Today was long—not in hours, but in emotional weight. I talk through the heaviness of caregiving, a FedEx package still held hostage in Chicago, feeling unexpectedly down before a vendor event I normally love, and the weird burnout that comes from a life season that just… won’t let up.

I also share updates on our Total Money Makeover journey, a pivot we had to make for today’s Scentsy event, why remote roles feel like the only viable path forward, and how cautiously optimistic I am about finding a job that aligns with my reality.

Quiet day. Heavy heart. Still grateful. Still here.

• Froggy voice returns… again 😑
• Package STILL stuck in Chicago
• First night of the vendor event + scrambling
• Emotional heaviness and lack of excitement this year
• Caregiving exhaustion + the mental toll
• Total Money Makeover revelations
• Starting to find new job leads
• Remote roles vs. downtown office chaos
• Feeling cautiously optimistic (but also nervous)

• Some seasons feel heavy for no specific reason — that’s still valid.
• Caregiving fatigue can quietly drain excitement from even your favorite traditions.
• Financial stress + job loss + caretaking is a uniquely brutal combo.
• Small progress (like applying for jobs or budgeting wins) still counts.
• You can feel grateful and exhausted at the same time.

This entry includes discussion of caregiver fatigue, emotional heaviness, financial stress, low mood, and job-search anxiety. Nothing graphic. Just tender, honest, end-of-November tired vibes.

• 🎙 Guest inquiries: bookings [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 📬 Get in touch: heythere [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 🎙 More episodes & info: [https://life-in-the-bari-lane.captivate.fm/]
• 🎙 Discover more podcasts by Holder Haus Media: [https://holder-haus-media.captivate.fm/]
• 📱 Follow on IG: @lifeinthebarilane [https://www.instagram.com/lifeinthebarilane/]
• 📺 Watch on YouTube: Uploads coming soon! [https://www.youtube.com/@HolderHausMedia]
• 💜 When I’m not podcasting, I’m also a Scentsy Consultant of 10+ years. If you’re into fragrance and cozy vibes, you can find my shop here: [https://sachasmells.com]

daily dump, bariatric community, Life in the Bari Lane, caregiver fatigue, emotional heaviness, burnout, Scentsy vendor event, shipping delays, FedEx Chicago delay, financial stress, total money makeover, budgeting journey, EveryDollar app, remote job search, project manager roles, introvert office fatigue, open office stress, job loss recovery, emotional resilience, vulnerable storytelling

👉 Make sure you’re subscribed to Life in the Bari Lane so you don’t miss my next dump.

This podcast is based on personal experience and is intended for information, education, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a medical professional, therapist, or financial advisor. Always seek the guidance of your qualified health, wellness, or financial professional regarding any medical condition, treatment, or decision. Listener discretion...

I missed my Miracle Morning again (big womp-womp energy), my voice is still froggy, my Scentsy order is being held hostage in Chicago, and my brain is doing mental gymnastics about caregiving, finances, and job searching.

Today I talk about the emotional load of trying to take care of my mom, the frustration of wanting someone to choose better for themselves, a Dateline rabbit hole on domestic violence, why scared people stay, starting Financial Peace University with one-third of our former income, and interviewing for jobs while navigating this wild season.

Short, candid, and very “I’m doing my best but also… wow.”

• Missing the Miracle Morning… again
• Feeling froggy + fatigued but pushing through
• Scentsy vendor event stress + a Chicago shipment in limbo
• The mental drain of caregiving and acceptance
• Dateline deep dive: domestic violence, fear, and complexity
• Dancing with the dog instead of spiraling
• Reading The Total Money Makeover + starting Financial Peace University
• Navigating the loss of 2/3 of household income
• A hopeful job posting + LinkedIn recruiting breadcrumbs

• Someone else’s self-neglect isn’t yours to fix — even when it hurts.
• Caregiving isn’t just actions; it’s mental load, emotional load, and grief.
• Domestic violence dynamics are far more complex than outsiders assume.
• Financial stress reshapes identity, energy, and hope — but learning helps.
• Even on bad days, tiny joys (a dancing dog, a new book insight, a job lead) matter.

This daily entry includes vulnerable discussion of caregiving fatigue, family strain, domestic violence, financial stress, and ongoing illness/fatigue. Nothing graphic, but emotionally heavy at points. Listen gently if you’re already feeling tender.

• 🎙 Guest inquiries: bookings [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 📬 Get in touch: heythere [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 🎙 More episodes & info: [https://life-in-the-bari-lane.captivate.fm/]
• 🎙 Discover more podcasts by Holder Haus Media: [https://holder-haus-media.captivate.fm/]
• 📱 Follow on IG: @lifeinthebarilane [https://www.instagram.com/lifeinthebarilane/]
• 📺 Watch on YouTube: Uploads coming soon! [https://www.youtube.com/@HolderHausMedia]
• 💜 When I’m not podcasting, I’m also a Scentsy Consultant of 10+ years. If you’re into fragrance and cozy vibes, you can find my shop here: [https://sachasmells.com]

daily dump, bariatric life, Life in the Bari Lane, caregiving stress, emotional exhaustion, family caregiving, miracle morning fail, Scentsy vendor event, shipping delays, Chicago warehouse issues, froggy voice fatigue, domestic violence reflections, trauma patterns, budgeting, Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University, EveryDollar app, emergency fund, financial stress, job search anxiety, LinkedIn recruiter outreach, podcasting life, vulnerability, honest audio diary

👉 Make sure you’re subscribed to Life in the Bari Lane so you don’t miss my next dump.

This podcast is based on...

Hey Bari Besties 💜

Today’s dump is a mix of tech frustration, family dynamics, and some pretty heavy reflection on justice and how we treat people.

Sacha starts with a “womp-womp” confession: she forgot her Miracle Morning for the first time this month and blames at least some of the chaos on Mercury being in retrograde. Riverside keeps eating recordings, tech is glitching, and the patience tank is low.

She also shares about her interview with Gail Showalter, a Texas storyteller with a powerful life journey and founder of Single Moms Empowered, a nonprofit that helps single moms upskill and get credentials so they can support their families. That sparks a reflection on how little structured support exists for single dads, and how complicated it is for any single parent to juggle childcare, sick days, and work without a net.

From there, Sacha circles back to yesterday’s episode: finally talking directly with her aunt about why she’s been distant, and realizing how hard it is for her aunt to be around Sacha’s mom in her current state. That conversation brings up old wounds about not belonging in her family, being written off as “not wanting to work,” and how much those narratives still sting when she’s actively trying to find work while caregiving.

• The emotional cost of hosting The High-Functioning Disaster and holding space for guests’ trauma
• The shortage of accessible mental health care and how rare weekly therapy really is
• Losing her excellent insurance at the end of the month, stepping down to lackluster coverage, and what that means for care
• Why she calls this country a “high-functioning disaster”
• Her frustration with how immigration, race, and violence show up in policy, rhetoric, and real cases — including a local shooting where a woman was killed after going to the wrong house for a cleaning job

It’s part diary, part rant, part processing-out-loud — and all brutally honest.

Links you might hear referenced:

• Scentsy link: sachasmells.com
• Venmo: venmo.com/sachasmells
• Single Moms Empowered (mentioned nonprofit)
• The High-Functioning Disaster podcast

• Missing a routine day (like Miracle Morning) doesn’t erase the streak; perfection isn’t required.
• Tech issues (especially with recording platforms) can be emotionally brutal when you’re creating daily content.
• Nonprofits like Single Moms Empowered can be lifelines for single moms seeking education and better jobs.
• Single dads often fall through the cracks of support systems, even though they face many of the same challenges.
• Family estrangement and feeling excluded can echo old wounds and shape how you see yourself.
• Holding space for trauma stories (as a podcast host or helper) is meaningful but energetically draining.
• Access to mental health care is limited — not just by cost, but by the sheer lack of providers and appointment availability.
• The U.S. healthcare and insurance system often fails people who most need stability.
• Anti-immigrant sentiment, racial bias, and “stand your ground” narratives can combine into deadly outcomes.
• It’s possible to be politically “purple” — leaning left but still holding nuance — and still be deeply disturbed by how people are treated.

This episode includes discussion of family estrangement, painful comments from relatives, caregiving stress, job loss anxiety, and feeling like you do not belong in your own family.

• 🎙 Guest inquiries: bookings [at] holderhausmedia [dot] com
• 📬 Get in touch: heythere [at] holderhausmedia [dot]...