Moms Solo Beach Trip

Hey Friends! I’m back with a short blog and a vlog. Last weekend I went on a solo trip to St. Simon’s Island. This was my first trip completely alone….No hubby, no kiddo, no friends, no coworkers….just me. Yep, I’m 35 and this was my first vacation without a single friend or family member. You might be thinking I’m late to this “solo vacay” thing but I beg to differ. I’m not late. I’m right on time.

Throughout the course of 2020 and actually, the last few years I’ve been overwhelmed, anxious, and in a constant state of “busy.” I’m always surrounded by people. I’m around people at home, at work, and in my business. I’ve been wanting time alone for a while but always felt “bad,” “wrong,” “guilty,” and a little “selfish” for desiring to chill out and rest without having to take care of anyone else or do anything else but focus on me.

As I look back over those feelings, I know that those negative words do not have value and are untrue. There isn’t anything wrong or bad about wanting to be alone or rest for a few days. I’m constantly telling my yoga students, friends, and mentees about the importance of self-care and rest. I believe in walking the talk. I can’t guide other people to find their greatness or to prioritize their wellness if I am not doing the same.

In 2020, my hubby asked me what I desired for Christmas and I immediately thought, “I want a weekend trip by myself.” I thought this but answered, “I don’t know.” I said IDK because I was scared of hurting his feelings and having him think less of me (stupid thoughts, I know). He repeatedly asked me what I wanted, and I just kept blowing him off. The reality is, there isn’t anything I need outside of my peace of mind. Each time he asked, the only thing that came to mind was a weekend of rest.

After about 6 weeks of my hubby asking what I wanted for Christmas I finally told him. Was he disappointed, sad, or angry? No. He said, “Okay babe, you deserve it. You work hard and support our finally; you deserve time for you. Where do you want to go?” I was quiet for a moment and then sad, I want to go to The Getaway House. He said okay and did some research on reserving it. 

A few weeks later, my hubby came back to me and said, he didn’t feel comfortable with me going to the woods by myself. Insert eye roll here as I’m listening. My response was I can be alone in the woods and handle myself. He said that I didn’t know how to use a compass, my cell phone might lose service, and I could get lost hiking in the woods. I listened and acknowledged his concerns.

My spouse wanted me to have a safe weekend alone, so I said that I understood his fears and therefore I was open to other locations. Hubby ultimately reserved the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort in St. Simons Island. Best idea ever! I love the beach and l love quiet time.

I spent 3 nights alone and chilled out. My trip consisted of yoga, meditation, cardio, good eats, relaxing on the beach, a massage, and rest. At the end of the trip, I told Daniel I wanted the exact same gift for Christmas 2021. He laughed and said okay.

I made a short vlog about the trip. Tap the link below to view. If you’re a busy woman or mom and desire some time alone, I recommend taking a 3- or 4-day trip to reset, regroup, and rest your mind and body.

Moms Solo Weekend Beach Vlog

Do You Need A Personal Sabbatical? Do You Need To Rest?

This summer I took a “mini personal sabbatical”. If you’re not quite sure what a sabbatical is, let me you. In the traditional since, a sabbatical is when a person takes an extended period of time away from work (1 year+) with paid leave (sometimes unpaid).  Sabbatical’s are well known in academia. Tenured professors in large institutions or who complete a lot of research take time away from the university with approval for their leadership.

Here’s the truth: I haven’t worked in academia for 20 years, nor am I published researcher. I’m a clinician and young professor, with ideas and a drive to expand beyond the limits of the classroom, and teach the importance of holistic and collaborative care to my students.

I’ve been teaching a few years now; but as you know, in addition to working in academia, I’m a nurse practitioner, an entrepreneur and most importantly a wife and a mom. I wear a lot of hats; and I do a lot of things. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed managing it all. 

Since I begin teaching, I have worked year-round; I have taught spring, summer, and fall and also worked my NP job year-round. Towards the end of the spring 2020 semester faculty were contacted about teaching in the summer. I initially responded that I was available and willing to teach.

BUT Friend let me tell you……after I hit submit on that e-mail, I felt a heaviness in my spirit. I kept thinking to myself, “Steph you’re doing too much, COVID-19 is rampant, your business has taken a huge hit (negatively), and your husband and daughter need you.” After about 5 days of poor sleep habits and constantly having this conversation with myself, I talked with my spouse and said, “I don’t want to teach this summer, I need a break.” He said he understood, and it was fine with him.

I took another couple of days to think about it and e-mailed my leadership that I wanted to withdraw my ability to teach courses during summer 2020. I didn’t know where I was going to make up my salary, but I knew that God would provide. I knew that I had to protect my peace. I had to advocate for myself, just as I advocate for my patients and my students. Advocating for me, was relaxing, breathing, practicing restorative yoga, diving deep into my meditation practice and self-study.

I took 3 months off from teaching and poured my time and energy into resting, connecting with my husband, and pivoting my business. I was able to work 2-3 days a week at my practice and did not have any concerns about my income.  My spirit was restored; I was able to contribute to my family, and able to support my business.

Are you tired? Are you stressed out? Are you overwhelmed? Do you need to rest? Are you clueless on what it means to rest and restore?

If you answered yes to at least 1 of those questions, it is time to refill your cup. Maybe, you can’t, take a mini personal sabbatical or a long professional sabbatical; but what you can do is learn to relax and restore.

Join me for Resilient Moms: Self-Care Series 

Resilient Moms is a 4 week livestream group relaxation series where you will learn the foundations of deep stretching through yin yoga and learn to rest through restorative yoga and meditation. Now is the time to:

Breathe

Destress &

Relax

Here’s the deal:

You are powerful and resilient. Friend it is time to step into your power and join in this 4-week series where you will focus on your own self-care and have space to breathe.

You will receive weekly guides and access to a private Facebook group for support and encouragement to commit to your self-care journey. If you miss a week don’t worry, you will receive a link with the recorded session.

Dates: Sunday 5PM-6:15PM, 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27

Investment: $95

Use discount code “resilient” for 20% off this series.

If you’re not a mom but need to rest and restore you can join as well.

You deserve rest. You deserve peace of mind. You deserve to relax. Be A Yes to your own self-care and join me in the practice of rest and resiliency.

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SELF CARE: I Converted My Laundry Room into My Zen Den

Hey Fam!

I’m a wife, working mom, and small business owner. I pour my time and energy into other people every day—my family, my patients, my students, and my yoga clients. When I get home from a long day I want to chill out and do nothing. Sound familiar? Do you also make time for everyone else but don’t have time for you?

 Well fam, let me tell you—in my house everyone has a space to relax and enjoy; princess has a play room (it used to be my reading nook) and my husband has a billiards room. I felt that I didn’t have a space for myself—a place just for me to breathe and be. So, over the last few months I felt the need to design a child free, spouse free area for myself.

The Zen Den has been in my heart and on my mind for a while. I wanted my own oasis of peace; somewhere I could go to chill and relax alone. On Mother’s Day 2020, The Zen Den came to exist.

My Zen Den is a laundry room conversion……well actually the washer and dryer are still in the space but my hubby helped me remove all the clutter and storage, and organize and design the area to fit my needs. The Zen Den isn’t fancy or something off of HGTV, but it is perfect for me.

I have my spin bike set up, ceiling fans, my yoga mat, cushions, blankets, my singing bowls, drum, ukulele, and some of my plant babies in one space. Over the last four weeks I have been able to relax, exercise, and work on growing my small business in the Zen Den. 

I told my husband and daughter that when the door to the Zen Den is closed that no one can enter unless it is an emergency (lol…yep I sure did). This is called self-care and protecting my peace. Friend, you too can tell your family or friends you need space. It is not selfish to put your needs first. It is not selfish to acknowledge that you need to refill your cup. It is not selfish to relax or relish in some alone time.

Once you realize that your needs are just as important as anyone else’s, you can let go of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty regarding your self-care needs. You deserve some time for you. You deserve peace. You deserve rest. You deserve restoration. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

I implore you to find a self-care regimen and release any guilt that arises regarding your needs. You are important. You are worthy. You are deserving. 

Sending virtual hugs,

Stephanie

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Do you practice self-care? I thought I did until I found myself in a sad place.

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Do You Practice Self-Care?

Self-care, what does that mean? The terminology self-care and self-love are used frequently. Self-care has become a mainstream topic in wellness and healthcare. Self-care as defined by Merriam-Webster is “care for oneself.” Webster also states self-care is “health care provided by oneself often without the consultation of a medical professional.” Do you have any self-care practices that you weave into your daily activities?

I am a medical professional as well as a wellness advocate but unfortunately, I have found myself running on empty (queue Big Sean’s I Know). I have been pouring from an empty cup. I always tell my patients, my nursing students, and yoga students how important it is to take care of themselves. I always ask what they are doing to destress, to relax, and find some peace of their mind, body, and soul. Somehow, I stopped taking my own advice.

2019 has been a hard year for me. A lot of crappy stuff happened. I usually cope well, but this year not so much. My journaling slowed, my asana and meditation practice slowed, and my cardiovascular routine slowed. I went on a yoga retreat in November, hoping to bounce back but on the way there I received a telephone call with more bad news. I was thinking man when it rains it freaking pours. While I was internally dealing with all of these jacked up things, I didn’t talk about it and didn’t work through it in my usual ways. Instead I continued to do all the things as if nothing was wrong; I finished my doctorate, worked my full time and part-time job, taught 7-10 yoga classes a week, and managed my studio.

In doing all the things and internalizing my problems, I seem to have lost my self-care in the process. I somehow found myself in a place of sadness. I found myself judging myself, being less forgiving of myself, and overall having poor self-worth and self-care. Have you every fallen prey to negative thoughts? Have you ever wanted to inspire and help people but internally you were at a loss for inspiration?

I am now in a place where I must tell myself “Stephanie it’s your time, Steph you are only given one life and you have to live it.” “Steph you are worthy, you are enough, and you deserve all the good things that are to come.” As I repeat my affirmations, I reflect on the small changes I have incorporated now rather than waiting for 2020. If I desire to love me, to choose me, then today is the day to start. One month ago, I joined Orange Theory Fitness, I’ve returned to journaling, meditating, and asana. I’m slowly getting back to me. I’m navigating my way to health and happiness through self-care.

If you struggle with self-worth and self-care below are a 15-self-care practices you can incorporate into your life.

1. Affirmations/Mantras

2. Daily walk without music/cell phone

3. Meditation

4. Take a long bath/shower

5. Therapy/counseling

6. Yoga/meditation

7. Massage

8. Journal

9. Take your full lunch break at work

10. Use your vacation days (even if you are staying home)

11. Practice a full day of rest

12. Embrace stillness and quiet

13. Learn something new

14. Unplug from technology and social media for a day

15. Sleep