How To Stop Feeling Overwhelmed Right Now | Mel Robbins

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In this video, I'm going to teach you a "magic trick" that I use almost every day. Why's it magic? Because of what it makes disappear.
Yup, using a pitcher of water, a mason jar, and a piece of paper, I will show you a trick that makes overwhelm vanish.
I call it a "brain dump." You've got to see it to believe it.
It's pretty nifty...and works like a charm. The next time you feel overwhelmed, don't let it get the best of you-make your overwhelm disappear with a brain dump.
Even when you're feeling stressed and like you're losing control of your time, this strategy helps ground you in the present and make progress on the things that matter.
In the comments, let me know how using the "brain dump" strategy works for you.
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[@m0L3ify]

Mel is my surrogate mom while I'm learning to re-parent myself. ❤

[@lisaw6219]

Same here

[@charmedprince]

m0L3ify you're my surrogate siblings

[@apekshatiwari208]

Cool idea. Learning to re-parent oneself.

[@user-ei8rb7sj6c]

m0L3ify I've been seeking life skills from mentors and books for over 40 years in an attempt to reparent myself. I'd never had a word for what I was doing until I read your comment, so thank you.

[@LeahPerec]

Same here!

[@Lisamakes]

I just happened to be up at 2am, feeling overwhelmed- and this came up on my feed. In 15 minutes I cleared two things off my list. Now, I can go back to sleep feeling like I’ve moved forward. Thanks, Mel!

[@amandadube3981]

Wow I enjoyed this video

[@reinaogo7161]

Just me right now😭

[@alejandrablanco8838]

Me right now its 2:48 am

[@gauravkakkar8228]

You message is like acceptable means of compliance. Compliments the video perfectly

[@Salmankhan-qt8uy]

same here . worked for me tooo

[@andreannepinard9838]

The brain dump WORKS! I’ve been doing it since high school and it helps me so much! It also helps me rationalise when I see that everything that’s in my head fits on a small piece of paper.

[@lisamarie3372]

Great observation!

[@Wholistica]

Doing brain dump is a great tool but overwhelming feelings get stored in our body, accumulating tensions in the muscles and with times can generate aches and pain. So to complement this exercise, it’s great to do some gentle nourishing movement to restore softness in the body and to calm the nervous system 😊

[@sn8323]

I love Mel and her brain hacks. Been struggling all day with debilitating overwhelm, anxiety, exhaustion, deep discouragment, and feeling like a failure.

[@mspixiedust100]

Mel is the cool smart sister with the good advice and encouragement :)

[@cybersphere]

Feeling overwhelmed and you check social media for 2 hours a day? Don't do that.

[@Whatifishowedyoumyscars]

Make it 12 hours

[@angrydinosaur8853]

@@Whatifishowedyoumyscars mood

[@sl4983]

@@Whatifishowedyoumyscars yup

[@RyanAmero]

Lmao yea good advice because I can't even focus on what I'm reading or watching so I just save everything for later & now have to eventually go threw & unsave all that shit, adding to my overwhelm yay lmao.

[@nalinai6296]

Make it 18

[@darnitthelma4247]

I’m rewatching this as I’m feeling this. I bought a to-do book and the lists are getting longer & i have started procrastinating which is what I do when overwhelmed 🙁

[@philipenoc8188]

@darnitthelma I hope everything's doing well with you right now. Know that overcoming the feeling of overwhelm is a process. Some days you feel like you're in control, some days you won't. What's more important is to keep practicing it. build that muscle until you become stronger than feeling overwhelmed with your tasks.

[@sunray_surfer]

This helped me a lot today. Finished an overdue assignment and went for a run in 1°C fog. Thank you Mel :)

[@Did-Ye-Aye]

Thank you Mel. Shoutout to all the healers in the world who watch this stuff. For me, it's more about personal development, it's about being heard and making sense of the way I am. I've realised that we're all different and some people don't need this stuff, they just do it or they live blissfully ignorant. I'm a 'feeler' and I'm highly sensitive, and as a man that causes a unique challenges. I try hard everyday to be a human being and as a man feel like no-one cares. Not in a self-pity way, it's just been my experience. I try and be myself and be kind to myself but I wish I wasn't the way I am sometimes. This stuff keeps me alive, the undervalued healers of the world trying to help other people because we know the pain.

[@khaily6645]

I'm a caretaker, part time worker, and dealing with a parent with personality difficulty/ addiction problems. At the same time having no support system. Life is so painful and overwhelming, I have no idea what time do

[@ryanrhoades2169]

I can't believe how much at peace I just felt watching this and feeling like there's some sort of Hope. This was so helpful. Thank you so much

[@ap3008]

This came at such a right moment...New job, moving out from the old apartment, reconnecting with people.. I gotta try this technique and see...

[@Serena_724]

THANK YOU you probably saved my life. I'm in the state where my brain might explode from too much stress and pressure and the feeling of overwhelmness so this will definitely help me.

[@Serena_724]

@@アシキン hey thanks for responding to my comment! I'm actually doing way better. I wrote this comment back in July and I was in a worse state. But I figured my life out now and how to tackle overwhelmness.

[@guineapig5858]

How are you doing now?

[@Serena_724]

@@guineapig5858 I'm doing fairly better!

[@guineapig5858]

@@Serena_724 that is great to hear

[@SAIFULLAHJAMIL]

I've bought a pocket notebook, days ago for my brain dump. It's been really helpful. Thank you so much, Mel!

[@rozanashahid6603]

I do this every time I feel overwhelmed, and it work magically

[@krissy7342]

My entire life has been overwhelmed for 30 years. Thank you, Mel. I really look up to you! 🙌🏼👩🏼

[@gameofthronesscenes]

Trollin?

[@vernonscott7999]

"Cast your cares on Him. For he careth for you...."

[@gracevilla7916]

I’m doing that too!

[@cynthiaholland13]

I love that

[@oaklandsoldier8520]

Does he?

[@colomboeast]

Thank you reminding me. I badly needed that.

[@granjmy]

@@oaklandsoldier8520 Yes. He honestly does. :)

[@MsCorpora]

Understanding that social media was not allowing me to relax but it was rather keeping my brain agitated was a big game changer for me. I now allow myself longer moments of silence and stay away from screens wherever I can to keep my brain in a quiet, balanced state.

[@0okeyso0]

Omg I feel like I can actually do better in life now this video helps a lot 💗😭😁

[@Wholistica]

Doing brain dump is a great tool but often overwhelming feelings get stored in our body, accumulating tensions in the muscles and with times can generate aches and pain. So to complement this exercise, it’s great to do some movement to restore softness in the body and calm the nervous system 😊

[@Alin44401]

I'm a law student with a hectic schedule and a mind full of thoughts and things I don't need to worry about, but somehow I do. After watching this video, I did my list and was able to feel much better. Thank you, Mel, for helping out your viewers with your magic tricks.

[@subsuperficiem6781]

I started my list, and it took 9 hours to get it all out. Main priority : Sleep and hope the dreams do a better job

[@gerrimiller3491]

I have high pressure to get married. My brain is so overwhelmed...i need this technique so bad right now. Thank you luv

[@veero8130]

I am struggling a lot with overwhelmend since i moved out and living alone. Household, bills, work, study,friends, pets, family. Don't know where to start and what's worse is that there's no end in sight. Already have a priority list, but it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Kudos to all parents who have all this plus kids to take care of.

[@barbaraevening3854]

Hello, start with something simple. Do one thing that needs doing and go from there. Best wishes.

[@o5048]

Mel speaks the exact same way I see the solutions to my problems, she sure is a precise and direct explainer

[@ednahara4245]

This has been my go to video for years now.

[@Lisa-hw5ln]

Excellent excellent video!...I am a highly organised single working parent and recently went on vacation with my son and fell ill on the flight home.I ended up in hospital having life saving emergency surgery. I run my life like a tight ship and as a result of my illness my life has become out of control and I have over 100 things to do that have built up over the last three weeks. As a daily list writer I told my friend that I just needed to write a huge list dividend into sections,Home ,Work,Me,My son etc and that I knew it would empty my brain and allow me to feel less overwhelmed. I’ve just watched your video and you have confirmed my beliefs and strategy. God bless you from London Mel!👍👏👊🙌🙏X

[@midlifewoman4205]

Lisa good luck Lisa from a fellow overwhelmed sick single Mum in the U.K.

[@tsich3226]

Oh My God. You are my savior. My brain is so full I feel like I am gonna have a heart attack (not really). THANK YOU!!!!! This is why I search just for you when I am lost. You're so valuable. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KQuinn672]

i am watching this before i start...the other day i did clean my room literally....and started doing halloween decor but its the same thing every year...and i have lots of books..so i wanted to change things around and now i have a huge target box full of books...i was feeling overwhelmed and stressed but today i was outside and decided well...im tired of it....so i split halloween/harvest but now have to sort through my books...go through the ones i know i will never read and donate to goodwill....and organize my two bookcases...thank you mel! its been since wednesday....so hopefully tonight ill sleep more restful! going now :)

[@mirmirs]

I keep a journal online so could just dump my stuff there when i feel overwhelmed...i did it last night before bed but maybe didn't dump enough stuff out.

[@BIGGELATO]

Crazy how stupid simple it actually is. I felt like shit earlier and now I'm back on track. Amazing.

[@awakeningblacksheep9610]

Oh the joy of you tube counciling, I watched the whole video and feel the same ....I've reached that point in my life..

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

"We suffer more in imagination than in reality." -Seneca

[@IreneL]

This is a great exercise that can do wonders. But for those times when this is not enough it is important to feel actually what is happening in your body. I learned this from Andrew Kenneth Fretwell's book, Emotional Alchemy - The Love & Freedom Hidden Within Painful Feelings. Here is a quote which explains more in depth. ''One of the main reasons we are so overwhelmed by our emotional body, is because we are so focused in the rest of our lives with the rational mind - we are not present with our body. So when these very powerful feelings arise, it’s a very different experience to our normal day to day life. The secret is slowing down and feeling.''

[@rkirk2393]

Seeing everything all written out on paper is overwhelming in itself.

[@sonyariley2710]

Why doesn’t Mel have 1mil subs yet? Love her

[@bs_blog]

I just searched and this popped up. I hated her first sentence but still watched. And gosh you're right. All that is garbage. I really needed to clear my head. Thank you so much!

[@MissMary1012]

Overwhelm is not going to make anxiety. Its normal to feel overwhelmed. You need to relax. Dont over do anything, not even writing. Just relax. You need to do what You want. Dont do do do... Just relax.. You cant act yourself out of overwhelm. You need to listen to your brain. And give it something to regenerate from. Quiet time, relaxing doing what you like. Love...

[@acesb24]

I am overwhelmed. I actually got upset and anxious when that liquid was overflowing

[@runthomas]

this brain dump is actually a new tool i am using to progress through life. thanks.

[@brydecuir8072]

I was so overwhelmed my brain was on fire and this was something simple that really put things into perspective for me , thanks so much !

[@govindbisen388]

Thanks my Mother.

[@sandrajevtic4528]

This hack is pure gold. Really. Thanks, Mel!

[@Wholistica]

Doing brain dump is a great tool but often overwhelming feelings get stored in our body, accumulating tensions in the muscles and with times can generate aches and pain. So to complement this exercise, it’s great to do some movement to restore softness in the body and calm the nervous system 😊

[@alexandriasmith8986]

Making that list and choosing 3 items might help me sleep tonight , thank you Mel, I’m making my list now. By the way, bought your book 54321 after seeing every KZbin videos you put out there, at 63 years old, you have giving me hope.

[@booboo1546]

Awee Mel....I didn't know my brain looked like a Mason Jar? I completely laughed when u said this. It was an awesome analogy. This is exactly what is happening right now. Great way to think about it & solve it!! 💗 yr videos!!

[@DrErikaSalina]

I love this visual analogy, Mel! I talk about our pre-frontal cortex holding more bits of info on it than it likes to. It's picky and runs best for us when we have few items sitting in it at a time. So, I'm also a huge fan of the brain dumps. List-making too . . . one of the benefits is that it puts us back in control of the "stuff" rather than feeling at the mercy of it. Thank you!

[@lsl0910]

Just one question, what if most of the things on my list are what I have to complete by myself and for myself and not others? Wow saying this is already kinda overwhelming lol

[@lexsiejordan9071]

Dude same. This didnt help at all hahaha

[@40bdg]

Maybe you could use the list to prioritize just your top 3 things for that day, then start with the next three thing the following day? Good luck!

[@burrito255]

The question is : are you studying for an exam too ? Because I definitely feel like I have a bunch to do to many assignements to little time to much anxiety and procrastination and the almost certainty of failing my year...

[@BrookeSC7237]

Elyse Chronique sameee

[@the_dirac_field6519]

"meeting? not my stuff"....well.... actually I have at least 3-4 meetings for week where I have to show my work in every one of them and my tasks are hard and no, I can't avoid them.

[@thedealmakergogoba8087]

Thanks Mel

[@aditsharda8295]

It's not rocket science, but the way you put it gave me a light bulb moment. Thank you so much for making this video...

[@40bdg]

I know this is an older video, but finding it today is perfect timing! Thank you!

[@psibarpsi]

Wow, Mel ! You rock!

[@ajayakumar5914]

My idea of a brain dump has historically involved cutting all forms of social contact which were not of any use to my purpose at the time. I do find myself with fewer people (at this point just one), still when that was brought to my notice I was wracked with anxiety and I was unable to focus on the million-dollar task at hand. Thank you so much for this Mel. This analogy is so spot-on and it tremendously helps to keep sight of the 3 major things that matter. :)

[@MrNewerastars]

Watching this video is making me over whelm . Just more to do now, making a list and getting jars of water .

[@TaraWagner]

This is SUCH a powerful tool, but I do have to add...if we don't take it a step further and use that brain dump to really analyze the PATTERNS that got us there, we'll just wind back up in overwhelm again and again.

[@lindakoch9524]

Give me a break

[@chelseadaley9770]

i'm always overwelmed with insight and always intense all the time and i can't stop it

[@Misshalimay]

Mel you’re a lifesaver. Mental illness killed my mother and it runs in my family pretty strong. I got over depression once thanks to my mom saving me. Now I feel depressed again and her overwhelmed so much every damn day.

[@Wholistica]

So sorry to read this.. Anyway remember there are so many natural holistic tools to get out of depression. When I feel down I write my gratitude in the morning. Especially when I don’t feel to do it, as it’s probably the time when needed the most. Also, gentle self-care nourishing movement helps me a lot. Sending you a big hug❤

[@lady4recovery]

Amen I love how real she is

[@juliebrown6818]

Such a simple yet satisfying routine. Thank you Melissa!

[@Messi10947]

i cried after writing on a piece of paper..... thank you

[@karenmacphee9186]

Your fridge is making me overwhelmed 🥺

[@karenmacphee9186]

@Belinda Nash lol

[@Melaninjulia]

3 Things? Got it! It's amazing how I literally wrote down all the things in my head 5 minutes before watching your video. I chose not to read an article about it because I'd just feel more overwhelm. So, I came onto KZbin, typed out 'how to deal with overwhelm' on the search and look! Your video at the most top of the search page, and in under 3 minutes of listening to you, I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore.

[@rebdhl86]

Hi sitting here crying so frustrated with my kids and messy house And trying to catch up on my classes after being sick With Covid. So thanks

[@ivanshedrov]

Best advices and techniques. I feel their are coming not from books, but personal experience. Quite valuable nowadays

[@allday00]

Thanks for the simply powerful message. Very timely

[@BrentMukai]

I used to do this as a teenager, and it made me feel way less stressed… you just reminded me of that because I stopped doing this years ago. Thank you so much for the reminder❤️

[@MyMachineWorld1990]

This is gold! I just started a job as a new site manager and I’ve never had this much responsibility and it’s a lot! Thank you Mel! Plan to do this now!

[@gizemcavuslar6218]

Oh wow! I just had to write it all out and highlight the ones I should do (you don't need to watch the full video anymore btw)! How could I not think about this?!?! It must be that my brain is all full! Jeez, thank you for pointing out an obvious "if I could, I would"

[@runthomas]

i love this woman...no nonsense. and helped me through this intense overwhelm... thank you so much

[@Nancy4133nope]

Excellent I am going to put this exercise into practice, NOW wow I have been so overwhelmed thank you so much Mel you ROCK

[@Ghost____Rider]

I did this and it was only then that I realised I had 2 pages full of junk clogging up my brain! Legit took me half an hour to write everything down and I'm tired just from writing it down! Imagine having all that in your head! No way

[@deahroy2744]

Hi Mel i am happy to see i do this already. I write down my overwhelming thoughts and worries all that consumes me in a diary ..inluding how it makes me feel and then take out what is important from it. A great video..you explained it so well☺

[@davincilisa1]

Omg! It's like KZbin can read my mind....timing couldn't be more perfect! Thank you Mel and You Tube

[@thewellnesstheory]

Hi Monalisa, you can also check our video on How To Deal With Overwhelm kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZuUlaGthauma7c In this video you will discover what overwhelm is, how to recognize it when it shows up, and what not to do with it. Most importantly you’ll have 5 simple steps that you can immediately to feel relief from overwhelming.

[@tearstoneactual9773]

You just saved my life.

[@danmcalester1716]

Simplicity is key as I’ve always been told and I’ve just been shown yet again :) thank you Mel!

[@anns1921]

I love you Mel Robbins... thank you!!!

[@dawiu90]

Thanks for the informative video Its better to use "I choose to do" than "I should do" it more relaxing and more human

[@tulips91]

Thank you Mel Robbins, love yah!

[@intrepidtomato]

Every time I see one of your videos I think 'Yes, DUH! I knew all this! Why don't I apply what I know!!' . It's honestly therapeutic. Thank you.

[@sarangbalakrishnankp99]

You well said that❤❤

[@lonjemariesfashions5117]

She is absolutely amazing I love her ! A counselor told me years ago how to prevent not being able to sleep because your head is full of stuff ,journal everything down before you go to sleep it makes a big difference.

[@jordanmarkis8407]

I wrote it down but when you see that it ALL needs to actually get done, as well as a micro/macro look at my values its evident that there's a lot more info missing in your video. Timing, priorities, when and what order etc

[@larissayoung868]

Thank you for always being here! I love you always ❤️ My virtual friend.

[@reinaogo7161]

You have just helped me so much. Thank you 🙏

[@number1angel66]

Thanks for sharing this helpful information. I'm going to give it a try! Blessings of love and light to all!🙏🏼💜🙏🏼💙🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼💛🙏🏼💚🙏🏼

[@vilayouthvongsomxai8215]

You saved my life. I was overwhelmed by the ideas of the project and to do list. And I just do like you said. I could calm down and able to choose the best actions I can do. Thank you.

[@anxiousbaddie444]

i hope this works cause i tend to fill my brain with alot of stuff easily and get overwhelmed

[@tamifriedkin6122]

Journaling! I do this all the time. Helps so much.

[@Jay-ec9po]

Right, overwhelm ends up holding you back from getting stuff done. It's so stressful. I love the video and your sense of humor. I'll definitely try it next time I feel overwhelmed!

[@ayrinsangels]

Thank you, Mel! I needed something simple so I can proceed with my day… and life! ♥️🙏

[@kenyaan8713]

i love this woman,,,,,,,,,,, im going to try this out!!!!!! from somwhere in africa

[@jacobejaycelmaem.6534]

So like i got into a university and they placed me into a course that I chose only as my 3rd choice--no background about it, didn't study about it and I don't have a little bit of knowledge about it. When I saw the results, I was really shocked for the second time in my one year of pandemic. I cried because it's not what I wanted. I was really stressed out and I attempted on vomitting for many times because it feels like I was being chocked by my thoughts and emotions as well. Then a while ago, I feel like my right arm is hurting. That's when I thought that I really need something like this because I am really really anxious.

[@AyaMohamed-rf8jl]

Simplicityyyyyyyy is awesome

[@SilviaHernandez-lx4zz]

Thanks I'm training bin a new position at work getting familiar with the system. I get so overwhelmed that I freeze and my brain hoes blank since involves customer service I feel overwhelmed, inadequate and I almost want to cry ,I feel I forget the few things I learn, I will try this for sure.

[@jornita4142]

Three years later… you really have no idea how much you’ve helped my family. Thank you so much

[@Anelisa_Z]

Thank you Mel, this has helped to move forward. I was really thinking I will not make it today but this has helped me a lot.

[@VineetKumarONE]

Thanks a lot! I really needed that. Now, I am gonna be the best version of myself.

[@joanneng9145]

Mel Robbins you are my role model. Whenever I feel lost, I will watch your videos. This is a declaration of my determination.

[@alexialove6379]

Thank you for helping in my time of need.

[@KyleWhiteTV]

Brilliant!

[@notwerkinginthishouse8634]

You are a role model.