Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much at Work
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown shares a comparison I love that really helps illustrate this “place” in a work context. If you’ve ever worked in a kitchen, you probably used the terms being in the weeds and being blown to describe when things were feeling uncertain or too much.
When you’re in the weeds, you’re stressed - the orders are piling up, the clock is ticking, but you’re still managing to plate dishes and keep things moving. It’s intense, but you’re functional.
When you’re blown, you’re overwhelmed - you’ve lost track of what’s next, you’re running on adrenaline, and you can’t see a way out. You’re not just under pressure; you’re buried by it. Things often come to a complete standstill before the kitchen can come together to find a way through.
That’s what this “place” is about: the moments when things feel uncertain, unpredictable, or simply too much.
The Emotions Under the Surface
Stress
When we evaluate that environmental demands exceed our ability to cope successfully.
Overwhelm
An extreme level of stress to the point of feeling unable to function.
Anxiety
Characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased heart rate or blood pressure.
Worry
A chain of negative thoughts about bad things that might happen in the future.
Avoidance
Not showing up and/or spending energy zigzagging around the thing that already feels like it’s consuming us.
Excitement
An energized state of enthusiasm leading up to or during an enjoyable activity.
Dread
Occurs in response to high-probability negative events; the feeling intensifies as the event draws near.
Fear
A negative, short-lasting, high-alert emotion in response to a perceived threat.
Vulnerability
The emotion we experience during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
Why This Place Is So Common at Work
Work is full of change, deadlines, and moving targets. Projects shift direction, decisions are made without our input, or our to-do lists grow faster than we can cross things off.
Sometimes, the stakes truly are high. Other times, it just feels that way because there’s uncertainty and no clear sense of control.
As Brené Brown reminds us,
“Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”
In other words, when things feel uncertain or too much, the goal isn’t to suppress those emotions. The goal is to recognize these emotions as signs of bravery. You’re showing up in the middle of it all, doing your best despite not having all the answers.
The Default Emotion: “I’m Stressed”
When work feels unpredictable or overloaded, the default phrase we hear most is “I’m stressed.”
In the kitchen terms from above, stress is being in the weeds. The workload is high, the clock is tight, but you’re still functioning. It points to external factors or visible demands that others can see, too.
But what’s often happening underneath “I’m stressed” can be more internal and more illuminating. Maybe you’re anxious, worried, or even dreading something. Maybe you’re avoiding a difficult task or conversation. Or maybe what you’re actually feeling is vulnerable. You’re uncertain about how things will unfold, but courageous enough to keep going.
Digging Deeper
When things start to feel like too much, pause and ask yourself:
Am I stressed or have I crossed into feeling overwhelmed?
Is my body showing signs of anxiety (tension, heart rate, shallow breathing)?
Am I spinning out in worry about what could go wrong?
Am I practicing avoidance, pouring my energy into everything but the thing I need to face?
Am I actually excited about the challenge ahead?
Or am I feeling dread because I expect something negative to happen?
Each of these emotions offers a clue about what’s really happening and what kind of support you might need.
The Power of Naming It
Accurately naming your emotion gives you clarity on what to do next and helps others support you in meaningful ways.
Example 1:
Rather than saying “I’m stressed,” you realize you’re actually dreading an upcoming call with overseas clients that’s likely to be difficult. By naming it, you give your boss context, and they help you prepare slides, while a colleague offers to do a practice run with you the day before. Suddenly, the event feels less daunting because you’re not facing it alone.
Example 2:
Instead of defaulting to “I’m stressed,” you recognize the physical tension and racing heart rate as anxiety. That awareness helps HR connect you with wellness resources (maybe a breathing practice, coaching support, or counseling) tools you might not have reached for otherwise.
Naming what’s really happening gives everyone (including you!) the power to respond with clarity instead of assumption.
Want to Go Deeper?
If your team is ready to build language and tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence, visit Emotions at Work to learn more about our 2-hour virtual workshop.