Sometimes the Cockroach Wins

It was one of those days.

I was running on fumes, low sleep, high stress, and a to-do list that felt longer than the interstate. I walked into a client’s building, made a beeline to the bathroom, and that’s when it happened.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a cockroach scurry behind the toilet.

Now, let me pause here.  If you're the kind of person who has sympathy for cockroaches… we may choose to agree to disagree on this one.

I am not that person.  I believe cockroaches are vile creatures who deserve to die swift and undignified deaths.

That said, I also hate being the one to do it. So on a normal day, I might sigh, grab a shoe, do the dreaded stomp, and try not to scream.

But on this day?

I locked eyes with the last place he’d been and calculated the cost, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, of entering into a full-blown search-and-destroy mission.

I then considered the courage it would take to risk using the restroom and being terrified it might crawl up the toilet bowl…

NOPE!  NOT happening!

So, I turned around and walked out. I left him there, free to scamper, plot, and terrorize the next unsuspecting victim.

Because on that particular day, I had nothing left to give.

The cockroach had won.

Here’s what hit me later: sometimes we push ourselves so hard to show up, lead well, and tackle everything in our path. But not every moment needs a valiant response.

Some days you roar like a lion.Some days you whisper, “Not today.”

That doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human.

Leadership doesn’t always look like bold moves and brilliant decisions.Sometimes it looks like knowing your limits.Sometimes it’s choosing not to engage in a moment that will drain you more than it serves anyone.

Sometimes it’s walking away from the metaphorical cockroach, and giving yourself permission to recover.

We talk a lot about boundaries with others, but this moment reminded me that the most important boundary might be with ourselves.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for what you didn’t do, let this be your reminder:

·  You’re allowed to be tired.

·  You’re allowed to pause.

·  You’re allowed to choose your battles.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is acknowledge your own capacity and protect it.

Even if that means leaving the cockroach for someone else.  (And yes, I did tell some it was there. 😊)

Reflection Questions

• Where in my life or leadership am I trying to "fight the cockroach" when I’m already at my limit?

• What would it look like to honor my bandwidth today?

• How can I give myself permission to not show up perfectly?

• Is there a decision or task I can let go of, just for now, to preserve my energy?

• What’s one way I can recharge without guilt?

Let’s Stay Connected

If you’ve ever had a “cockroach moment,” you’re in good company.  We all hit capacity sometimes. And we all deserve space to reset.

Because real leadership isn’t about crushing every challenge, it’s about knowing when to step back, breathe, and try again tomorrow.

You matter. Even when the cockroach wins. 💛For more leadership stories that blend humor, humanity, and a healthy dose of honesty, visit tessabrock.com.

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