💔 Stuck in the Middle... The Guilt Spiral — And How to Break Free 🧯233

Understanding this will make the process so much better

Author

Brian Sacks
November 20, 2025

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📨 Subject: The Guilt Spiral — And How to Break Free 🧯

Stuck in the Middle News — Issue #233

Thursday, November 20, 2025

👋 Welcome, New Readers!

If you’re new here — welcome to the place where exhausted, overloaded adults finally get a voice.
We talk about caring for parents, raising kids, juggling a job, supporting a partner, and somehow trying to stay sane.

If you were forwarded this, reply SUBSCRIBE and you’ll be added.

🧠 Big Thought: The Guilt Spiral Is Real — And It’s Not Your Fault

Here’s the truth no one says out loud:

Guilt is the unofficial tax of the Sandwich Generation.

You feel guilty when you're with your parents because you're not with your kids.
You feel guilty when you're with your kids because you're not working.
You feel guilty when you're working because you're not helping your spouse.
And then — when you finally stop for a breath — you feel guilty for wanting a break.

This is not weakness.

This is physics.

You are being pulled in four directions at the same time.
The only unrealistic expectation is believing you should be able to do it all without breaking.

This week’s Big Thought:

Guilt is a signal, not a sentence.
It’s telling you something is overloaded, not that you are wrong or selfish.

Your job isn’t to eliminate guilt — it’s to put it in perspective so it stops running the show.

🧰 Money Moves: 4 Steps to Reduce Guilt By Reducing Pressure

Here are four real-world, zero-cost actions that lighten your load immediately:

  1. Rebuild your “must-do” list.
    Make a list of everything you feel guilty about.
    Then put an asterisk next to the items that are actually your responsibility — not others’ expectations.
    Free tool: https://todoist.com

  2. Set a “finish line” for caregiving each day.
    Not everything has to be done today.
    A fixed cutoff time reduces anxiety and guilt.

  3. Use a pre-written message to say no without guilt.
    Copy/paste this:
    “I want to help, but I’m at full capacity right now. Can we revisit this next week?”

  4. Automate one repeated task.
    Prescriptions, bill pay, grocery delivery — automation reduces both stress and guilt.
    Free automation overview: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-autopay-en-1869/

All links verified and 100% free.

🛠️ Tool of the Week: The “Self-Compassion Break” (Audio Guide)

Free guided audio that interrupts guilt, pressure, and overwhelm in under 5 minutes.

Completely free. No sign-up. Works on phone or desktop.

📰 Reads (All Free + No Paywalls — Verified Today)

All links tested and public.

🤝 Join the SKOOL COMMUNITY

A private space for people who are caring for parents, raising kids, trying to keep their marriage/relationship intact, and still attempting to have a life.

Daily conversations. Zero judgment.

💬 Connect With People Who Get It

Caregiving can feel isolating — and so can relationship stress.
Join our private Facebook group to talk to others who truly understand.

💬 Reply & Engage Prompt

What is the one thing you feel most guilty about right now — and what would it look like if you gave yourself permission to take a break from it?

Hit reply and tell me. I read every message.

↗️ Share the Relief

Know someone who’s juggling parents, kids, work, and a relationship?
Forward this to them — they deserve the support too.

💬 Connect With People Who Get It

Caregiving can feel isolating — and so can relationship stress.
Join our private Facebook group to talk to others who truly understand.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS YOU CAN READ IF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED WITH A PARENT OR OLDER RELATIVE

grab a copy here https://amzn.to/3QIhlx7

If you are in this situation I think you will enjoy it!

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Subscribe and listen in and tell your friends and if there is a topic you would like to see covered let me know at [email protected]

  

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