Not Untouched, But Unbroken: Why We Need Internal Emergency Systems
Jun 19, 2025
Let me start with a simple metaphor.
If your house is on fire, it’s probably not the best time to rewire it—even if faulty wiring caused the blaze. That’s the time to call the fire department and deal with the wiring later, assuming anything is still standing.
Now imagine that you’re dialing 911, but instead of firefighters being dispatched, you get an automated message saying:
“Unfortunately, we don’t have an emergency response system set up yet. We will do our best to organize it at some point in the future. Apologies for the inconvenience!”
Sounds absurd, right?
And yet… that’s how a lot of us go through life. No inner emergency systems. No support crew. No preparation. Just hoping we’ll figure it out when it happens—and then paying a high price when we don’t.
The Cost of Not Being Ready
Life will challenge you. That’s a given.
Sometimes it’s something “negative,” like a crisis, an illness, a job loss, or a family emergency.
Other times it’s something “positive,” like a big project, travel, or an exciting life event.
But regardless of the vibe, these moments are high demand. They ask more from your body, your mind, your time, your energy.
And if you don’t have systems in place—physical, mental, logistical—you’ll pay for it later.
The Snow Shovel Test
Here’s a simple example. Imagine a snowstorm hits.
If you have a decent snow shovel, warm clothes, and a body that’s used to regular movement, you’re going to have a very different experience than someone who hasn’t moved much in months and has to clear their driveway with a rusty garden spade.
Being prepared doesn’t make the snowstorm go away. But it makes it manageable.
Renovation Week: A Real-Life Test
A couple of weeks ago, I renovated my daughter’s room.
I’m not talking HGTV magic—I mean hours of sanding, patching holes, lifting furniture, painting for 10 hours straight, and then lugging a 30-pound carpet cleaner across the floor. It was intense.
And here’s the thing: I was tired, of course. But I wasn’t broken. No injuries. No back pain. No strained shoulders. My body handled it.
Not because I’m some kind of superhero.
But because I train regularly. I strengthen my joints. I build muscle. I move in ways that support real life—not just gym life.
On a regular Tuesday, I’m not doing drywall—but I am doing the prep work that helped me survive a demanding week without falling apart.
When Systems Don’t Work
Now, before I start sounding smug, let me tell you what didn’t go well.
At the end of the first painting day, I felt like absolute crap.
Why? Because I forgot to drink water.
Ten hours of labor, zero hydration.
I had my gloves on. My hands were messy. And, well… ADHD hyperfocus is a hell of a drug. Once I’m in the zone, my brain doesn’t remind me to eat, drink, or take breaks.
Result: dehydration and a splitting headache.
So the next day, I brought a giant, neon water bottle with a straw into the room. Something I could see, grab quickly, and drink without taking my gloves off.
A tiny system. But it saved me.
What Counts as a System?
You don’t need anything fancy.
A system can be:
A workout routine that prepares your body for real-life challenges
A hydration strategy for intense work days
A supportive friend who reminds you to eat when you’re deep in a project
A mindfulness habit that helps you check in before spiraling into overwhelm
A note taped to your coffee machine that says: “Take your meds.”
It doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to be ready enough to support you when things go sideways.
When There Are No Systems at All
Sometimes, the structure isn’t there at all. No routine. No support. No pause button. And when life applies pressure—we break.
If the body breaks, it’s injury or illness.
If the mind breaks, it’s burnout, anxiety, depression… or worse.
I’ve been there.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I kept pushing. I overestimated my capacity. Ignored all the signs. Didn’t stop. Didn’t check in.
And eventually, something snapped.
I developed disordered eating.
Yes, me—a certified fitness nutritionist.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. But the lesson was clear: systems matter. And pushing through isn’t a personality trait—it’s a warning sign.
Life Doesn’t Ask for Permission
You don’t get to opt out of hard things.
Parenthood. Moving. Job transitions. Health crises. Global upheaval. They’re coming, whether we like it or not.
And how much we suffer, recover, or collapse depends on what kind of structure we’ve built before it all hits.
Not Untouched, But Unbroken
Let me be clear—I’m not saying that having systems means you’ll float through life without struggle.
Hard things will still be hard.
But you’ll be less likely to break. Or if you do break, you’ll be more likely to heal.
That’s what I help my clients with.
I don’t promise perfection or invincibility. I don’t sell hacks or willpower.
What I offer is a chance to build a life that can carry you—not just when things are smooth, but when they’re really, really not.
Let’s Talk About Your Systems
I’d love to hear from you:
What systems have you built that helped you survive something hard?
What’s one system you wish you had in place before the storm hit?
What part of your life needs better wiring or a better fire department?
Message me—your story matters.
📺 Watch the full YouTube episode here
Let’s stop hoping we’ll be okay “when the time comes.”
Let’s build the thing that makes us okay.
Not untouched.
But unbroken.
And strong enough to rebuild.