Had a meltdown? Me too

Image shows a large black-and-white dog laying in grass next to a seated white human wearing green hoodie and teal "dog mom" cap. The two smile as they lock eyes. Sunshine adorns yellow and pink blooms on bushes in the background.

Hey there,

The other day I was working at my desk when I glanced at the time – 2:48pm. My body immediately felt hot and urgency rushed up my spine as I started to panic.

I wasn’t quite finished with prepping for the client I would see at 4pm. But I’d lost track of time and still needed to eat lunch, prep dinner, and walk with Muggins.

Overwhelm consumed me as I realized there wasn’t enough time to do it all.

A few years ago, something like this would have sent me into a full-blown meltdown, after which I would have collapsed in an all-consuming sense of shame - for having struggled in the first place, plus for (probably) startling Muggins with my outburst.

I’m not gonna lie – I still had a meltdown.

But something was different this time.

Instead of struggling alone and judging myself afterward, I recognized that I needed support and I used co-regulation to get it!

Here’s what that looked like:

I felt the rush of heat and urgency (Step 1 – feel your feelings).

Then, I got up from my computer and texted my partner Tom to let him know that I couldn’t make dinner, and that I felt overwhelmed and guilty about this (Step 2 – express your feelings to someone).

Finally, I ate lunch and did some sniffing games with Muggins in our backyard (Step 3 – care for your feelings with someone).

Showing up for myself like this felt incredible – though it was still messy and a bit hectic - but the magic of co-regulation is in what happened after…

After I texted Tom, his empathy quieted my overwhelm and his encouragement helped me realize that we could eat leftovers for dinner.

After I was present with Muggins, I realized they didn’t need a walk – sniffing games were totally enough!

After I reached out to others for support - instead of falsely believing I should be able to handle things on my own – I ended up having the time to do everything that needed to be done.

I ate lunch (even if it was 3:00 lol).

I attended to Muggins’s needs.

I even had time to throw something together for dinner.

If 2026 (already) has you feeling completely fried, with meltdowns and shame spirals cued and imminent – you’re not a failure.

This world is stacked against our sensitive nervous systems, and co-regulation is how we’re going to find ease, steadiness, and connection.

Not sure where to start with Co-Regulation?

No worries! You don’t have to figure it out alone. We can practice together.

Ways to Work with Me

Meet the chaos of sensory overload with curiosity and courage, and reshape it into luscious, vibrant moments with your dog.

Build connection, ease, and mutual understanding with your dog.

Reconnect with yourself, your dog, and your deepest sense of peace, one small moment at a time.

Say “yes” to meaningful activities with your dog, on your own terms.

Co-Regulation Tip

Feel it, express it, then give your nervous system something yummy.

Before the end of this week, the US Senate will be voting on a bill that includes additional Homeland Security funding for ICE. Whatever feelings you have in response to the atrocities committed by this organization are valid.

By expressing your feelings to your elected officials, you can make a difference. You can find your senators and scripts for expressing how you feel on a variety of topics here.

After expressing your feelings, do something nourishing for your nervous system. Whether that means snuggling in bed with your dog, watching a show cozied up in your softest fleece, or indulging in the most scrumptious safe food you can find, leaning into some yum will help your nervous system settle so you can keep moving through your day.

Together, with each other and with our dogs, we’ve got this!

Thank you so much for being here.

Please use the code COLLAB to get 10% off any of my offers.

Many thanks for reading this - I look forward to collaborating with you!

In warmth and light,

~ Sharon ~