When Small Things Feel Like Big Monsters

I’ve often found myself caught in a strange mental loop—one where small, simple tasks take on a monstrous shape. Suddenly, the tiniest things feel enormous, overwhelming, and nearly impossible to face.

Let me give you an example: Cleaning the bathroom.

For context, my husband and I live in a very small house by choice. It fits our values and our season of life. This sweet little house comes with one very small bathroom. And when I say small, I mean you practically need to turn sideways just to squeeze around the sink.

To be fair, my husband now handles cleaning the bathroom (bless that man), but for years, it was my job. And honestly? It’s not a big deal. Ten minutes, tops—unless you’re scrubbing grout with a toothbrush. It’s mildly annoying because of the tight quarters, but it’s certainly not hard.

So why, every single time, did I treat this ten-minute task like it was climbing Everest?

Here’s the pattern:

I’d write “Clean bathroom” on my to-do list. Then, like clockwork, I’d start the dance of procrastination. I’d avoid it, delay it, distract myself. Suddenly, I’d decide I didn’t have time to clean it—this, of course, after spending 30 minutes watching baby goat videos on Instagram.

My brain would go into full theater production mode: creating dramatic lighting, a fog machine, and a booming voiceover to make this one task feel gigantic. I could suddenly find time to reorganize the linen closet, repaint the hallway, or make a spontaneous trip to HomeGoods—but not clean that bathroom.

It’s like my brain would take a flashlight and shine it right onto the tiniest speck, projecting it on the wall like a horror movie monster. It was never the task itself that was difficult. It was my perception of it. My mind was spinning stories, and I was buying every ticket to the show.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

When our brains spotlight a small task and cast a massive shadow, it triggers our nervous system. We don’t know the difference between a real threat and a simple inconvenience. That’s when procrastination kicks in—not because we’re lazy, but because we’re anxious.

Procrastination is often a symptom of unacknowledged or unmanaged anxiety.

When we feel overwhelmed, we seek comfort. We self-soothe with scrolling, snacking, or suddenly redecorating the living room. The “monster” grows, and the task keeps getting pushed further away.

The shame that follows? That’s another trick of the brain. We beat ourselves up, asking, Why can’t I just do this simple thing? But shame never inspires action—it only keeps us stuck, and it actually makes the monster grow.

Instead of shame, we need curiosity. We need to pause and ask:

• What am I really feeling about this task?

• Is there a fear underneath this avoidance?

• What small step can I take right now?

  
  

When we bring awareness to the pattern, we stop feeding the monster.

Journal Prompts:

1. What’s a small task in your life right now that feels like a giant monster?

2. What emotions or thoughts come up when you think about completing it?

3. When have you noticed yourself procrastinating, and what were you doing instead?

4. How do you typically soothe yourself when you’re overwhelmed?

5. What would it feel like to approach this task with kindness and curiosity instead of judgment?

You are not broken for procrastinating. You are not lazy. You are human—with a beautifully complex brain trying to protect you, even when it gets a little overdramatic. But you can interrupt the pattern. You can remind yourself that the task is small, your strength is big, and you are in control of your narrative.

If you’re tired of being stuck in these patterns and ready to step into more empowered living, I’d love to support you. My one-on-one Empowerment Sessions are designed to help you break free from shame, identify what’s holding you back, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

👉 Click here to book a session and take the next step toward freedom and wholeness.

You’ve got this. And I’ve got your back.

Sending Love, Carey