Ask Elizabeth: "How Do I Handle It When the World Feels Like Too Much?"

Dear Elizabeth,

Every time I turn on the news or scroll social media, it feels like there’s another heartbreaking headline. I’m exhausted, anxious, and constantly overwhelmed. I care deeply, but I also feel powerless. How do I stay informed without falling apart? How do I protect my peace without disconnecting from what’s going on?

— Overwhelmed and Open-Hearted

Dear Overwhelmed and Open-Hearted,

First—thank you for your honesty. You're not alone.

If you’ve been feeling like the world is too much right now, it’s because it is. The collective noise, grief, anger, injustice, conflict—it weighs on even the most resilient among us. Caring deeply is a beautiful thing, but without boundaries, it can drain us dry.

So how do we stay grounded while the world spins so wildly?

Here’s what I want to offer you:

1. You don’t need to absorb everything to be aware.

You can care deeply without being constantly plugged in. Being informed is not the same as being inundated. You’re allowed to turn off the news, mute certain accounts, or take a day offline. That isn’t ignorance—it’s wisdom. It’s knowing your limit, and honoring your nervous system.

2. Peace is not passivity.

Choosing to protect your energy isn’t avoidance—it’s preparation. When you’re grounded, you’re more capable of making conscious choices, helping others, or showing up when it really matters. Inner peace helps you act from love, not panic. It helps you respond instead of react.

3. Return to what’s real.

When the world feels too big, come back to the small things: your breath, your home, the people you love, the work in front of you. Big change begins with small acts—acts of compassion, of listening, of truth. The world will keep spinning, but you don’t have to spin with it.

4. Give your emotions somewhere to go.

Journal. Walk. Create. Talk to someone you trust. Let the feelings out instead of letting them stew. You’re allowed to be angry, sad, scared, hopeful, or all of the above. Emotions are meant to move—don’t bottle them. Move them through you with kindness.

5. Ask: What’s mine to do today?

Not everything is yours to fix. But something is yours to do. Maybe it’s a phone call to a friend, a kind word to a stranger, a donation, a vote, a moment of rest. Maybe it’s just showing up with a peaceful presence. That matters more than you know.

My heart advice?

Don’t let the world harden you. Let it wake you. Let it deepen your love, sharpen your purpose, and soften your spirit. You don’t need to do everything—you just need to do your part.

And some days? Your part is resting, realigning, and remembering that even in the overwhelm, you’re still allowed to protect your peace.

With you,

Elizabeth

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is a bestselling author, master life coach, and founder of The Best Ever You Network. With a passion for helping people navigate change and cultivate peace, she’s known for blending heart, humor, and real-life wisdom. As the author of The Change Guidebook, The Success Guidebook, and co-author of The Peace Guidebook, Elizabeth is dedicated to helping others live authentically, lead with compassion, and rise with purpose. She lives between Maine and South Carolina with her husband, Peter, and is the proud mom of four grown sons.