Have you ever faced a challenge that felt as daunting as a never-ending to-do list?

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We've all been there, especially when it comes to launching a new project or expanding our business. It's like staring at a mountain you're expected to climb without knowing where to begin.

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In times of overwhelming stress, I'm reminded of a beautiful story that writer Anne Lamott shared in her book "Bird by Bird." The tale revolves around Anne's older brother, John, who was a typical procrastinating 4th grader. He had a bird report due, and although he had months to work on it, he let the days slip by until it was due the very next day. Panic mode, right?

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So, there he was the night before, surrounded by a pile of bird books, pens, crayons, and paper, but he couldn't muster a single word. It was the classic case of "Where do I even start?"

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Enter their father, a writer himself, who sat down with John and offered a nugget of wisdom: "Just do it bird by bird."

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Now, this advice may have been tailored to a 4th grader, but its relevance extends far beyond that.

When life overwhelms us, whether it's juggling a demanding job, managing personal relationships, or taking on a new project, it feels like trying to carry the weight of the world.

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We struggle to make decisions, think clearly, and our emotions run wild.

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That's because overwhelm floods our brains with too much information and too many decisions, leaving us feeling stuck and incapable of even the simplest tasks.

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But here's where the power of conscious breathing comes into play.

Imagine taking a moment to pause and focus on your breath when you're overwhelmed. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly. Do it now!

Feel the air filling your lungs and then escaping, just like the ebb and flow of life's challenges.

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A regular breathing practice helps us deal with these moments with more ease. It brings clarity to our thoughts, allowing us to discern the next logical step amidst chaos. As we inhale, we draw in the strength and composure needed to face challenges head-on. With each exhale, we release pent-up tension and self-doubt.

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Remember, it's not the load itself that brings us down; it's how we carry it.

When you find yourself drowning in overwhelm, turn to your breath. Take a few slow, deliberate breaths to center yourself. Just like John tackled his bird report bird by bird, you can handle life's challenges breath by breath.

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Inhale. Exhale. Take one step at a time, one breath at a time, and one moment at a time. By doing this, you're essentially saying, "I'll navigate this journey breath by breath, and I'll find my way through."

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Need a little extra help? I got you covered love. Sometimes we need a little guidance to help take that decision-making away and just follow along. I've got just the thing for those moments where you could really focus on your breath for a few minutes:

​Listen to my guided breathing audio here or even save it for later.

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Suzanne

PS: I will be launching my breathing online group program soon. Wanna get notified and get early bird discount? Join the waitlist today!​

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