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STARTING NOW

self care, self compassion, yoga, body positive, coach, wellness, health, body image, stress, self criticism

First aid for mile long to-do list stress

First aid for mile long to-do list stress

A lot of the phrases I hear when I talk to super busy people about self care are, "I should," "I need to," "I have to," plus extremely loud sighs. If you're already overworked, having a laundry list of the stuff you've GOTTA do to take care of yourself can be overwhelming! How on earth can you get all of your work done, take the dog to the vet, run your errands, get the trash to the curb, pay the bills, drop off food for your sick neighbor, call your mom, AND feed yourself

Giving yourself a break when you can't sleep

Giving yourself a break when you can't sleep

We all want a good night’s sleep. But sometimes it’s just not happening. A new medication gives you night sweats. The neighbor’s car alarm keeps going off. The kids want endless glasses of water. You’re worried something is wrong with the cat and she may need to go to the vet. Or you just can’t put your finger on why, but your brain won’t shut down. On top of not being able to fall asleep, an annoying voice pipes up: “Even if I fall asleep this very second, I’m going

Join me for the Spring Self Care Day Retreat!

Join me for the Spring Self Care Day Retreat!

I’m writing you this letter from my front step. It's an unusually warm February day and I'm wondering how I’d like to spend the rest of my afternoon, after I hit send. It’s my birthday, and I’m stepping out of work early and taking tomorrow off to enjoy the sunshine and be quiet with myself. Maybe I’ll roll out my yoga mat on the lawn. Or I might curl up on the couch with my journal and a cup of tea. Or just sit outside and daydream. These are not the kind of things that

Do you have to "earn" self care?

Do you have to "earn" self care?

Here’s something I wish I learned before I people-pleased, overworked, criticized, and overextended myself into burnout years ago: You don’t have to earn self care. Too often we put off our needs until we meet our unspoken requirements for worthiness. For many of us, productivity is one of the biggest requirements. Before we deserve rest, boundaries, or nourishment, we bargain that we first have to accomplish, succeed, and give, give, give. Oof. The marathon just t

A very brief holiday self care guide

A very brief holiday self care guide

These wintry days are chilly and dark and the holidays can be tough, so I thought I'd send you a little inspiration to nurture yourself through the end of the year! Although the reminders below are particularly relevant for tending to yourself during the winter holiday gauntlet, they apply year-round. Especially if you are grieving or low (and even if you’re not), please give yourself permission and tenderness to continually check in with what’s right for YOU. 1) You don’t

Want some relaxing yoga homework?

Want some relaxing yoga homework?

Something I often hear from clients after private yoga lessons is, “I wish I could do this right before bed. I would sleep so well!” That’s where one of the best parts of private yoga comes in: the personalized “homework” between sessions. Yoga homework can be poses, breathing practices, meditations, and/or relaxation exercises that feel manageable for your schedule and intentional for your needs. Sometimes that’s a few poses you can do in the office or a brief meditati

Savoring life when you have a million things to do

Savoring life when you have a million things to do

I was a theater kid in high school. One of my favorite parts of performing was the moment of darkness at the opening of the show, just before light beamed onto the stage. The audience was quiet with anticipation and the actors were in our places. Worries over what was to come, whether it was my first note, the hazards of wobbling in costume heels, or enunciating the tricky part of my monologue, all of it disappeared. During that still and silent pause between preparing an

Retreat-ing and Embracing

Retreat-ing and Embracing

A warm thank you to the 11 wonderful people who joined me at New Hope Camp for last Sunday’s day retreat! We soaked up the fall sunlight practicing yoga on the pond, and meditated to the sound of the breeze in the trees. The food was delicious, and the people made the day wonderful. I can’t wait to see you at the next one. Last Thursday was our Chapel Hill screening of Embrace, and more than 100 people gathered to watch the inspiring documentary! I loved hearing you laugh and

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When relaxing feels harder than staying stressed

When relaxing feels harder than staying stressed

Eight years ago, before I really learned how to nurture myself, I was convinced for a while that slowing down might break me. When I got home at the end of a long day, I was often so tired that all I wanted to do was flop on the couch, but as soon as I did, I felt restless and anxious. As soon as I closed my eyes to meditate, I’d either break into tears or a cold sweat. For the life of me, I couldn’t lure my body into a full night’s sleep. I sometimes see this in clients a

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