We've all had the days, weeks, months, and seasons when it feels like challenges are pouring down like cats and dogs.
And why does it always seem to happen at the worst possible time?! It’s like the universe has a twisted sense of timing, right?
I wish I had a crystal ball to explain why that happens, but here’s what I do know is that I can count on stressors to show up in my life on the regular—oftentimes when there's already so much going on and oftentimes, in handfuls.
As a mom, a CEO, and someone who wears many hats, I don't have the margin to lose my sh!t when it all hits the fan.
Not even behind closed doors.
My family, clients, friends, and team rely on me, and it's on me to put my best mind forward for them—and equally importantly, for me.
My stress management was tested last week when:
- Flight issues delayed our return from a family trip by TWO days—solo parenting with my two kids (ages 9 and 11) in tow.
- We landed the morning of my daughter's birthday party.
- Our Wi-Fi was out, which turned into a week-long blackout.
-It was the week before school started back up, not to mention the hair and dentist appointments and back-to-school parties.
- Financial concerns flickered in the background.
- My kids were playing and bickering loudly no matter where we went (home, car, waiting room—you name it).
- The icing on the cake? I was preparing for my first-ever workshop on breaking the generational cycle of stress through life balance. (THE IRONY!)
But here's how I navigated this sh!t storm...with ease. Yes, you read that right - ease:
- I prayed—a lot.
- I turned to what clears my mind in a healthy way. For me, that’s running.
- I gave myself silence to listen to my thoughts, like turning the radio off when driving solo.
- I filtered every thought, word, and action through one question: Does this add to or drain my energy? If it drained me, I cut it immediately.
- I banned negative self-talk.
- I focused on what I could control—my thoughts and actions—not on what I couldn't (flights, Wi-Fi, etc.).
- I kept my sense of humor intact: "Oh look! Another challenge to rise above!" I'd tell myself, laughing and shaking my head to stay focused on what I needed to do.
- I closed my eyes and took deep breaths when I needed it, instead of scrolling on social—whether in the airport, picking up party balloons, in the waiting rooms, or before checking our bank accounts.
- I pushed my workshop out by a week.
-And because why not, we welcomed two new family members: sister hamsters named Waffles (named by me) and Pancakes.
The Jackie from two years ago would’ve crumbled under the pressure—snapping at my kiddos, leaning on unhealthy coping mechanisms, and dragging everyone else down with me.
But now, I’ve rewired my mind for productivity, health, and sustainable balance—even in the midst of chaos—just as I coach my clients to do. And soon, I’ll be teaching this in my workshop. So, when a life stressor pops up, no matter how big or small or when it occurs, it bounces off me, making me stronger and better—not stressed out, drained, or hurting those around me.
I used the same tools years ago when my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma the week before school let out for the summer and his employment contract ended unexpectedly.
I hope some of these tips help you the next time you find yourself in a sh!t storm. You’ve got this! It’s 100% possible—it just takes the right tools and practice.
Hugs and high fives,
Jackie Carl
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