How to Manage Mental Overwhelm as a Freelancer: The Meeting Table Exercise

Publication Date

June 21, 2024

Summary

The Meeting Table—a visualization technique that lets you sort through mental overwhelm by giving your inner voices a seat at the table

Step 1: Name Your Voices

Start by recognizing that not every thought in your head comes from the same “voice.” Some might be encouraging, others critical, some driven, some indulgent—and all of them are trying to help you in their own way.

Give them names and personalities. Here are some examples from my own freelancer brain:

Taylor – the CEO who’s always thinking about strategy
Angelica – the inner-teenager who wants chocolate and TikTok
Gina – the wellness worrier with a planner full of workouts
Katie – the accountant who’s stressed about money
Barbie – the hobbyist who wants to start 10 new creative projects
Sally – the diligent employee who’s feeling overbooked
Devrah – the inner critic who says you’re not good enough

Try naming your own mental cast. Bonus: it makes those chaotic thoughts a little easier to laugh at.

Step 2: Let Them Speak

Now that everyone’s at the table, give each voice the mic. Write down what each one is saying.

For example:

Taylor says: “We’re not working hard enough.”
Katie says: “We should be getting more clients and making more money!!”
Devrah says: “You suck, no one’s going to want to hire you.”
Barbie says: “Let’s make art! Let’s knit! Let’s bake bread!”
Gina says: “You need to exercise more and stop eating sugar.”
Sally says: “There’s too much on the calendar.”
Angelica says: “Screw all of this. Let’s binge Netflix and eat chocolate.”

The goal here isn’t to judge or fix—just observe and document.

Step 3: Ask What They Need

Here’s where the magic happens. Instead of letting those voices run wild, ask each one: “What do you need from me right now?”

You’ll be amazed at how simple some of their requests are:

Taylor (CEO) just needs to see a to-do list to feel grounded.
Katie (Accountant) wants to check in with the Freelance Writer’s Dashboard.
Sally (Employee) wants to rearrange your schedule to feel less pressure.
Devrah (Critic) needs to reread your client testimonials.
Barbie (Hobbyist) wants time blocked out for fun.
Angelica (Teenager) needs unscheduled chill time.
Gina (Wellness Guru) wants a walk or a stretch session with a friend.

Once you’ve asked and answered, build a mini to-do list based on what your voices need.

🧠 FAQ: The Meeting Table Mindset Tool

What is The Meeting Table?

It’s a mental visualization exercise that helps you identify, hear out, and respond to the different “voices” in your brain—especially when you’re overwhelmed.

Do I need to write everything down?

You don’t have to, but writing each voice’s thoughts helps with clarity. It turns mental noise into something tangible you can work with.

How often should I do this exercise?

Anytime you’re feeling scattered, self-critical, overstimulated, or unsure about what to do next. I use it weekly or whenever my brain feels particularly noisy.

Can I use this in therapy or coaching sessions?

Absolutely. It’s a great tool to bring to therapy or share with your coach—it helps externalize your inner world in a really approachable way.

What if my voices say mean things?

That’s totally normal. Even your critical voices are trying to protect you. Let them speak, and then offer reassurance and real solutions.

Looking for something else?

Cancellation Policies