Entry #23 • March 24th, 2026

Coming Back After the Unraveling

It’s weird to write an entry after last week’s. That one was such a big emotional dump and release that I feel just…absolutely emptied. But it also didn’t feel right to send something that heavy and then just disappear. So here I am, back in your inbox again, by God’s grace.

Thank you to those of you who faithfully read. And to those of you who texted, replied by email, sent real mail, came by the store, offered solidarity, prayed with me, hugged me, and let me know that you see me…truly, just incredible kindness. I’m always struck by how many of you say you see yourselves in what I write—that it puts words to what you’ve been feeling too. There’s something really special about that kind of camaraderie.

This past week, I’m not gonna lie—it felt heavy. Just that constant weight of stress sitting on me. It’s a strange thing to wrestle with because this is not my baseline. I have so much more empathy now for those who live with chronic stress…I honestly can’t imagine carrying that as a constant.

I spent less time working this week and more time watching Netflix—Call the Midwife, to be exact. I just love that show. And what a way to cheer yourself up…watching babies be born 😍

I watched probably four episodes, which for me (a very sporadic Netflix watcher) is a lot.

Spoiler alert for season 12…which is from years ago, haha.

Ironically (heh...not), the very first episode I picked back up on—right where I had left off months ago—was one where Lucille is diagnosed with a nervous breakdown. I just kind of laughed…okay, God, I see You. And the remedy? Her husband sent her home to Jamaica to be with her family—the place she’d been so deeply homesick for. I see You again, God.

And it wasn’t just the show. Throughout the week, there were these “random” conversations—unexpected people sharing recent health struggles that had laid them flat out, and what it looked like to slowly climb back out of that place. Again, I found myself thinking…yes, God, I see.

It became more than clear, through all of that, that I needed to find a way to hit the brakes on everything in my life—to actually allow my body to settle.

And then today, Saturday, the rubber really met the road through a series of events. And I am sooooo relieved to say that…

I’m on my way to a Nervous System Reset.

That’s what I’m calling it. A trip away. I’ve booked an Airbnb—a cabin in the mountains—in about two weeks.

On the agenda for the solo trip?

• Nothing

Letting Myself Breathe Again

I could not be more relieved and excited all in one breath. It feels like the elephant is off my chest and I can breathe again. To have a few days where my soul can catch back up with my body…what an unspeakable relief.

As soon as I knew I was booking the stay, I walked across the street to my neighbors on Main—Board Fox Games—and bought myself a couple of 1,000-piece puzzles. I really enjoy doing a puzzle, but at this stage of life I don’t have the space to dedicate to an ongoing one in my house. It’d be a 987-piece puzzle real fast—and I know most all of you understand that. Probably 726 pieces before long.

I’m going to hole up in a cabin, get takeout—or maybe eat at a restaurant by myself—do puzzles, read, watch Netflix, journal, write, hike…maybe a horseback trail ride. All with the goal of letting my nervous system heal for a few days.

This just felt like the best option—to let it settle out in nature, in a quiet cabin, in solitude with my Lord. Much better than trying to heal it in a jail cell (I kid, I kid) or in a hospital room (the very bills that helped contribute to this overload…I don’t want more of them if I can help it 🙃).

And it’s not beyond me that I’m writing about getting away by myself to an audience primarily made up of moms with young children. I know the struggle. I know how incredibly impossible it can feel to get away and simply breathe. I remember that season.

My oldest is 20 now. For me, even a consistent Sunday coffee date by myself at Kiln didn’t happen until he was around 12 or 13.

But your season will change.

Some things get lighter. Some things get heavier. Every season has its ups and downs. No season is perfect—that’s just not how life works. The real work is learning to be content within each one.

And while this season, for me, has been suffocatingly heavy, I am so grateful that I’m in a stage where I can leave for a few days and the house will keep humming along. It’s made possible by older boys who can run things—and a husband who carries more of the weight than most people probably see. It took a lot of years to get here, but it is worth it.

And a quiet shout out to my mom for stepping in and filling the gaps while I’m gone.

Something I want to say clearly: I’m not naive to the fact that when I come back from this trip, all the same problems will still exist.

The goal of this trip isn’t for the problems to go away—or even to solve them. The goal is to step away from the weight of all the roles I carry: business owner, mom, wife, friend, church member, employer, hospital bill negotiator, household organizer…and on and on.

The goal is simply to “be” for a few days.

I’ve already made plans for how I’m going to lock down my phone—only what I need or what won’t add to the load: texts with select family members, phone calls (for emergencies), maps, Netflix, YouTube Music, camera/photos, and Google Docs so I can write if I want to.

And honestly, that already feels like relief.

God's Kindness in This

Man. God is so kind. The number of times—and the ways—He’s nudged me in this direction over the last couple of weeks is just jaw-dropping. And never once has He been harsh or shaming in it.

It reminds me of a verse He gave me years ago, when my business coach died unexpectedly:

That’s what this feels like. That He is gently leading me through this. He hasn’t forgotten me or left me by the wayside—He’s been right there all along.

It doesn’t mean I don’t have to do anything. I still have to do hard things. But He’s there.

My husband actually isn’t on this email list (boy is he missing out hahaha…he gets to put up with me 24/7—it’s probably a nice break for him not to be subjected to this weekly), but this past week I forwarded JM#22 to him. I told him I thought it was important for him to know how much I was struggling behind the scenes.

Today, when we were talking about me taking this trip away to recover, he shared a verse he had read about a week or so ago that he thought was relevant to where I’m at.

Ironically, I had read that same chapter right around the same time—and had even made a note next to it in my Bible. Funny how God does that. He gave it to me once, and then He gave it to me again through my husband. God’s kindness.

“This whole chapter feels like my current prayer right now, Oh God…hear my cries. Tarry not.”

Even in the hardships…God has dealt so bountifully with me. I would be remiss not to acknowledge that. He is so good to me. So kind. So caring. So faithful. What a beautiful truth.

And I don’t think I’m the exception in that.

Dear Reader, wherever you may be—in your struggles or your joys—please know that you are not alone. We are all walking this path of life together. I hope your eyes are turned to the Lord—the One who can bring true relief.

Til next time,

-Just Me[gan]

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