Some weeks ask us to juggle more than our system comfortably can. This has been one of those weeks for me – our 14-year-old pug has pneumonia (he’s on the mend!), which means sleep, capacity, and nervous system steadiness have been in short supply.
And like many of you have probably experienced, when capacity shrinks, prioritizing suddenly becomes real-time triage: work, plans, home tasks, messages, expectations… all asking for attention at once.
In our boundary-setting training and Trauma-Informed Leadership workshop, we often talk about a simple but powerful framework that helps bring clarity back into the picture.
The Glass vs. Plastic Balls Framework
Originally shared by author Nora Roberts, this metaphor helps us understand what can be dropped, what can wait, and what truly can’t be compromised.
Plastic balls
Tasks or commitments that can fall without shattering anything important. They might bounce. They can be picked up later. They might not need to be picked up at all.
Glass balls
The things that crack when dropped – the parts of life, work, health, and relationships that genuinely require our presence, care, or capacity right now.
When life gets full, the distinctions often become clearer:
- Sleep? Glass.
- A deadline with meaningful impact? Glass.
- Reorganizing the pantry? Plastic.
- Responding to every group chat message? Plastic.
But here’s the nuance most people miss.
Your Nervous System Determines What’s “Glass” and What’s “Plastic”
The “material” of a task changes based on your internal state.
- A coffee catch-up may be a glass ball when connection feels nourishing –
and totally plastic when your system is overwhelmed. - A work task may feel plastic on a grounded day –
then suddenly become glass when it’s tied to safety, stability, or belonging.
Your internal landscape shifts the weight of things.
And because of that, the best prioritizing tool isn’t intellectual –
it’s somatic.
A Simple Body-Led Prioritizing Practice
Here’s the practice I’ve been using all week, and the one I teach in workshops:
Imagine two scenarios:
- I’ve done the thing.
- I’ve not done the thing.
Then check in with your body:
- Does your system soften or tighten?
- Does your chest open or collapse slightly?
- Does it feel like relief, dread, disappointment, obligation, or a subtle lift?
- Is there a quiet “no, thank you”?
- Or a gentle yes?
Our bodies don’t lie.
They show us what’s glass today – and what’s plastic – long before our mind finishes debating it.
This isn’t about finding the “right” decision.
It’s about attuning to the one that honours your capacity, your nervous system, and what genuinely matters.
A Real-Life Example
My friend group meets on the first Wednesday of every month. I adore them and always look forward to catching up.
But last month, after a run of long days and short nights, I was depleted. As I showered and got ready – basically asleep on my feet – I found myself bargaining:
“Maybe I’ll only go for an hour.”
“Maybe I’ll grab something to go so I can leave early…”
The FOMO was real.
So I imagined sending a message saying, “I’m exhausted and need to bail tonight.”
Instantly, my whole body exhaled.
I pictured putting on my comfies and staying home, and the “decision” wasn’t a decision anymore – my body had already answered.
I sent the message.
I rested.
I had the evening I truly needed.
And coincidentally… today is the first Wednesday of the month again.
Will I be going tonight?
I’m not sure – but I’m not worried.
My body will let me know.
Why This Practice Feels So Foreign at First
Most of us weren’t raised – or rewarded – for listening to our bodies.
From school to workplaces to family systems, we’re taught to:
- push through
- be “resilient”
- stay productive
- ignore discomfort
- override our needs
- power past early signals of overwhelm
We’re conditioned to believe:
- being tired isn’t a reason to rest
- feeling overwhelmed isn’t a cue to slow down
- wanting space means we’re “difficult”
- our body’s cues are inconveniences, not information
So if tuning into your body feels faint, inconsistent, or unfamiliar… that’s not a personal failing.
That’s conditioning.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re learning a language you were never taught to speak.
The early signals might be subtle – a tiny exhale, a soft contraction, a micro-moment of ease.
You may wonder if you’re imagining it. That’s normal.
With gentle practice, the cues become clearer.
Trust builds.
Your body stops whispering and starts collaborating.
A Gentle Reminder for Heavy Weeks
If you’re juggling more than usual, here’s something to hold close:
Not everything needs to be held.
Not everything needs to be held by you.
And your body is already carrying the wisdom you need to choose.
Wishing you steadiness –
and permission to drop the plastic ones.
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