Journal · Reflective

When Everything Needed Attention at Once

A day where every hour demanded something different, and none of it waited

Summary
A cascade of appointments, interruptions, and unresolved problems—learning how quickly exhaustion builds when life refuses to slow down, and why knowing when to stop matters.
By A Work in Progress
Jan 7, 2026

A Morning That Didn't Slow Down

January 6, 2026 felt too busy from the moment it began.

I started the day with a cup of coffee and the usual school run—taking Isabella, Zion, and Joey to schol. By 10:00am, Branon had a dentist appointment, so the pace picked up quickly.

While getting in and out of the car, I slammed my fingers in the door hard enough that it genuinely felt broken. I shook it off, but the pain lingered. Brandon's appointment brought more news—he needs a root canal and was given a referral. I called the office immediately, but no one answered.

While we were still there waiting, Isabella's school called. Again. She needed to be picked up sick.

Too Many Appointmnts, Not Enough Time

I called Isabella's doctor and managed to get her an 11:45am appointment. As soon as Brandon's visit wrapped up, I rushed home to get her and then straight to the doctor—arriving only a few minutes late.

Kayla came with us.

The diagnosis was an ear infection, not surprising, but still another thing added to the list. Afterward, I dropped Kayla off at her own dentist appointment and then headed toward Eve's place.

We picked up Isabella's prescription and attempted to stop by the hospital to have my fingers checked—but there wasn't a single parking space available. With time already tight, we moved on.

Urgent Care wasn't much better. No X-ray technician available and too busy to see me in my short availability.

So once again, the problem remained unresolved.

Pushing Through Anyway

After dropping Eve off, I went home just long enough to switch gears again, I picked up Zion and Joey while my mother handled picking Kayla up from her appointment.

At that point, I was running on fumes.

I reached out to The Sister to see if she needed anything, and that turned into one of those moments where exhaustion leads to less-than-ideal decisions. I wasn't feeling great, mentally or physically, but I kept pushing—trying to be helpful, trying to keep everyone else comfortable.

In hindsight, I should've stopped sooner.

Thankfully, nothing went wrong—but it was a reminder that even good intentions need limits.

Finally Slowing Down

Later in the afternoon, I rested briefly at Eve's place before heading back home with Isabella in time for dinner. She still wasn't feeling well, but we made it back safely.

We ate. She was given food, and again, barely touched it.

By that point, the day had taken everything it was going to take from me.

I went to bed early.

Ending the Day

January 6 was one of those days where every hour demanded something different, and none of it waited its turn.

Appointments stacked. Plans changed. Problems unresolved. Energy ran out.

I didn't solve everything.
I didn't handle everything perfectly.

But I got everyone where they needed to be, made sure the kids were okay, and chose rest when I finally could.

Some days aren't about progress.

They're about surviving the schedule and knowing when it's time to stop.

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#caregiving #exhaustion #family dynamics #resilience #stress

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