Today’s Disaster Diary is brought to you by fatigue, froggy voice vibes, caregiving burnout, and a Scentsy shipment held hostage in Chicago. I missed my Miracle Morning again, tried to keep fourteen mental browser tabs open, and spent way too much energy wrestling with the reality that I cannot force my mom to care about her own health.

I talk through the emotional exhaustion of watching someone choose decline, the internal tug-of-war between control and acceptance, and why “trying to will someone into wanting better for themselves” is a special kind of heartbreak.

Also on deck: Dateline theories, real questions about why people stay in abusive relationships, a dog who dances like she’s auditioning for Broadway, Financial Peace University panic, and the chaos of surviving on one-third of our former income.

Short(-ish), raw, and very on brand for a High-Functioning Disaster.

🧭 In This Episode

• Missing the Miracle Morning (again)
• A Scentsy order stuck in Chicago
• Caregiving frustration and the limits of control
• Dateline: murder, manipulation, and too many questions
• Domestic violence reflections
• Editing wins + dog dance intermission
• Starting Financial Peace University while broke
• Job-hunting in a season that makes no sense

💡 Key Takeaways

• You can support someone, but you can’t choose for them — even when you’re watching them spiral.
• Emotional labor is a productivity killer, and sometimes the day is “good enough” simply because you survived it.
• Domestic violence is layered, terrifying, and far more complex than outsiders assume.
• Financial stress reshapes everything — goals, routines, survival strategies, and identity.
• Hope lives in small pockets: a helpful book, a dog being ridiculous, or the possibility of a job lead landing at the right time.

⚠️ Content Note:

This diary includes vulnerable discussion of caregiver fatigue, family conflict, domestic violence, and financial stress. Nothing graphic, but emotionally heavy in sections. Listen with care if you’re in a tender place.

✨ Connect with The High-Functioning Disaster:

• 🎙 Guest inquiries: bookings [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 📬 Get in touch: heythere [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 🎙 More episodes & info: [https://the-high-functioning-disaster.captivate.fm/]
• 🎙 Discover more podcasts by Holder Haus Media: [https://holder-haus-media.captivate.fm/]
• 📱 Follow on IG: @thehighfunctioningdisaster [https://instagram.com/thehighfunctioningdisaster]
• 📺 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

high functioning disaster, caregiving stress, emotional fatigue, family tension, Scentsy vendor life, shipping delays, domestic violence questions, vulnerability, burnout, financial peace university, job search stress, emotional load, daily audio journal, personal growth through chaos

👉 Make sure you’re subscribed to The High-Functioning Disaster so you don’t miss this next entry.

📌 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.