Today felt slow, soggy, and emotionally dense — not because of chaos, but because life itself felt heavy. Between caregiving, exhaustion, a FedEx package that refuses to leave Chicago, and Mercury still doing cartwheels in retrograde, my bandwidth hovered at “running on fumes.”

We kicked off day one of our annual vendor event (shoutout to Scentsy season), and even though I wasn’t feeling the spark I usually do, the night turned out better than expected. I talk through the emotional weight of this season, the financial pressures we’re working through, and the small pockets of optimism I’m trying to keep alive — from remote job possibilities to slow but steady progress on our Total Money Makeover.

Nothing dramatic today. Just honest. Just heavy. Just real.

🧭 In This Episode

• Starting the day tired and emotionally low
• A Scentsy shipment held hostage in Chicago
• Caregiving fatigue + mental load
• Vendor event kickoff
• Cold, rainy November vibes
• Total Money Makeover updates
• Remote job leads + cautious optimism
• Why I’m not built for open-office seating
• Just… life being life

💡 Key Takeaways

• Some days aren’t chaotic — they’re just heavy.
• Caregiving doesn’t pause for work, hobbies, or wellness routines.
• Retrograde chaos makes tech issues feel personal.
• You can love people and still feel overwhelmed by them.
• Hope can be small and quiet — a job lead, a warmer day, a plan.

⚠️ Content Note:

This diary includes themes of caregiver stress, emotional heaviness, tech frustration, financial anxiety, and burnout. No graphic content, but it’s an emotionally weighted entry.

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• 📺 Watch on YouTube: Uploads coming soon! [https://www.youtube.com/@HolderHausMedia]
• 💜 When I’m not podcasting, I’m also a Scentsy Consultant of 10+ years. If you’re into fragrance and cozy vibes, you can find my shop here: [https://sachasmells.com]

🏷️ Keywords / Tags

disaster diaries, high functioning disaster, caregiving stress, emotional heaviness, burnout, financial stress, Scentsy vendor life, shipping delays, Mercury retrograde issues, project manager job search, remote work, total money makeover, daily audio diary

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📌 Standard Disclaimer

This podcast reflects personal experiences and opinions and is for informational and peer-support purposes only. It is not medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to you.