Some days, it feels like the universe takes out a giant spoon and stirs everything around you into a chaotic soup, and today is one of those days. Chaos is everywhere—at work, in the news, in my inbox. There’s an endless swirl of meetings, last-minute decisions, and fires to put out. And in the middle of it, my brain feels like it’s doing the only reasonable thing: it’s melting.

We’re told all the time that chaos can be an opportunity. Pivot, they say! Learn to adapt and thrive in the storm. It’s a fun idea in theory—until you’re so tired that your eyes can barely stay open, and your head feels like it’s been on a spin cycle. In moments like this, finding that mythical “center” feels about as realistic as finding a unicorn riding a skateboard. But somehow, I’ve learned to do it.

The truth is, I’ve been in the chaos business for a while. Life is a constant balancing act between managing the shifting tides and holding onto some semblance of peace. It’s like trying to run a marathon while juggling flaming swords—impressive to outsiders, but downright exhausting on the inside. Yet, here’s the kicker: you still have to keep going. There’s no pause button.

When chaos hits, I’ve realized it’s not about finding a calm eye of the storm—it’s about being the calm within the storm.  Because, let’s face it, the chaos isn’t going anywhere. It’s not going to suddenly vanish just because I’m tired or my brain feels like mush. But I can control how I move through it.

In these moments of brain melt, when I can’t possibly pivot any more without doing mental gymnastics, I remind myself of this: storms don’t last forever. Sometimes, the best pivot you can make is just standing still for a moment and catching your breath.

There will always be chaos. There will always be things beyond our control. But as long as we keep showing up, however tired or overwhelmed, we’re still in the game.

So, here I am, exhausted and frazzled, but still standing in the center of my storm. Sometimes, that’s all you need to do—be present, breathe, and trust that, despite the chaos, you’re stronger than you think.

And hey, if all else fails, maybe tomorrow will be one of those elusive quiet days. Or maybe I’ll just take a nap.