just in case you need to hear this today

I’ve been staring at photos of my daughter at daycare all day long.

While eating her lunch at a tiny table with her little friends, going down the slide and playing in the sandbox, she is too young to understand what’s happening in Ukraine, Texas and my hometown of Milwaukee (where another Black man died in police custody on Wednesday) right now.

These are the ones top of mind for me and there are honestly too many horrors to list.

How can I teach her that we can both be of service and take care of herself as she grows older? both/and

On top of all this, we’ve had a rough week with my hubby hurting his shoulder and leaving everything on my shoulders.

I’m so distracted. And fucking tired.

We are all tired. We are all exhausted. This pandemic has taken a lot out of us.

WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES IN THIS MOMENT.

In taking my own advice, I just booked a float (deprivation tank) appointment where I'm heading in about one hour.

I'm also going to put on some music that I can dance to while I make lunch, stop scrolling Instagram, look up at the sky when I step outside and snuggle my baby extra hard.

If it feels like a lot right now, know that it is and that you can take time to rest and take care of yourself even if it just means taking a deep breath into your belly right now (which will naturally calm your nervous system).

Exhale it all out.

Deep inhale.

place your hands on your belly if that helps to bring breath there

Exhale.

I’m proud of you.

I admire you. And I'm glad you're here on the planet.

Considering a career transition, while planning or growing a family, during this time is a wild ride, and I'm just glad you're in it with me.

Thanks for doing what you do.

Thanks for being you.

You are enough.

And you are not behind.

You got this.

Thank you for being here.

I love you.

Nic

PS. Hit reply if you needed this today. We are in this together. You are not (ever) alone.

PPS. I'm at a loss for words about Ukraine and wanted to share this article by Marianne Williamson with you, A Night Of Compounded Tragedies.