When Overwhelm Hits Hard (and the Mouse Doesn’t Help)
A story about overwhelm, slow-building stress, and the small signs that finally break us open.
Four days, no new sightings; droppings or mice. Finally starting to feel comfortable in my own home again. And then…
WTF?!
Caught the little bastard BASE-jumping off my stove into the back vent like he paid rent.
The Quiet Build-Up of Overwhelm
There are days, weeks, months, when life just piles on. And this is one of those months.
It didn’t happen dramatically, not with one big crash. It’s like someone’s been stacking bricks on my chest—quietly, one by one. And today, I finally noticed I can’t breathe.
It didn’t start with the mice, but they seem to be a good focal point for the stress I’ve been keeping at bay for awhile now. So we’ll start there. But this is not a post about mice. Its a post about when life feels too heavy. Because today, it feels too heavy to me.
The first sighting was about 10 days ago. I quickly got in front of it. Cleaning, bringing in the exterminator, plugging an obvious hole. I really was feeling good about the results of my efforts…until yesterday.
Logically, I know there is a hole behind the stove and that the little critters are not living in my apartment, but in the building. They are only paying me a visit.
Stress doesn’t care about logic. It just wants a place to live rent-free in your gut, in your sleep, in your damn kitchen. So despite the deterrents I put in place and the logical knowledge that no mouse would want to come near my kitchen right now. I just can’t…
Life Piling On
Next? The business frustrations. A lead who seemed ready has gone quiet. Another has shown interest but isn’t taking action. My digital assets—lead magnets, blog posts, products—are met with silence. No hits, no nibbles, no momentum. The voices of doubt love this kind of day. They pipe up just as I’m trying to focus, whispering that maybe none of this is working. Again, logic says I’m laying a foundation so those who need me can find me. But logic and stress are archenemies and today, stress is winning.
This reminded me of something I wrote during another hard stretch…
Then there’s the housing limbo. The aging pet. The background hum of uncertainty. It’s not one thing. It’s everything, all at once. Not just physically, but emotionally. Spiritually. Existentially. It’s no wonder I don’t want to get out of bed.
And yet. I’m still here.
Still doing the work. Still taking steps, even when I’m not sure where they’ll lead. Because this isn’t the first hard stretch I’ve faced while building something. And I’ve learned that sometimes, just staying in motion is enough. Not pushing, not forcing—just gently continuing. I also know that isolating makes things worse. Connection and support always brings improvement.
One Small Step, Then Another
So here’s what I’m doing today:
I’m contacting my building to confirm the exterminator visit to finally seal the hole behind the stove
I’m showing up to a strategy conversation with someone who believes in me.
I’m reminding myself that I can close this loop with a client if I just push to get it over the finish line.
I’m considering changes to my outreach approach that are outside of my comfort-zone, but have been proven to propel business forward.
And I’m writing this. Not because it’s tidy or triumphant. But because it’s true. And if I’ve learned anything in this season of life, it’s that showing up truthfully matters. Lately, my Notes have centered around one word: support. And it’s time I say out loud…
“I need support”
Maybe you do too.
The Power of Gratitude
Long ago, I learned the power of gratitude. It’s a practice I can lean into when I think things are at their worst. To take the time to acknowledge all that is right in the world.
I’m not alone in the mouse situation. I live in a building that is proactive with pest control and an exterminator on contract. And I had a friend come help me de-mouse the living room. And it is still mouse free!
I have a professional support network. With a marketing strategist helping guide me, professional connections that freely share their advice, and people who believe in what I’m offering.
Friends are filling my calendar with celebration, laughter, and connection.
And let’s face it, if mice is my biggest problem, life is actually pretty good.
A friend is facing surgery for a broken bone. Perspective.
How You Can Help
If you or someone you know is starting a small business, I’d love to help. Whether it’s startup support through Thrive Hive, help evaluating bookkeeping needs, or smarter spending decisions to set your business up to thrive. Just one warm connection would make my day.
Learn more or reach out at…
Or DM me here
Because sometimes, the right kind of help—offered or received—makes all the difference.
De-mousing tips also welcomed!
—Vicki
(Still tired, but still showing up.)
PS – Still here? Here’s the photo I took this morning that I ran through Photoleap to create the story image. Figured you deserved the unfiltered version.
☕ Want to Support the Journey?
Align & Thrive is free to read. But if something here resonated, you can show your support (and raise my optimism) by buying me a coffee. Every cup fuels this mission—caffeine-wise and emotionally. 💛
📬 Subscribe & Join Me
This Substack is about all the ways I’m working to grow, learn, Align & Thrive.
There will be missteps.
There will be wins.
And life will keep throwing curveballs.
I used the Viral Content Coach to help get this out of my head and into the world. It didn’t save time—but it did help me write a sharper, more focused piece for you.
Oh. My. G-d Vicki! How in the world are you dealing with this?
Mouse is a menace 🤨🤨🤨.
Remembering the pied piper story, who by his piper used to drag out all the rats 🐀 from all the houses.
Perfect reasons to be overwhelmed