“You are worth the quiet moment.” 💞 ~Morgan Harper Nichols
finding self-care where you are (#330)
With this season being particularly heavy and overwhelming, as much as I want Calgon to take me alllll the way away to a beach with some umbrella drinks, it’s not exactly doable at the moment.
Will it be someday? Maybe. Once I can figure out some caregiver stuff. But in the meantime, I have found ways to create joy and find self-care where I am.
Recently that involved some family time and a playdate with my nephew at the trampoline park. I had never been, but I was immediately impressed. First of all, the socks you wear glow in the dark. 🙌🏾
(it’s the little things, my friend)
Secondly, once I entered the park, I definitely flashed back to my kid years, jumping and playing and having fewer cares in the world than I do now. Also, hello, low-impact exercise… 👋🏾
My 6-year-old nephew wanting to play dodgeball while jumping on trampoline floors also commanded my attention; otherwise, I’d get hit. 🏃🏾♀️
Talk about an unexpected hour of mindfulness, presence, and pure joy.
I laughed, ran, tried (and failed) to climb some stuff, and spent quality time with my little guy. Afterward, we went out for pizza - a favorite for all of us. All in all, an exhilarating Friday night.
Not quite a beach or an umbrella drink, but it was an opportunity to shake off some of the heaviness I’d been feeling and recharge a bit.
I’m already thinking about either getting a membership to the trampoline park OR buying a mini trampoline for the house.
Self-care can look so different for us based on our circumstances, budget, time, and capacity. But even if some things aren’t feasible, there might be opportunities to create that joy where you are.
You could try:
treating yourself to a manicure
doing a 5-minute meditation or breathwork exercise
getting your favorite food for lunch/dinner
buying yourself something on your Amazon wish list
grabbing coffee with your bestie
dancing to your favorite song
taking yourself to a movie or a play or a concert
getting groceries delivered
reading your favorite books
going to spaces that make you feel damn good
devoting a few hours to watching a tv show that’s been on your watchlist forever
finding a trampoline park in your area - you’ll have fun, trust me!
Taking breaks and time to recharge is so important for us to show up in our jobs, our businesses, and our lives.
What are some small ways you can do that? How can you find opportunities for self-care where you are?
On to the picks!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
📺. Watching: Cruel Summer. Ok Freeform and Jessica Biel. You know how to make a show. Each season features a small-town mystery involving two teenage girls and their accounts of events over three time periods. Season 1 involved one girl who was kidnapped and another who was accused of keeping silent. Season 2 involves two friends and a murder. 😱
🎧. Listening: Spotify DJ. I’ve actually been enjoying this newer perk of a Premium subscription. Have you used it yet? Mine is called DJ X, and he puts together these sets of 5-6 songs around a certain theme. It reminds me of listening to the radio but without ads. If you don’t have Premium, I also really love Spotify’s curated mix playlists. My current fave: Chill Mix.
#reads
post highlights the side hustle benefits: diversifying income, daily structure, and collaborating with others. I think there are some of us (🙋🏾♀️) that enjoy our jobs but also want to have something of our own. The #sidehustlelife allows us to have the best of both worlds. What do you think?“For them, the day job is a feature, not a bug, and they don’t have dreams of working in coffee shops and trapezing around the globe. They’re perfectly fulfilled creating their content on nights and weekends, and any revenue they generate from that content is just an added bonus.”
—
Just for today
I loved this sentiment from Tanya Moushi’s Daily Inspire newsletter and thought it might resonate with you as well:
What if today you simply attempted a sort of radical acceptance?
You didn't criticize yourself, you didn't lament the fact that you are the way you are, or suck at that thing you suck at.
What if just for today you reinforced how fucking awesome you are? How far you've come? How hard you fell and how you got back up?
How at least you're trying––and that's more than other people can say.
I think that would be a good plan.
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick was: 40 Things I Wish I’d Known at 40
💬. Side Hustle Convos: Learn from others who have started successful businesses and are juggling it with their day jobs.
#classifieds 🗞
Subscribe to Dan’s Dispatch for actionable career advice to help you discover and do your best work.
Rosebud: The journal that talks back. It’s an AI-powered journaling app that helps you self-reflect and create your personalized path to fulfillment. Start journaling today!
Claim your name! Finby sources domain names with brandability and investment potential, perfect for naming your side hustle. Get 2-5 domain options in your inbox every morning.
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K. Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
Want to help support this newsletter Buy me a coffee.
I love trampoline parks and I did get a mini trampoline for my living room. Its a jump sport brand, with bungee cords and sooooo quiet so I can jump while I watcha movie or show. Love it so much and even 5 minutes on it with a good song, perks me up! Best $300 investment, been using it for over 5 years
I love DJ X, I've been using it since it came out, makes for a fun variety and removes a decision I'd have to make a few times each day.