 7 Gentle Ways to Overcome Self-Doubt and Believe in Yourself Again
- What Does It Mean To Simplify Your Life?
- 15 Helpful Habits for Positive Thinking
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Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, a website helping busy people declutter their home and life and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, reading or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Get your free Declutter Starter Kit.