Companion Article: August 6th, 2025 -- Enthusiasm & Overwhelm
Enthusiasm, from the Greek entheos meaning "possessed by a god," represents our psyche's natural response to possibility and meaning. Psychologically, it manifests as elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened attention—essentially, our nervous system's way of saying "this matters." However, when enthusiasm lacks boundaries or direction, it transforms into overwhelm, where the same heightened arousal becomes dysregulating rather than energizing.
From a cognitive perspective, overwhelm occurs when our attentional resources become scattered across too many stimuli or demands. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive function and decision-making, becomes overloaded, leading to the familiar symptoms of mental fog, decision paralysis, and emotional dysregulation.
Philosophical Frameworks for Balance
Ancient Stoic philosophy offers the concept of preferred indifferents—recognizing that while we may naturally feel drawn to many opportunities or experiences, not all deserve equal investment of our life force. Marcus Aurelius wrote about the discipline of desire, learning to want what serves our deeper purpose rather than chasing every attractive possibility.
Buddhist psychology contributes the understanding of upadana or clinging—how our enthusiasm can become attachment that binds us to outcomes rather than flowing with what serves the highest good. The middle way suggests neither suppressing enthusiasm nor allowing it to run uncontrolled, but channeling it with wisdom and discernment.
Neurobiological Insights
Modern neuroscience reveals that enthusiasm activates the brain's reward system, flooding us with dopamine and creating powerful motivation for action. However, when this system becomes overstimulated—often through modern life's constant stream of options and digital stimulation—we experience the neurochemical dysregulation we call overwhelm.
The parasympathetic nervous system, our "rest and digest" response, serves as nature's built-in regulator. By consciously activating this system through breathwork, nature connection, and mindful presence, we can restore our capacity to feel enthusiastic without becoming scattered.
Practical Integration Strategies
Daily Rhythm Regulation: Establish consistent wake and sleep times that honor your natural circadian rhythms. This provides the nervous system stability needed to handle excitement without overwhelm.
The Three-Enthusiasm Rule: At any given time, consciously choose only three projects, goals, or pursuits to receive your enthusiastic energy. Write them down. When new opportunities arise, practice the discipline of conscious choice—will this serve your deeper purpose more than what you're already tending?
Somatic Grounding Practices: When enthusiasm tips toward overwhelm, employ physical practices that reconnect you with your body: feet flat on earth, hands pressed against trees, cold water on wrists, or conscious breathing that emphasizes longer exhales.
Seasonal Awareness: Honor that just as nature has seasons of expansion and rest, your enthusiasm needs cycles too. August's high summer energy calls for passionate engagement, but it must be balanced with moments of stillness and reflection.
Nature as Nervous System Regulator: Spend daily time in natural settings without devices or agenda. Research confirms that even brief nature exposure activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces cortisol levels, creating the physiological foundation for sustainable enthusiasm.
Energy Audit Practice: Weekly, honestly assess where your enthusiasm is actually flowing versus where you intend it to go. Notice patterns of energy leakage—activities, commitments, or mental habits that drain rather than fuel your deeper purposes.
The goal isn't to eliminate enthusiasm's wild energy or overwhelm's uncomfortable teaching, but to develop the wisdom to work skillfully with both as they arise, allowing the earth's patient rhythms to guide your own relationship with intensity and rest.
Omg, Wendy! This is so freaking good! Thank you! I needed this.
Lately it is so easy to be overwhelmed both in purpose and in action. Emotionally it has been too much sometimes for any action but retreat from both.