I used to think I was having an identity crisis. After leaving my teaching career, I struggled to find a new sense of self, especially as a stay-at-home mom. So, I went to therapy, hoping for a simple, three-step solution. What I found was something much more complex and, at times, more damaging: a new set of labels that became my entire identity.

My therapist began giving me labels like codependent, anxious, avoidant, and enmeshed. At first, it felt like an explanation for all my struggles. But these labels quickly became a trap, a heavy weight shackled to my ankle that I dragged with me everywhere.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s all too easy to take on more than we can handle. The desire to prove ourselves and manage the perceptions of others can lead us down a path of overcommitment, leaving us feeling unfocused, erratic, and utterly overwhelmed. This is a tale many of us know all too well, and it’s the focus of a particularly insightful podcast episode I recorded years ago.

Here are some of the key takeaways to help anyone struggling with similar issues:

Letting Go of Unnecessary Burdens

1. Identify What’s Not Yours

2. Practice Saying ‘No’

3. Delegate

Prioritizing Self-Care and Worthiness

1. Self-Care Rituals

2. Affirmations

3. Align Actions with Values

Building and Relying on Your Support System

1. Seek Support

2. Share Your Struggles

3. Set Boundaries