Nugget’s New Year Message: If All You Did Was Survive 2025… That’s Enough
From Heather (Traveling 911 Dispatcher) and Nugget the Skunk
Hey friend,
It’s me—Nugget.
Your quiet companion through the chaos. Your emotional support skunk. Your reminder that you’re not alone.
As 2026 begins, the world is shouting: “New year, new goals, new energy!” But if you're like me and Heather, the truth might feel a little different.
Because for some of us—surviving 2025 was the victory.
💬 From Heather: A Real-Life Year of Transition
This past year wasn’t about chasing big dreams.
It was about keeping my head above water.
I worked in new agencies, adjusted to different teams, learned new systems, and navigated unfamiliar protocols—all while doing one of the most emotionally demanding jobs out there.
I packed up, moved around, and wore the hat of the traveling 911 dispatcher—the steady voice behind the scenes, no matter where I landed.
And on top of all that?
I focused on getting caught up on bills. Quiet wins. Private victories. The kind no one sees on social media.
But those wins matter.
🖤 So if you’re like me—if 2025 didn’t look flashy, but it looked like persistence...
If all you did was:
Keep going, even when you didn’t feel like it
Show up, even when you were exhausted
Cry in private and still clock in
Hug your ESA a little tighter after shift
Then let me say this clearly:
You did enough. You are enough.
🧠 Mental Wellness Still Comes First
Whether you're new in dispatch, deep into your career, or floating from agency to agency like I’ve been—mental wellness isn't optional. It’s essential.
This year, I’m walking into 2026 with this mindset:
Grace over guilt
Progress over perfection
Support over silence
And I’m keeping Nugget right by my side as a reminder.
💛 5 Gentle Nuggets of Wisdom for 2026
1. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s a reset.
When you’re switching shifts, states, and sleep schedules like I have, rest becomes survival.
2. It’s okay to not be okay.
Some days I’ve held it together on the radio and fallen apart in the car. That doesn’t make me weak. That makes me human.
3. Your ESA matters.
Nugget has been with me through it all. Their calm presence after hard calls reminds me: I'm safe now.
4. Small wins deserve celebration.
Paying down a bill. Getting enough sleep. Leaving work on time. These are victories. Let’s stop acting like they aren’t.
5. You deserve support, too.
You're not “just the dispatcher.” You're a person. Your mental health is worth fighting for.
🐾 A New Year, A Softer Start
This year, I’m not setting impossible goals. I’m not “recreating” myself.
I’m:
Breathing deeper
Resting harder
Trusting more
Letting Nugget remind me that just being is enough
And if I can do that, so can you.
💙 From Me and Nugget to You
If 2025 left you tired, uncertain, or worn down—
Welcome to 2026. You made it.
Whether you’re holding it all together or just barely hanging on—
We see you. We’re with you.
This year isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about caring for yourself.
With furry hugs and quiet strength,
Heather & Nugget the Skunk 🦨💙