It’s officially dry air season here in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, and balancing a warm house without turning it into a desert is always a constant struggle. Too much heat, and all the moisture vanishes from the air.
Quick Question: Does anyone have a solution for getting everyone int he house to agree on the thermostat setting? I’ve heard thermostat debates are a leading cause of quarrels. If you know the secret, please share your wisdom!
On a side note, is 70 degrees too warm? Just trying to find out if I’m the problem.
In today’s newsletter, I’ll share how I’ve dealt with this challenge.

The Nosebleed
One of the first signs of dry air I notice is the burning sensation in my nostrils. It feels like climbing a mountain. The higher I go, the more uncomfortable the pressure becomes. That’s usually my signal to pull out the humidifier and restore some moisture to the air. While it helps, it doesn’t always solve the problem entirely.
Interestingly, running my virtual assistant business can feel like dealing with a nosebleed too. Not just in the dry winter months, but any time of year.
During one particularly challenging week, I experienced an actual “nosebleed”. It was a sharp, physical reminder of the immense pressure I was under.
I was burning the midnight oil, juggling late-night tasks, and pushing myself too hard. That moment made me realize I couldn’t keep going at the same pace. Unlike the dry air, there wasn’t a “humidifier” I could plug in to instantly fix the strain and stress. Plus, there was only so much coffee could do. I had to make intentional changes to regain my sanity.
Here are three steps that have helped me to prevent “nosebleeds”:
- Acknowledge the Warning Signs – I don’t ignore when I’m feeling stressed or fatigued. Mental fog is also another typical sign I’ve learned to recognize.
- Try A Different Approach – I’m more intentional about when I start and stop working. No more burning the midnight oil.
- Take One Step at a Time – Everything is not an emergency. Tasks can wait.
The Final Word:
Running a business makes you experience a lot of these “dry air season” moments that can make you feel like you’re climbing a mountain. I’ve learned to recognize the signs early and make the necessary adjustments. These adjustments have definitely helped me to breathe easier and take it one step at a time.
Chuckle of the day! 😂
Why did the thermostat go to therapy?
It couldn’t handle the pressure of always being stuck between hot and cold!
Pop-Up Roundtable Q&A | Friday, Jan. 10th
TIME: 11:00am -12:00 CST, 12pm EST, 9am PST, 10am MST

| Meet The Experts: Arlene Morgan: Digital Support Specialist Shamayne Brown: Virtual Assistant Dawn Hogan: Operations & Strategic Business Coach, Services |
| We’re diving into the top 3 must-know questions every business owner needs answered to level up in 2025. Get ready for real talk, fresh insights, and actionable tips from three powerhouse women! Stay tuned for more details—you won’t want to miss the registration of this free virtual event. Zoom link will be provided the day before the event. See you there! |

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Shamayne Brown is a virtual assistant and the founder of Camp Virtual Assistance.
She works with solo professionals and small business owners who are ready to invest in their business and need the support that she offers.
She specializes in creating email newsletters as well as other admin and creative design tasks.
Click here to connect on LinkedIn.
Click here to set up a discovery call.
