Permission to Rest
Can we be real for just a minute? Being a tourism operator who is still open this time of year is tough. We've been going strong since April, and don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that we can open this early and stay open right until the end of October with the restaurant welcoming cruise ship groups. I am beyond grateful for our entire team who has been sticking it out with us. But throw in the fact that this is not a 9 to 5, weekday kind of gig, and by now it's tough on me and tough on my staff. We can all see the finish line from here, and the interesting part is that crossing it just means turning around and going full throttle for the holidays. Our holiday gift box editions launch in less than two weeks, so right now every i needs to be dotted and every t needs to be crossed.
My Mind Never Clocks Out
Here's my honest confession: I'm tired. And truthfully, I'm not physically in the business much at all these days. But if you're an entrepreneur, you know exactly what I mean when I say your mind is always in the business. You're working on it in the shower, on your walk, at the dinner table, and at 2 am when you should be sleeping. Balancing that with keeping my nervous system in a healthy place is a whole job on its own, and some weeks I'm better at it than others.
Greece Was JAMAZING, But...
Yes, I know. I just got back from a JAMAZING two week vacation in Greece, and I'm fully aware how that sounds when I'm sitting here telling you I'm tired. The pace was perfect for me. Not too much scheduled, not too many adventures, just lots of quality time on beaches, eating, drinking, and soaking up all the beautiful things Greece has to offer. Maybe it's still the jet lag talking, but coming home I realized something. A vacation is wonderful, but it isn't the same as a true pause. I need a reset, and I'm giving myself permission to take one.
The other thing I know for sure is that I'm not the only one feeling this way. So many women I know are running on fumes right now, heading straight into the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ without catching their breath first. I want to make sure other women give themselves that same permission, so stay tuned, because I have a little local something brewing that I can't wait to share with you.
What's Nourishing Me Lately
Nourishing my body lately looks pretty simple, and honestly that's the point. I'm spending time outdoors and doing lots of deep breathing and stretching. I'm cuddling with the animals every chance I get, and I've had some pretty good chats with my kids, which always fills my cup.
This week we also held our second mastermind event at a flower farm in the country, and oh em gee, it was absolutely beautiful. Being in the cutest little flower barn with like minded women who get it, who are building things and carrying a lot and still showing up for each other, is medicine all on its own. I also squeezed in tea with a girlfriend this week, and I'm heading in for some body maintenance with my Chinese Medicine Doctor. None of this is fancy, but all of it matters.
My Morning Matcha Ritual
And of course, there's my morning matcha. You knew that was coming! This little ritual is my anchor, especially on the busy days. Before the emails, before anyone needs anything from me, there's that quiet moment of whisking my matcha and actually sitting with it. It's a few minutes that belong only to me, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. If you don't have a ritual like this yet, I can't recommend it enough. It doesn't have to be matcha (but I'll always vote matcha), it just has to be yours.
A Cozy Night In, Nourished Style
As the evenings get darker, I'm leaning hard into cozy nights in. And, can I tell you a secret? I am in love with getting my jammies on as soon as dinner is over, and sometimes (okay, more than sometimes) it happens before dinner. My idea of a Nourished night is jammies on, candles lit, as many sparkly little lights on around the house as possible, and a warm mug in my hands. And no, my Christmas lights aren't up inside... yet. But I can feel it coming, because this girl needs a little twinkle, and soon!
I'll be honest, I'm still working on not being glued to my phone all the time, and that's something I really want to be better at. But the goal is nothing to produce, nothing to post, and nobody to answer. And I love an early bedtime. More than once this week I was tucked in and sound asleep by 8:30, and I'm getting so much better sleep because of it. Chef's kiss.
Boundaries Are a Form of Rest
I want to invite you to plan one of these cozy nights for yourself this week. Put it in your calendar like you would any other appointment. You'd never skip a meeting with a client, so don't skip out on yourself either.
While you're at it, take a little look at what's filling up your calendar. What are you saying yes to that doesn't truly light you up? What could you say no to? One thing I've learned about myself is that once October 1st hits, night time commitments feel like I'm being dragged out of the house. I dread them! Now, sometimes they do need to be done, and sometimes getting out and being with people is exactly what my soul needs. Socially nourishing yourself matters too. The trick for me is being choosy, saying yes to the evenings that fill my cup and giving myself permission to pass on the ones that drain it.
Grace Before the Holiday Hustle
Here's what I keep reminding myself, and what I want to remind you too. Rest isn't something you earn after the work is done, because the work is never done. Rest is what makes the work possible. Before the holiday hustle kicks in and the season sweeps us all up, give yourself some grace. Slow down where you can, say no where you need to, and fill your own cup first.
So consider this your official permission slip to rest. I'm signing mine too, and I'll meet you on the other side with a matcha in hand.
Lots of love,
Marsha
