Grateful problem: after hours outside the bike rack; I opened a benefits portal after silence on a big deliverable and the vibe around credit felt different. My calendar is full of 'alignment' blocks and somehow none of them answer basic questions. I want to be respectful and not spread rumors, but the uncertainty is messing with focus. If you’ve been through this before, what did you wish you did earlier? Drop advice, reality checks, or even just commiseration.