How I Discovered Life Systems (and Why They Changed Everything)

Spoiler: it started with a WTF moment in a chair and a brain that wouldn’t shut up.

When Everything Felt Like Too Much

You ever sit in complete silence and think, “What the actual fuck am I supposed to do with my life?”

Because yeah—same.

I was just sitting in my chair one day. No TV. No distractions. Just me, my thoughts, and the kind of exhaustion that hits you in your bones.

I wasn’t working. I wasn’t resting. I was just… floating in the middle of overwhelm.

I had just said goodbye to my dad, and I was still trying to figure out how to keep saying goodbye—because grief doesn’t work on a timeline. And on top of that, I had just been diagnosed with a chronic illness. So, hello to a new version of Michelle—one I didn’t ask for but desperately needed to understand.

Defeated, Drained, and Done

I felt defeated.

Like… really defeated.

I didn’t know if I should start my business or walk away from it.

I didn’t know if I should be a stay-at-home mom or try to make something of myself again.

All I knew was: where I live, I have to work. So I needed to figure shit out—fast.

That’s when the idea hit me. Like a little mental nudge that turned into a whole-ass download.

What If Systems Weren’t Just for Business?

Back in February 2022, I had this random thought:What if standard operating procedures weren’t just for corporations? What if we could use them in our personal lives too?

I started calling them personal SOPs, but it didn’t click with people the way I wanted it to. I ran a poll, tested the language, and that’s when the term Life Systems was born. And that hit home.

With my new diagnosis, I had to start taking care of myself. For real this time.

Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.You can’t drive on an empty tank.

And you definitely can’t keep pretending you’re fine when you’re not.

That was my wake-up call.

I needed support. And I needed it to come from something that actually worked for my life—not against it.

Household Harmony

The first Life System that saved me?

🧺 Household Harmony.

I used to be the “doer of all things” person. (still recovering 😅)

The don’t worry, I got it person.

The no, seriously, I’ll just handle it person.

But I couldn’t do it anymore.

So I started asking for help. Out loud. Clearly. Without guilt.

“Can you take out the trash today?”
“Can you vacuum for me?”
“Can you handle the dishes tonight?”

It was awkward at first. I was still learning how to ask.

But holy 💩, it was empowering.

I even started teaching my daughter how to help around the house (a little late to the game maybe, but we’re here now). She actually chose cleaning the bathroom over doing dishes—go figure.

And no, it’s not always smooth. She still avoids cleaning her room like it’s a haunted cave. But when I break it down into a simple ask—“Hey, can you pick this up today?”—she’s more likely to say yes.

That’s how it works in my family. Not with expectations or guilt-trips, but with direct, simple asks.

Start with One Ask, One System, One Shift

Look, asking for help isn’t always easy. Sometimes there’s pushback. Sometimes there are arguments. Sometimes you’ll feel like it’s not working.

But it’s not just about getting the trash taken out—it’s about teaching your people how to support you and showing them how to take care of themselves, too.

And the truth is, everything in life is a journey.

The only time there’s a destination is when you’re literally driving somewhere. Everything else? It’s just one big, messy ride.

So if life’s beautiful bitchiness is throwing things at you left and right, the best thing I ever did was build Life Systems that helped me navigate it.

And maybe that’s what you need too.

Ready to Give It a Try?

If you’re sitting in your own version of that chair—wondering what the hell to do next—start with one Life System. Just one. That’s all it takes to shift your chaos into calm.

🧡 Want help figuring out where to start?

Grab my free guide: Your First Life System – A Quick-Start Guide to Simplify Your Day. It’s the stepping stone that’ll help you feel more in control and less like you’re drowning in all the things.

Your First Life System: A Quick-Start Guide to Simplify Your Day

Buy Now

Or,

🛣️ Check out my Choose Your Own Adventure page, it helps you figure out what kind of support actually fits your life right now.