In the past 14 years I’ve: Hustled my face off as a new business owner (slash circus performer) escaping my corporate job. I found my sweet spot in San Diego as I hyperfocused on growth (my email list hit 22k holy moly). Then I let my undiagnosed ADHD take over, said yes to every opportunity, produced every idea I had (mostly alone). And finally I burned out like a champ. First place with honors, don’t collect $100, go straight to your parents house and stay there for two years.

That was in 2023.

Today I’m back in San Diego with my pup and partner and vowing to never work myself into the ground again. 

The short simple answer for how  I’m doing that is: habits and setting boundaries with myself.

The tough part is sticking to it even when I don’t want to (ADHD is wildly unhelpful) and remembering it’s okay to go slow when I have the motivation, ideas, and energy to push forward.

After hustling through my 20s and 30s, spiraling into burnout, along with a late-ADHD diagnosis, my business in 2026 HAS to run differently. 

I literally spent two years in my parents guest room, watching everything on every streaming platform, recovering from my own life. I like to say if you don’t take a break, a break will take you because it absolutely will and recovery will take longer than you think.

Since coming back to San Diego last October I’ve been intensely paying attention to how my brain and body work in relation to running my business. 

One thing became clear - I cannot work during my luteal phase.

I have zero drive to work. My ability to focus enough to edit blog posts whittles to nothing. I stare at the screen wondering if the post I’ve almost finished is actually garbage. Being perceived on social media feels

Have you watched House of Stassi? It’s a reality show on Hulu featuring the life, friends, and family of Stassi Schroeder which you may know from Vanderpump Rules.

During the first episode of her new show, Stassi hosts a panel at an event by Alex Cooper, host of the wildly popular Call Her Daddy podcast. 

Meeting before the event the two women hug and the first words out of Stassi’s mouth are:

“You have to tell me what part of your life is suffering. I know part of your life is suffering. I’m a horrible friend, shit sister, husband wishes I had sex more.”

She’s been dying to know if Cooper, the best selling author, podcaster, Youtube show host, owner of the Unwell brand, and star of her own show Call Her Alex, is also struggling as her career continues to soar.

If your business is feeling more overwhelming than exciting, this is the post for you. Working from home, building your own business is supposed to an adventure. Freedom to be creative, work with who YOU want, wherever and whenever you want!

But year after year solopreneurs come to me with a pile of notes, an endless to-do list, multiple calendars, with client, admin, and personal tasks all needing attention. They’re so overwhelmed. They have no idea where to start. It all feels important and urgent. 

Here are the seven things I recommend starting with to begin the process of de-stressing your business.

No. 1 - Turn off notifications: This is something I did years ago, the first time I came to San Diego on vacation. I’d been working for myself for a year and it was the first time I went completely offline.

I sat down today to MAKE A SURVEY for my audience but then I opened my inbox for a password and here’s what I did instead:

I noticed that I had an email from one of the companies I’m an affiliate for. I needed to update my affiliate link for a new 30 day promotion.

So I opened my Squarespace to update my website’s resources page and remembered I wanted to update my homepage photo. Tested multiple photos, decided I didn’t like any of them and put back the original.