4 Reasons You Feel Overwhelmed—and How to Overcome It

(Pro Tips for Web3 Chads)

You're supposed to feel overwhelmed.

Probably not the message you'd want at the start of this letter, but let’s be real: Feeling overwhelmed is normal.

This letter is mostly directed at the "chads" getting started with Web3, the very chaotic environment.

Speaking of Web3, If you’re trying to make your first $1K, I'd recommend you learn a skill like content writing. There are so many opportunities for those who can solve tangible problems in the space, with content writing, you can solve a ton of problems and get paid for it.

You can start with the "Mastering Content Writing" course linked here.

For every good thought you have, a thousand negative ones are waiting to drown it out.

Overwhelm happens when the mind experiences a high degree of mental clutter, leading to chaos and confusion.

Simply put, it's when thoughts and emotions lose structure, becoming too much to handle. This is common, especially when you’re not mentally prepared to take on new roles or responsibilities.

There are several reasons why you might feel this way, but here are some of the biggest contributors:

1. Information Overload: We’re living in a time where information is limitless, but our capacity to process it isn’t. When we are flooded with data, it can lead to mental and even physical exhaustion.

2. Too Many Responsibilities: Many adults juggle roles as parents, employees, friends, students, and more. Meeting the demands of these roles often leads to overwhelm.

3. Taking on Too Much Work, Too Little Time: “Biting off more than you can chew”—this phrase says it all. Many people feel overwhelmed because they overcommit, often due to poor planning or an inability to say “no.”

4. No Balance, All Work: All work and no play can mentally drain you. Taking breaks, even brief ones—whether for a walk, exercise, or a good book—gives your mind time to recharge.

When you’re overwhelmed, you may experience a lack of clarity, stability, or focus.

Decision-making and problem-solving become difficult. But there are ways to manage it. Here are a few I’ve personally tried:

- Mindfulness Practices: Meditation helps me focus and quiet mental noise. I could write a whole piece on this.

- Task Breakdown: Tackling tasks in smaller, manageable steps keeps me from feeling buried.

- Journaling: I always carry my journal to “brain dump” my thoughts. It helps me see and sort through what’s on my mind.

-Walking: This is my favorite. I take long walks listening to spirit-edifying sermons, podcasts, or soothing music (you should try it!).

There are a couple of other things I tend to apply to curb mental disorientation but since I intend to make this letter “Web3 Chad centric”, I'll share 5 practical steps that have helped in my 3-year Web3 journey:

1. Pick a Niche: If you're just starting, don’t try to do everything. find the niche that currently aligns with your interest:

Into arts? check out NFTs and become a collector

Into solving problems? check out Web3 jobs and help projects solve problems

Into long-term investments? check out DeFi and subsections like staking and yield farming ( you could become a lender or borrower)

The point is, pick something and start there.

2. Prioritize Learning Over FOMO: Web3 is hype-driven, so create a “to-ignore” list for trends that don’t align with your goals. Resist the temptation to chase every trend, and focus instead on building sustainable skills.

3. Build a Strong Network: Your network is crucial, regardless of the industry. The people you know, learn from, or associate with matter A LOT!

Follow accounts on X you resonate with and connect with them using the 101 guide to networking in Web3.

4. Work Hard, Rest Hard: Schedule time away from screens to prevent burnout. Long hours on screens is, to me, the fastest way to get burnt out and insanely overwhelmed.

Take breaks in between work, and do something else that isn't work like seeing a movie, taking a walk, or reading a book. Just about anything that yanks your mind away from work.

5. Avoid Comparison: Web3 has some incredible success stories, but remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Trust me, you'd see 27 y/o sharing CRAZY money stories but focus on your unique journey.

Occasionally reflect on your progress, and keep grinding.

Hopefully, this letter made some sense to you :)

Until next time,

– Phoenixx