Join host Anna McLaughlin in this heartfelt conversation with Joy Johnson, founder of The Joyful Fit Life and host of The Journey to Becoming Podcast. As we enter the busiest season of the year, this episode is a timely invitation to pause, breathe, and choose being over doing.

Joy and Anna explore the hidden costs of over-functioning, the power of emotional health, and how to create a "to-be list" instead of just another to-do list. With vulnerability and wisdom, they share personal stories of loss, healing, and the transformative freedom that comes from laying down the burdens we were never meant to carry.

If you're feeling the weight of the holidays approaching—juggling expectations, managing relationships, and trying to do it all—this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. You'll discover practical strategies for pre-deciding your priorities, having honest conversations, and making room for Emmanuel, God with us, this Christmas season.

Key Points

• Creating a To-Be List vs. a To-Do List

• The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

• Over-Functioning as Emotional Masking

• Transgenerational Trauma and Emotional Health

• The Difference Between Emotional and Mental Health

• Pre-Deciding Your Holiday Season

• The Gift of Honest Conversations

• The Lie That "It Only Hurts Me"

• Making Room for Emmanuel

• The Question That Changes Everything

Scriptures Mentioned

• Matthew 11:28–30 (The Message)

• John 15 – Abiding in Christ, pruning, remaining in Him

• Romans 12 – Offering ourselves as living sacrifices

• Out of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks – Principle from Scripture

Books & Resources Mentioned

"The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life" by Geri Scazzero - https://a.co/d/iTXRjvD

• Joy credits this book with changing her life by giving her language for unhealthy emotional patterns

• Addresses issues like creating false narratives, over-functioning, and people-pleasing

The 5 AM Club (Referenced/Critiqued) - https://a.co/d/99MBRTI

Discussion about the pressure to wake up at 5am and how it's become another "should" rather than a personal choice

• Reminder that what works in one season may not work in another

Love Languages Resources

• The Love Languages Quiz - https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

Ready to get unstuck and start living out your God-given purpose and dreams?

Join Joy for a FREE Live Workshop designed to help women of faith move from overwhelm to clarity and take practical steps toward the abundant life God created for them.

Register here:https://www.thejourneytobecomingpod.com/shop/becomingher2025

Connect with Joy Johnson

• Website & Podcast: https://www.thejourneytobecomingpod.com/

• Community: The Joyful Fit Life : https://joyful-fit-life.mn.co/

Be a Guest on the Show

Want to be a guest on Overwhelmed to Overcomer? Send Anna McLaughlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/overwhelmedtoovercomer

Free Resource: Thrive Through the Holidays The holidays shouldn't just happen to you. Take a moment to cast vision for a season that reflects your family's values and makes room for Emmanuel — God with us.

[Click here to get your free guide]

Let's Keep in Touch!

IG: @‌sheconsidersafield

Ready to dive deeper into recovery and faith? Click here for your free guide and to join my e-mail list: https://subscribepage.io/overwhelmed_to_overcomer_welcome

If you're craving some rest and renewal, why not escape to Just Like Paradise—our serene vacation rental on Oak Island? Rentals at our Beach House are currently 20% off, and our house is better than ever after coming under new management. ➡️ Book your stay here: https://justlikeparadiseoki.com

The show notes above may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Please contact me with questions.The show notes above may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Please contact me with questions.

MUSIC CREDITS

Theme music: Brave New World

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Artist: Fantoms

Inspiring Hopeful

Audio source: Jamendo

Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich

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