The Fog of Functioning

Have you ever looked around your life and thought, “I should be okay… so why do I feel so numb?”

Science Insight:

When our nervous system is overwhelmed for too long, we often don’t shut down—we freeze in place. It’s called functional freeze. You keep going. You respond to emails. You get the kids to school. You smile when needed. But inside? You’re not really there.

It’s the survival response we rarely talk about—not fight, not flight, but freeze.This is your body protecting you from burnout by creating emotional distance—like fog rolling in over the parts of you that used to feel alive. You’re not collapsed on the floor, but you’re disconnected. Numb. On autopilot.

And the hardest part?

Because you’re still moving, no one sees you’re stuck.

Coaching Insight:

If you’re in this place, please hear this: you’re not broken. You’re in a season of survival. And survival isn’t failure—it’s wisdom. But now that you see it, you don’t have to stay there. The path back to yourself begins with noticing the fog… and being willing to walk through it.

Reflection Practice:

Where in your life are you going through the motions? Over the next week or two, set a gentle alarm once a day—just one minute to pause.When it goes off, ask yourself:

• Am I present—or just performing?

• What part of me is frozen right now—my mind, my body, my emotions?

• What do I need to feel a little more alive, safe, or grounded?

Then write down one small thing you notice. This isn’t about fixing. It’s about building self-command through awareness. One breath. One check-in. One degree closer to yourself.