I’m So F*cking Overstimulated

Too many tabs open.

It hit me the other day while I was trying to send a voice note, refill a sippy cup, respond to a Slack, half-listen to a podcast, dodge a Hot Wheels car, and stir some boxed Mac & Cheese. My AirPods were in, the TV was on, Ruby was babbling, Ryland was mid-why-phase, and my phone notifications were pinging like it owed me money. Every tab in my brain? Open.

I paused (okay, I snapped) and thought: I am so f*cking overstimulated.

And not in the “fun night out, too many espresso martinis” way - more like the I’ve hit my sensory threshold and I might cry because someone is chewing too loud way. Between motherhood, running a business, managing a team, texting people back (or not), and just trying to keep my house from looking like a toddler-led episode of Hoarders (figuratively, but also possibly literally), my brain is operating on a never-ending group chat loop.

This isn’t a complaint post (okay, maybe a little), but more of a shared exhale. If you’ve felt this too—like you’re constantly in motion, constantly “on,” and constantly forgetting something important—same.

So here’s what I actually do to try and dial things down (when I remember to):

1. Phone in a Drawer at Night
If I don’t physically put it away, I’ll scroll. So lately, I’ve been leaving it in the kitchen or a drawer after 8pm (okay, 9pm) and pretending it's 2003 again. Spoiler alert: nothing explodes.

Wireless Charging Tray – keeps my phone out of sight (and out of mind) while staying charged. Plus, it’s pretty enough to leave out.

2. Five Minutes Alone in the Car
No music, no calls, just me and my thoughts. Or… nothing. Nothing is better. Bonus points for a calming scent.

Vitruvi Diffuser – it fits in a cupholder and turns your car into a spa. Yes, really.

3. The Noise-Canceling Headphone Hack
Not for music. Just to mute the chaos. Game-changer if you’re solo parenting and need to cook dinner without the sounds of Bluey drilling into your skull.

Bose Headphones – chic and blessedly silent.

4. A 'No' Streak
Saying no is free. But I also love the dopamine hit of writing it down.

Papier Daily Planner – perfect for tracking what you’re not doing.

5. Replacing My Doom Scroll with a Real Book
Even if it’s just a page a night, reading something non-work related helps switch my brain into chill mode.

• All Fours by Miranda July (my recent fav)

• Atomic Habits by James Clear (when I want to pretend I have my life together)

6. Putting a Candle in the Shower
Yes, I know this is giving Pinterest hack circa 2016, but hear me out: it makes my 4-minute rinse feel like a spa.

Diptyque Candle – woodsy, sexy, calming. A top-tier vibe.

7. Asking for Space - Out Loud
I literally say to my kids or husband, “I need a minute to not be touched or talked to.” They get it. Boundaries are sexy. Also helpful? Aromatherapy while hiding in the bathroom.

OSEA Nerve Oil – roll it on and breathe like you have your life together.

8. Setting the Mood for Sleep
I’ve learned that the way I wind down at night directly impacts how I wake up. Setting a consistent bedtime routine with calming light and sound has been a game-changer. Bonus points if it makes waking up feel less like being jolted out of a coma.

HATCH Restore – dreamy, aesthetic, and perfect for actually getting some rest.

Silk Sleep Mask – blocking out the world never felt so soft.

All that being said, I’m still overstimulated most days. But I’m learning to recognize it sooner, name it, and then do something about it. Even if that something is just locking myself in the bathroom and pretending I’m at a silent retreat. (Spoiler: I’m not. But we’re manifesting.)

If you’re feeling like life is one long sensory overload too, just know: you’re not alone. Let’s scream into our pillows together. Or, you know, buy another overpriced candle and pretend that’s progress.