No One Told Me This Part Would Be So Hard…

If you’ve ever felt like you were spinning all the plates and still falling behind, this is for you.

February always starts off big in our house—both of my daughters have birthdays just five days apart! Every year, it’s a whirlwind of celebration, cake, and reminiscing about the days they were born. I love celebrating them, reflecting on how much they’ve grown, and just soaking in the joy of who they are.

But this time of year also reminds me of a season of my life that was one of the hardest…

My girls are one year and five days apart—“Irish twins,” as people like to say. When they were babies, I was in the thick of it—navigating newborn life while also caring for a one-year-old. 

At the same time, I was working. Not just any job—I was starting a ministry from the ground up to serve and support teenage moms and dads. It was my passion. I loved it. I loved all of the roles I carried—mom, wife, leader, mentor. And it was still so hard.

We had moved the year before, so my friendships weren’t fully formed yet. Getting out of the house felt impossible between nap schedules, feedings, and just the sheer exhaustion of it all. 

It felt like everyone else had their village, their support system, their people to lean on… and I was just over here trying to survive, spinning all the plates on my own.

Even though I have the most amazing, involved husband, I still felt overwhelmed and alone. And then, one year after my second was born, I experienced extreme postpartum depression. The weight of everything became unbearable. I loved my girls, I loved my work, I loved my husband—but I felt like I was drowning.

No matter how much I tried to keep everything together, I was struggling in a way I couldn’t just push through.

The Hidden Struggle of “Doing It All”

Maybe you know that feeling—the kind where you’re doing all the things, managing all the roles, and still feeling like it’s not enough. Like you should be able to handle it, but inside, you’re running on fumes, wondering how long you can keep going like this.

Maybe for you, it’s not motherhood, but it’s your job pulling you in every direction. Maybe you’re the one everyone depends on—at work, at home, in your relationships—and there’s no space to just be. Maybe you’re caring for an aging parent, juggling deadlines, navigating a life transition, or just trying to keep up with everything life is throwing at you.

I see you, friend. And if I could sit across from you with a warm cup of coffee in hand, I’d tell you what I wish I had known back then: You don’t have to do this alone.

The Power of Asking for Help

I waited too long to ask for help. I told myself that I should be able to figure it out on my own. That I just needed to push through. But the truth? Letting people into my overwhelm—being honest about how much I was struggling—was the first step toward relief.

So, if you’re feeling the weight of everything right now, can I gently encourage you?

👉 Ask for help. Even if it feels uncomfortable.
👉 Say yes when someone offers. Even if you feel like you “shouldn’t” need it.
👉 Let people into your hard places. You don’t have to do this alone.

A Small Step You Can Take Today

And if you don’t know where to start, here’s something small: Take a deep breath and text one person. It could be a simple, “Hey, I could really use some help today,” or “Can we talk? I just need to process things out loud.” You’d be surprised how many people want to show up for you if they just knew how.

But if reading this has you thinking, “I don’t even know where to begin,” or “I need someone to help me figure out how to make this all work,”—I’d love to help.

In my coaching, I work with busy women (just like you) who are feeling stretched thin and stuck in survival mode. Together, we create simple routines, habits, and systems that take the pressure off—so you can stop spinning your wheels and actually feel like you again.

If that sounds like what you need, let’s talk. Just hit reply or click here to schedule a free 30-minute chat. No pressure—just a conversation about where you are and what might help.

You’re not failing. You’re not weak for needing support. You are human. And you deserve to be supported, too.

Sending you a big hug and a whole lot of encouragement today. You’re doing better than you think.

With you and for you,
Tami

Enneagram Insights: Navigating Overwhelm by Type

If you're familiar with the Enneagram, you know that we all have unique ways of processing stress and overwhelm. Here's a quick breakdown of how each Enneagram type might respond to feeling stretched thin:

Type 1 (The Perfectionist)
You feel like you should be able to handle it all, and when things feel out of control, frustration rises.
Growth step: Give yourself grace. Good enough is enough. Ask, “What’s the kindest thing I can do for myself right now?”

Type 2 (The Helper)
You’re so busy taking care of everyone else that you ignore your own exhaustion.
Growth step: Let yourself receive. Asking for help isn’t a burden—it allows others to love you the way you love them.

Type 3 (The Achiever)
You push through, staying productive even when you’re running on empty. You don’t want to look like you’re struggling.
Growth step: Rest is productive. Pause and ask, “Am I doing this because I want to—or because I feel like I have to?”

Type 4 (The Individualist)
Overwhelm can feel deeply personal, like no one truly understands your struggle.
Growth step: You are not alone. Name your emotions, then take one small, grounding action to reconnect to the present moment.

Type 5 (The Investigator)
When life feels chaotic, you withdraw, trying to conserve energy and figure things out alone.
Growth step: Let trusted people in. You don’t have to have it all processed before you share. Connection can help lighten the load.

Type 6 (The Loyalist)
Anxiety kicks into high gear as your mind races through every possible worst-case scenario.
Growth step: Focus on what is true right now. You are more capable than your fear tells you. Find one stabilizing step forward.

Type 7 (The Enthusiast)
You distract yourself with plans, fun, or staying busy to avoid facing hard emotions.
Growth step: Slow down and check in. What are you really feeling? Sitting with discomfort for a moment can bring more freedom than avoiding it.

Type 8 (The Challenger)
You push through, determined to stay strong and independent, not wanting to feel vulnerable.
Growth step: Strength isn’t just doing it alone—it’s knowing when to let people in. Vulnerability is a sign of confidence, not weakness.

Type 9 (The Peacemaker)
You shut down, feeling paralyzed by the overwhelm, unsure where to start.
Growth step: Take one small step. Movement brings clarity. You don’t have to solve everything at once—just begin.