How I Get Through My To-Do List Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A simple shift that helped me stop spiralling and start getting things done — without the stress.
There was a time when my to-do list lived entirely in my head.
Not because I didn’t own a planner. Not because I hadn’t downloaded half a dozen productivity apps. But because, deep down, I was afraid.
I knew that if I wrote down everything I had to do — from uni assignments to replying to emails, cooking dinner, booking that long-overdue appointment for my daughter, finishing my business module, and figuring out how to stretch the food budget for another week — I would spiral.
The list felt endless.
I thought that writing it all down would make me feel more anxious. But trying to carry it all in my head? That made me feel even worse.
The Mental Load That Nearly Broke Me
It was a Friday. My toddler was teething, my inbox was overflowing, and I had a coursework deadline I hadn’t even started. I also had to pick up groceries, deal with a financial aid form, and prepare for a family Zoom call that I didn’t have the emotional energy for.
I stood at the kitchen counter, staring at the kettle, unable to remember if I had already boiled the water. My chest was tight. My brain was foggy. My stomach twisted every time I remembered another thing I had to do.
I felt like I was drowning in invisible tasks — the kind no one else could see or understand. And worse, I felt like I was failing at everything.
That night, after the kids were asleep, I finally sat down, pulled out an old notebook, and did something terrifying:
I wrote everything down.
Every single thing I had to do. Big or small. Urgent or not. From “reply to Sarah” to “submit assignment,” “wash school uniforms,” and “send mum the birthday money.”
And I cried.
Not because the list was overwhelming, but because it was finally out of my head.
The Strategy That Changed Everything
Once I wrote the list, I didn’t stop there. I did two things that changed how I get through my to-do list to this day:
1. I Sorted the List By Priority
I asked myself:
- What’s truly urgent?
- What will move the needle in my life/business/studies?
- What will create peace if I handle it now?
That gave me List A: The Priority List — the tasks that needed action first.
2. I Sorted the List By Stress Level
Then, I made a second version of the list. This time, I sorted it by how much each task stressed me out, from most anxiety-inducing to easiest.
That gave me List B: The Emotional Load List.
Suddenly, I could see what was important and what was just emotionally draining. Sometimes, the most stressful thing wasn’t the most urgent. Sometimes, it was just the one thing I’d been avoiding.
This two-list system gave me clarity, not just on what to do, but how to approach it.
How I Use My Two Lists to Get Stuff Done Without the Overwhelm
Now, here’s the part that changed my relationship with productivity:
I don’t power through my to-do list in order anymore. I balance my energy, not just my time.
Here’s how I do it:
- I start each day by picking one task from List A (priority)
- Then, I pick one task from List B (stressful) — starting with the one that gives me the most tension
- I alternate between “needs doing” and “emotionally heavy”
- I take mini breaks between them — 5 minutes of tea, stretching, or journaling
- And I end the day with a small, easy win to boost my confidence
No more 20-task lists that leave me feeling like a failure. No more guilt for not ticking everything off.
Instead, I focus on 2–3 meaningful actions that actually move me forward, emotionally and practically.
What I’ve Learned (And What You Might Need to Hear Too)
If you’re someone who’s juggling motherhood, coursework, business dreams, family responsibilities, and still trying to keep it all together — I see you.
And I want you to know:
- You’re not failing. You’re overloaded.
- You don’t lack motivation. You lack clarity.
- You don’t need to do more. You need to do less — but on purpose.
Writing it down won’t break you. It will free you.
✅ Ready to Take Action?
Download my FREE guide:
📝 “The Clarity Method: How to Write and Organise Your To-Do List Without the Stress”
🎁 Bonus inside:
🌿 A printable version of the dual-list system with checkboxes
🧠 A 5-minute reflection prompt to close your day in calm and confidence
💬 Affirmations to repeat when the list feels heavy:
👩🏽💻 This guide is perfect for:
- Busy mums, students, and multi-passionate women
- Anyone prone to to-do list anxiety
- People who want clarity and peace, not just productivity
“You don’t have to do everything today. Just enough to move forward without losing yourself in the process.”
The Balanced Wealth Studio
