Micro-wedding, Microsoft, and Micro-breakdowns: My Week 5 Internship Recap

I skipped last week’s update.... let’s just call it a patriotic pause in honor of the Fourth of July. I was also in Mexico for a family wedding (cue the mariachi music and unlimited tacos), so things were a bit hectic. But now I’m back and officially wrapping up Week 5 of my internship, which means two words: midpoint presentation (which happened 30-minutes before posting this article... it went well 😁 ). I also have my formal mid-point review with my manager on Monday, so if you see me over-caffeinated and whispering to myself, I am not going crazy... I am just trying to rehearse. 

So far, my experience at Microsoft has been incredible. I’m doing work that genuinely interests me and keeps me on my toes. That said, I’d be lying if I said I’m not feeling the pressure.

This week I had a moment (let’s call it a mid-internship existential crisis) when it hit me that I only have 3–4 real weeks left before it’s full-blown final presentation season. Naturally, I decided this was the perfect time to also plan a micro wedding on the side. Because why not add a little chaos to the calendar?

In true recovering try-hard Stanford student fashion, I’m still convinced I can do everything, all at once. Yes, the wedding is very small, but it is not stress-free. And since I’m already an anxious person by default… let’s just say the vibes have been mildly spicy.

But I’ve learned a few things over the years about how to manage stress before it turns into burnout. These aren't groundbreaking, new strategies, and they won’t appear in a Harvard Business Review article anytime soon, but they work for me. Maybe they'll help you, too.

1. Make a Plan (Even if Life Doesn’t Follow It)

People love to say “plans never go the way you expect.” And yes, that’s true, but having a roadmap helps me stay grounded. Without one, I spiral faster than a grocery cart with a broken wheel.

I like breaking down big tasks into small, bite-sized daily goals that give me those sweet little hits of dopamine when I check them off. Waking up ... Check, checking email... Check, mid-day crying session... Check.

And shoutout to my coworker who introduced me to Microsoft Planner (this is a shameless plug, but genuinely helpful). It’s been a game-changer for organizing my internship work and mapping out what’s left.

2. Clean Space = Calm Mind

Here’s something I believe deeply: your environment reflects your mental state. When my apartment is a mess, my brain feels like a tangled pair of earbuds from 2009. I simply cannot focus in chaos.

That said… keeping things clean is so much harder now that I live with my partner. It’s not just my mess anymore, it’s ours. And while we’ve made a great team, maintaining a clean home while both working full-time and planning a wedding is… a lot.

Let me also pause here to say this: I recognize that even having the time and energy to clean is a privilege. If you’re balancing multiple jobs, kids, caregiving, health issues or all of the above, this advice might sound laughable. I see that. But if you’re in a place where you’re struggling with clutter and it’s draining your energy, here are a few strategies that work for me:

• Batch cooking to limit kitchen chaos. I cook heavy meals 2–3 times per week. When I cook, I go all out and make enough to cover multiple meals. That way, I’m not trashing the kitchen every night. 
• Prepping breakfast in advance. My partner and I usually do smoothies or cereal with fruit, so I pre-bag ingredients for the week. Boom! less chopping, more chilling. 
• Cleaning sprints. I set a 30–60 minute timer and clean until the buzzer goes off. Whatever gets done, gets done. The key here is not to let cleaning bleed into your whole evening. Some days it’s just wiping the counters. Other days it’s finally tackling the monster that is the junk drawer. 

And here’s something I never thought I’d say…

3. Outsourcing Isn’t Lazy—It’s Liberating

Growing up in a Latino household, I was taught that a clean home was a reflection of your worth, especially as a woman. Hiring someone to help was considered indulgent, lazy, and even shameful. For years, I internalized that.

But life (and therapy) has taught me this: rest is not a reward. It’s a necessity.

Now, my partner and I hire a cleaning service every 2–3 weeks to help with deep cleaning. It allows us to breathe, spend our weekends not scrubbing baseboards, and focus on things that actually refill our tanks, like rest, connection, and wedding planning without tears.

I know this isn’t feasible for everyone, and I say this with full awareness that this is a privilege. But if you’ve ever felt guilty for asking for help, or if you’re stuck in a cultural mindset that says “you have to do it all” this is your permission slip to let some of that go.

4. Recharge Your Way (No Hiking Required)

Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. You don’t need a silent retreat in the woods or a Peloton subscription (though if you have either, I support you).

What works for me?

• Doing my nails.
• Ordering Chinese takeout.
• Watching And Just Like That (yes, I know it’s a hot mess, but I love it anyway).
• Trying to win a stuffed animal at the Redmond Derby Days happening outside my apartment this weekend.

The point is: find your happy place and visit often. Especially when your to-do list starts looking like a CVS receipt.

5. Don’t Go It Alone

Burnout thrives in isolation. Whether it's your family, partner, coworkers, or your group chat that’s 90% memes and 10% emotional support.... lean on your people.

And if you’re still building your support system? Try joining a club, going to local events, chatting with coworkers, or saying hi to someone at the gym. And yes, therapy counts too., big time.

This week, I finally told my partner I was overwhelmed with wedding planning and work. His response? “Tell me what I can take off your plate.” I nearly cried. Letting someone step in isn’t weakness, but rather it’s wisdom.

These are some of the ways I’m managing stress and trying to stay sane during this whirlwind of a summer. I’m loving my time in Seattle, learning so much from the brilliant interns around me, and working with an amazing team. It’s wild to think I only have six weeks left, but I’m grateful for every single one.

How do you stay grounded and avoid burnout? Drop your favorite strategies in the comments, I’d love to learn from you.

We’re all figuring it out. One checklist, one takeout meal, and one very clean kitchen at a time.