When you are going through any situation of high stress, accomplishing even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. This can be why people dealing with mental health challenges or who are preoccupied by their caregiving responsibilities can find it hard to manage day to day tasks.

There are some ways to make everyday tasks that feel Goliath-like more doable:

• Start small: Staying organized with a to-do list can be great, until the list grows so long that even looking at it is daunting. One way to overcome this is to complete the simplest item on the list and reward yourself with the satisfaction of completing it and getting the ball rolling. This can include making the to-do list itself, or a task that you may sort of enjoy, like taking your dog on a walk.
• Set attainable goals: When your house looks messy, you may feel ashamed and feel the need to tackle all of it at once. This can be an impractical ambition that sets you up to fail. Give yourself a more manageable task to start. It is also important to customize tasks to fit personal needs and meet you where you are: if doing all the dishes feels impossible, start by just making sure your favourite mug is clean and ready for your morning coffee.
• Ask for help: There is strength in knowing when you need some support. Try to identify friends or family that can help you. Leaning on others can help you accomplish more and the associated social interaction can also help in many ways.
• Ditch the ‘all-or-nothing’ mentality: Avoid categorizing situations in extreme and absolute terms: rarely is anything a total success or a complete failure. You can start whenever and do as much as you can. You can also restart, retry, or adapt your tasks to fit your needs and abilities.
• Give yourself some grace: It is important in moments of struggle to remember that you can choose how you view the situation and move forward. You are capable of overcoming these moments, but start with being kind and patient to yourself during the low moments.
• Reward your efforts: If you were not able to take a shower, but you managed to brush your teeth, that is commendable! It may feel silly to pat yourself on the back for tasks you once did so easily but your ability to adapt and survive painful experiences is a victory worth celebrating.

–Nazila Tolooei
From Share&Care Summer 2026
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