A Series of Unfortunate (Very Relatable) Events

*Written by a human, not AI*

It’s 3 PM. I haven’t eaten lunch—but I did have a panic attack.

Let me walk you through how I got here, because I have a feeling I’m not the only one who’s had a day like this and I want to share how I came out on the other side better for it.

I made the mistake of checking my phone which was filled with news about disturbing global news, and before I even got out of bed, I could feel heaviness settle in.

Then I got a message from the rescue I volunteer for. They needed help transporting dogs, so I loaded up my car with crates and headed to Louisville. That’s where I met a gorgeous purebred Doberman we had recently adopted out… who was now being returned.

She looked so different. When we adopted her out, she was healthy. Today, she was severely underweight, covered in ticks, and clearly terrified of people. She was supposed to be safe, but wasn't. 

On the drive home - going about 80 mph - I found a live tick crawling on my neck. Picture someone who has literally been to therapy for her fear of bugs (maybe another newsletter? Ha!) flailing around on the highway. That was me. Truly just grateful I didn’t swerve into the median.

When I got home, I emptied everything out of my car and went to a car wash to vacuum it out… only to find the vacuum was broken.

At this point, it’s 3 PM and I haven’t eaten, so I go to Jimmy John’s. Closed. Permanently.

I decide the universe is clearly directing me home to eat the lonely salad sitting in my fridge. But first - a shower. Because… ticks. And that’s where it hit. A full-on panic attack.

If you’ve never had one, I’m genuinely glad. They’re scary. You can't catch your breath and your vision blurs and your thoughts are racing. It feels like what I imagine dying might feel like.

But here’s the part I want you to hear: I could feel it coming.

The few hours leading up to it, I noticed the buildup. And because I’ve experienced this before, I knew - this is a wave. Once it arrives, there's no point in fighting it. Let it crash down, then get your bearings afterwards.

In that moment, my mind was racing. Anger about what happened to that dog. Fear over the state of the world. I was irritated and slightly defeated by the little things throughout my day that didn’t go as planned.

Individually, none of those things would have caused a panic attack. But stacked together? Unprocessed? It became too much. If you’ve ever had one of those days where nothing is completely catastrophic but everything together feels overwhelming, you know exactly what I mean.

So here’s what helped me move through it:

1. I put my hand on my heart and told myself I was OK. Then I grounded myself by naming three things I could feel, three things I could see, and three things I could hear. It brought me out of my head and back into my body.
2. I let myself feel what I was feeling. Not judging it. Not trying to rush past it. Just acknowledging - this is a lot right now.
3. I turned on a short guided meditation and focused on my breathing. Nothing fancy - just something to help me quickly regulate my nervous system.
4. I reflected on what triggered me. Every single one of those stressors had something in common: I felt out of control. And when I feel out of control, that’s when I tend to spiral.
5. I gently reframed what I could. I can’t control other people’s actions - whether that’s global events or how someone treats an animal. But I can choose how I respond. I can offer care, attention, and love where I do have influence. Even the smaller frustrations like the broken vacuum or closed restaurant - these redirected me home, where I could process instead of pushing through.
6. Eventually, not in the moment, but afterward, I try to find a little gratitude. Not for the panic attack itself, but for what it reveals. These moments usually point to something inside me that needs attention.

I don’t have a perfect ending for this. And honestly, it has nothing to do with money like this newsletter typically promises.

The truth is, this is the first time I’ve been able to sit down and write in months because I’ve been slowly working my way out of what I can only describe as “freeze” mode. IYKYK. It’s paralyzing internally, while everything on the outside appears fine.

But I also know I’m not the only one feeling on edge lately. And I didn’t want anyone reading this who’s experiencing something similar to feel alone. Nervous system regulation has genuinely changed my life for the better. It’s what helps me get through moments like this. Even when my body is convinced I’m not okay.

If you’re in it too, you’re not alone. And I hope something here helps you breathe just a little easier today, despite whatever stressors you're facing.