It all started with a simple text about tuna salad: “How long is this good in the fridge?” But when my sister Peregrine asked, “Are you okay?”—I realized I wasn’t. Six months earlier, I’d lost my job and moved into her apartment, promising it was temporary. She never pressured me. Just quietly supported me while I drifted. One night, she caught me picking at expired tuna and gently said, “You don’t have to punish yourself with that.” Later that night, I finally admitted, “I don’t know how to start over.” She took my hand and said, “Then we start small.”

We made a list: update resume, shower daily, apply for jobs. Slowly, I gained momentum. I landed an interview, and with her help, I got the job. We celebrated with sushi—no more tuna salad. Then I discovered she’d been covering everything—bills, rent, food—quietly drowning in debt. We made a new list. Budgeted. Took side gigs. Paid off every cent.

When we finally celebrated being debt-free, a neighbor showed up needing help. Peregrine took him in without hesitation. Watching her give, even when she had little, inspired me. Eventually, she lost her job too. I repeated her words: “Let’s start small.” We built her list. She cried, struggled—but landed a better job in the end. Our apartment became more than a lifeline—it became a home. One day, she made tuna salad again and joked, “I’ll finish it before day three.” I smiled, knowing we’d come full circle.

It wasn’t just about the food. It was about learning to speak up, to rebuild, and to start small—together.So how long does tuna salad last?
Three days. Maybe five.
But don’t wait that long to check in—especially on yourself.