Being Human vs. Doing Human Things: Finding Balance Beyond Overwhelm

When we're being human and doing human things, sometimes one will overwhelm the other. But wait—is it really overwhelm? Or are we simply attaching ourselves to that word because it's familiar?

Do we allow the word to define how we feel? Or do we pause and decide for ourselves what those feelings actually mean?

At the end of the day, it's not about how much we can handle. It's about how much we're expanding. As we become better humans, we're capable of doing more—but we do it with more heart, more care, and more love.

Too often, we get caught up in the constant cycle of do, do, do that we forget the importance of simply being. When we don't balance the two, that's when we begin to feel overwhelmed.

It's not because we're constantly doing. It's because there's no balance between being human and doing human things.

I was reflecting on this last night. With everything I have on my plate, my first thought was, "Bring it on. I can handle it." But the truth is, it's not that I can simply handle more. It's that I'm changing. I'm evolving. I'm expanding what I can welcome into my life because I'm also making space to be human—to enjoy the peace, the solitude, and the stillness.

So don't forget to balance being human with doing human things.

At the same time, recognize that you may be attaching yourself to the word overwhelm simply because it's a word you know. Don't attach yourself to the label. Don't attach yourself to its meaning. And don't let it define your experience.

Instead, reframe it.

What if, instead of saying, "I'm overwhelmed," you said, "I'm growing."

Let's make it a positive statement. Everything we're doing in today's world is helping us expand our knowledge, deepen our hearts, and become better humans.

Our goal isn't to choose between being and doing. It's to learn how to balance both.

Because when we do, life becomes more meaningful, more fulfilling, and more aligned with who we're becoming.