You’re Not Broken, You’re Just Full
Why some people who ‘Have It All’ are exhausted – and what to do about It

On paper, she had everything: a high-powered job, a great salary, a strong team who respected her, a healthy, loving family, and even a beautiful home and a good holiday lined up.
But when she walked through the door at the end of her working day, she was completely done.  Emotionally flat, mentally fried and no energy. Her mind is still racing with tasks, deadlines, and unfinished business.

She was constantly “on”—and yet, it felt like she was never truly present. This is a pattern I see time and time again in coaching. People who’ve worked hard to build successful, meaningful lives—but quietly find themselves running on empty.  They’re full - but not fulfilled.  Tired - but unable to switch off.

And deep down, they know it’s not sustainable.

This is the “why” behind what I do.    Because it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Turning Point: One Minute at a Time

The secret isn’t about abandoning your goals or reinventing your life.

It’s about reclaiming your energy and boundaries and resetting your relationship with time—often in surprisingly small ways.

When this particular client came to me, she wasn’t looking for a career change or a promotion. She just wanted to feel good again. To enjoy her life without it draining her from the inside out.

So, we started with something simple:

Two 1-minute “Close the Files” breathing practices each day - short, guided moments to reset, using one of four suggestions I gave her.

No incense.  No sitting cross-legged.  Just 60 seconds of conscious awareness. A pause. A breath. A reset.

She began with two one-minute practices a day, five days a week. Over time, she started to feel the difference. Her nervous system calmed. Her thinking softened. Her mind began working with her, not against her.  Then came the next step:

She added a third 1-minute practice, two or three days a week.  Over time, she became more protective of her time and energy - no more evening calls. She stopped jumping in to solve everyone else’s problems and began delegating more at work.  She moved from 'reacting' to 'responding'.  

Gradually, another shift emerged.

I encouraged her to spend 15 minutes each evening after work doing something just for herself. Something that felt good.

She hesitated - she didn’t know what to do. But then came the tiny acts that started to add up:

Sorting out that one drawer that had been bothering her.

Putting on a face mask.

Going for a walk.

Reading something because it interested her.  Or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea, doing nothing but sipping.

No multitasking. No performance.  Just time for herself and what she wanted.  

She started to really look forward to this time and overtime expanded it!  

Real Change Doesn’t Always Look Dramatic

These weren’t life-overhauling actions.

But together, they changed everything.

Her energy returned.

Her focus sharpened.

She became more present - not only with her family or at work, but with herself.

She still had the same job. The same responsibilities. But her experience of life had shifted.

It wasn’t because she ran away from her life. - it was because she reclaimed her time and energy,  And in doing so, she remembered what it felt like to enjoy her days again, instead of just getting through them.  After a few months, she started having more interests and hobbies.  Her mind wasn't full of only work problems.   ... She now spends time on things she loves doing every week.  She exercises more.  She takes care of her health.  She credits the biggest part of her transformation to her one-minute practices.    I have seen this many times.  

One year on, she had a very different experience of life. Our conversations are much different - more future-oriented. She is excited. She is thriving on all levels.  

Her present and future are bright!

A Gentle Invitation

If any part of this story feels familiar to you, you’re not alone. You’re not failing.

You may just be full in all the wrong ways.

Start with one minute. Focus on your breath.  Close the open files in your head.

Put your phone down.

Say no to one thing.

Say yes to something small that feels good.

That’s where the shift begins.

Not with more. But with less.

Not with hustle. But with presence.

You don’t need to change your whole life.

Just how you live it.

One moment at a time.

And if you’d like structured support to help you do that - I'm here.

I offer 1:1 coaching to empower you to reset your patterns and create more space for the life you want to live.

No pressure. Just real conversations, personalised tools, and support to help you feel good from the inside out.

If you're curious, reach out.  It might just be the minute that changes things for you.   Contact me at: hello@calodagh.com