What a Nosebleed Taught Me About Finding Calm in Chaos

Last week was one of those weeks that reminded me just how chaotic life can get. My husband was traveling, which meant it was just me and the girls managing everything from school schedules to dance practice to the daily scramble of meals and homework.

When it’s only me at the helm, I know mornings can easily spiral into stress. So the night before one particularly packed day, I walked my youngest through a checklist: homework zipped in her backpack, train card tucked away, dance clothes ready to go.

Every time I listed something, she asked, “Now?” And I said, “Yes, now. In fact, I want you to do all of it now and then call me back when it’s done.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do these things — but earlier in the week, I had trusted her to do them “later.” And “later” never happened. And when things don’t get done ahead of time, they almost always show up as stress at the worst possible moment.

The next morning seemed to be going smoothly. We woke up early, headed down to breakfast, and then… chaos.

My youngest suddenly had a nosebleed.

She used to get them all the time, but it had been over a year since her last one. It wasn’t part of my mental “what could go wrong this morning” checklist. But there we were — tissues, drama, a little bit of panic, and a lot of blood.

Meanwhile, my oldest looked on, sighing and rolling her eyes as if to say, “Seriously? This is happening now?”

Thankfully, we managed to get it under control, send my youngest off with extra tissues, and still head out the door. We were only a few minutes behind schedule, which honestly felt like a miracle.

In the car, I turned to my youngest and said, “I’m so glad you packed everything last night.”

She quickly replied, “But it’s not my fault I had a nosebleed!”

Of course she was right. It wasn’t her fault. But that’s exactly the point. Unexpected things — the nosebleeds of life — are going to happen. They’re not anyone’s fault, but they will throw us off if we’re not prepared. When we take care of the things we can control, the things we can’t control don’t derail us quite as much.

Chaos Is Inevitable — Preparation Creates Calm

Chaos is everywhere

That morning with the nosebleed was a small but powerful reminder: chaos is part of life. We can’t predict it. We can’t prevent it. And we can’t blame ourselves or others when it shows up.

What we can do is reduce the impact of chaos by preparing where we have influence.

For me, that looks like:

• Making sure bags are packed and lunches are ready the night before.

• Finishing projects ahead of deadlines so I have space when emergencies pop up.

• Blocking time in my calendar for meals, rest, or recovery between back-to-back meetings.

• Building margin into busy weeks so I have space to think, regroup, or breathe.

  
  

None of these are glamorous strategies. They’re not exciting. Honestly, they’re kind of boring. But they’re the exact habits that create calm in the midst of chaos.

Because when the unexpected nosebleed, the urgent email, or the patient emergency shows up — and it always does — you won’t lose your footing.

The Bigger Picture for Healthcare Professionals

If you’re working in healthcare, you already know how unpredictable every day can be. Patients don’t follow the script. Systems fail. Priorities shift on a dime.

It’s easy to feel like we’re constantly bracing for the next crisis, with no room to breathe. And when that’s the daily norm, burnout isn’t far behind.

That’s why preparation and intentional routines matter so much. They’re not about perfection or control — they’re about creating a buffer.

When you’ve taken care of what’s predictable, you have more energy and resilience to handle what’s not. And that’s the difference between feeling constantly overwhelmed and being able to move through the chaos with steadiness.

Small Shifts That Create Calm

The lesson my youngest may not fully appreciate yet is one I keep returning to myself: calm doesn’t come from eliminating chaos. It comes from building systems and habits that give you space to respond to it differently.

Start small. Maybe it’s:

• Choosing one thing you can prepare the night before to make mornings smoother.

• Protecting 15 minutes in your calendar for a true lunch break.

• Identifying one recurring task you can automate or simplify.

Over time, these small steps add up. They create margin. They help you breathe. And they remind you that while chaos is inevitable, calm is still possible.

Want to Learn More?

If this story resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to my free on-demand masterclass: Simple Practices to Create Calm in a Demanding Career.

In it, I share practical, realistic strategies you can use right away to:

• Reduce stress, even when your work feels unpredictable.

• Protect your energy in the middle of demanding schedules.

• Build calm into your daily routine without adding more to your plate.

Because while we can’t prevent life’s nosebleeds, we can prepare ourselves to meet them with steadiness.

⭐️ Click here to watch the free masterclass today.