Last week, I shared something a little vulnerable.

I admitted that I’d been feeling overwhelmed. A little stuck. A little off.

And if I’m being honest, part of me hesitated to share it because I coach women through these exact kinds of seasons. I help women simplify their businesses, move through mindset blocks, and create momentum. So there was this little voice whispering, “Shouldn’t you have this figured out by now?”

But the more conversations I have with women, the more I realize this:

Even the women who support everyone else need support sometimes too.

Especially women in midlife. Especially women carrying businesses, families, responsibilities, expectations, and the emotional labor of everyone around them.

Sometimes we don’t need a complete life overhaul. We just need a small shift that helps us feel like ourselves again.

And that’s really what this week’s podcast episode became. Not a list of productivity hacks. Not another “fix yourself” conversation. Just a gentle reminder that feeling stuck is part of being human.

The important thing is learning how to move through it with compassion instead of criticism.

Ask a Better Question

One of the things I always come back to when I feel overwhelmed is this:

“What’s the better question here?”

Because when we’re stuck, we tend to ask ourselves terrible questions.

“What’s wrong with me?”
“Why can’t I get it together?”
“Why does this feel so hard?”

Those questions keep us trapped.

Instead, I try asking:

• What do my people need from me right now?
• How can I support them?
• What brings me joy?
• How can I bring more of that into my day?

Those questions create movement. They shift your focus from shame into service. From pressure into possibility. 

And often, the answer is simpler than we expect.

Women Weren’t Meant to Hustle Their Way Back to Themselves

For years, I believed the answer to overwhelm was to push harder.

Grind through it.
Stay disciplined.
Force momentum.

But eventually I realized something important: women are not machines.

We’re collaborative. Emotional. Creative. Connected. We thrive through community, meaning, joy, and shared experiences. And while action absolutely creates clarity, the energy behind that action matters.

You don’t always need to force yourself into motion.

Sometimes you need to help yourself feel safe, grounded, and supported first.

Small Shifts That Help You Feel Better

When life feels heavy, I try to come back to my senses. Literally.

Go outside and feel the sun on your face.
Take three slow breaths.
Smell your coffee before you drink it.
Pet your dog.
Listen to your cat purr.
Take a walk around the block.
Taste your wine slowly instead of rushing through the moment.

These tiny acts sound simple because they are simple.

But they work because they bring you back into the present moment instead of leaving you spiraling in your thoughts.

One of my favorite examples is wine tasting itself.

Think about it. Wine tasting asks you to slow down. To notice. To engage your senses. To savor. You look at the color, swirl the glass, notice the aromas, pay attention to what lingers.

That practice of presence changes the experience entirely.

And honestly? Life works the same way.

Joy Creates Momentum

One of the most powerful questions we can ask ourselves is:
“What actually lights me up?”

Not what impresses people.
Not what looks productive.
Not what we “should” want.

What genuinely brings us alive?

For me recently, it was a Wine Camp happy hour over Zoom with women from all over the country. Some had attended before. Some were joining for the first time. And as we shared memories from past trips, nobody talked first about the wine.

They talked about the laughter.
The friendships.
The silliness.
The connection.
The moments around the pool.
The disco dancing.
The shared cocktails and stories.

That confirms something important:

Women need community.
We need spaces where we can exhale and simply be ourselves.

And honestly, remembering those moments shifted my entire mood.

That’s the beauty of joy. It creates momentum. It reminds us what we’re moving toward.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re feeling stuck right now, please hear me when I say this:

You are not behind.
You are not broken.
And you do not have to earn rest, support, or joy.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is ask a better question, take one small step, and allow ourselves to receive support along the way.

And if you need someone to walk through that season with you, I’d be honored to help.

You can learn more or book a complimentary Connection Call here:

Penny for Your Shots Coaching Call

Cheers, my friend.
~Penny

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