Have you ever felt like the world was closing in on you, with an endless to-do list and the unshakable belief that everything has to be fixed right now? Stress has a way of creating urgency where there is none. It convinces us that if we do not act immediately, everything will spiral out of control. Here is the truth: most things are not as pressing as they feel in the moment.

When we are stressed, our minds go into overdrive. We replay scenarios, overthink outcomes, and try to solve problems that might not even exist yet. This state of heightened anxiety can make even small issues feel monumental. It is as if stress puts a magnifying glass on our challenges, distorting their size and importance.

The Illusion of Control

Stress tricks us into believing that by rushing to “fix” things, we can regain control. But in reality, this approach often leads to hasty decisions, burnout, and a sense of dissatisfaction. The truth is, many of life’s challenges have a way of working themselves out with time, patience, and clarity of thought.

The Power of Breathing and Pausing

When stress takes hold, the best thing you can do is pause. Take a deep breath. Inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for six. Repeat this a few times, and you will notice your heart rate slowing, your thoughts clearing, and your body relaxing.

This simple act of breathing creates space. Space to think. Space to assess. Space to remind yourself that not everything is an emergency.

Trust the Process

One of the most challenging yet freeing lessons in life is trusting that things will unfold as they are meant to. This does not mean avoiding responsibility or neglecting your goals. It means recognizing that some situations require time and patience rather than immediate action.

For example, a disagreement with a friend might feel urgent in the moment, but pausing to reflect before responding can lead to a more thoughtful resolution. A career challenge might seem like it needs an instant fix, but giving yourself time to evaluate options often leads to better decisions.

Tips for Managing Stress-Induced Urgency

1. Prioritize: Not everything on your list is urgent. Break tasks into categories—urgent, important, and optional. Focus only on what truly matters right now.
2. Pause and Reflect: Before diving into a problem, ask yourself: “Is this really a crisis, or does it just feel like one?”
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. You do not have to have all the answers right now.
4. Seek Perspective: Talk to a trusted friend, mentor, or coach. Often, an outside perspective helps you see the situation more clearly.
5. Trust the Process: Remember that life has a rhythm. Some things will resolve naturally, while others will require intentional action—but rarely in the immediate moment.

Stress is a natural part of life, but it does not have to control you. The next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe. Remind yourself that not everything needs to be fixed right now. Trust the process, take one step at a time, and let life unfold. You will find that with patience and clarity, things have a way of working themselves out, often better than you imagined.

Let us normalize pausing in a world that glorifies urgency. After all, peace is not found in the chaos of doing. It is found in the calm of being.

Coach Erika