The No. 1 Self-Care Mistake You're Probably Making
The secret to self-care? Well, it starts by making time for self.
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Presented by Tracksmith:
Lately I’ve been swimming in this feeling of overwhelm. It’s as if there’s not enough time in the day to get the things done that I want to do. I wake up. I run. I shower. I get dressed. I go into my office until about 7:00 p.m., when I make myself leave the office and transition into the living room so that I can start to wind down from the workday — even though there’s more work to be done. In full transparency, this overwhelm will pay off, as I’m busy trying to get ahead so that I can integrate other people into my business (read: Interns! A podcast editor! A video editor!). Again, super exciting, after years of keeping this thing afloat solo.
However, I noticed late last week that I hadn’t picked up the phone to talk to either of my parents in some time, something that is usually a staple during my days. I felt worn down, and my voice didn’t exactly sound stellar. I had no plans with friends. While I was so excited to get away for a few days in Miami from Saturday to Tuesday morning — once I was there, I found myself in my head and often to-do listing instead of in the present and welcoming my surroundings. I was on the beach alone on Monday morning when it kind of hit me like a ton of bricks:
Why aren’t you where your feet are?
I promised myself to be more intentional. I took a walk down by the water, felt it cascade over my toes, and asked myself:
What can you do to calm down?
How can you be more present?
What can make you happy now?
Are you giving yourself grace?
Later that afternoon, I got together with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and felt like my cup was instantly full. I was so grateful to be in company where I could express these feelings and find a sense of belonging knowing that I’m not the only one.
I got home Tuesday midday, and come Wednesday morning as the overwhelm crept back in I asked myself the same questions:
What can you do to calm down?
How can you be more present?
What can make you happy now?
Are you giving yourself grace?
I tackled the monster on my to-do list. I made plans with friends for Thursday and Friday nights. I decided to take one of my afternoon calls on a walk around the block instead of at my desk. Come 7:00 p.m., I made one of my favorite meals (scallops with spaghetti, olive oil, and red pepper flakes), blasted music, and danced around my apartment. I took a bath. Drank Beam Dream.
TAKE THAT, overwhelm.
It helped. It was also a big reminder to me: You are in control of how you respond to your feelings. And in order to respond, you have to give yourself some dedicated time to take care of you. For those of you who have felt this way lately, too, I see you. Take back control. I, for one, can tell you it feels great.
PROMPT: What’s one thing you can do today to bring a little slice of joy into your life?
A huge thank you to my sponsor, Tracksmith, for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.
Tracksmith is a Boston-based performance running brand dedicated to the community, style, and culture of running. Putting on my Tracksmith gear makes me feel fast. That may sound a little silly, but even the science shows that when you feel good, you can perform better.
On top of just feeling good about my gear, I also feel really, really excited about partnering with Tracksmith because it’s unlike any partnership I’ve brought to you all before. The company has offered to donate 5 percent of every purchase using the code “HURDLE” back to Girls on the Run to help drive change. You'll also get free shipping on your order, too.
Be sure to check out Tracksmith's new summer collection, featuring styles for training and racing in hot weather. My go-to picks at the moment are the Allston bra, the Twilight crop tank, and — don’t sleep on the crew socks. Do some good today, head to Tracksmith.com/Hurdle and use code “HURDLE” to get free shipping and support Girls on the Run.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
SIGN UP: “Empathy In Action Workshop: A Juneteenth Celebration” on June 19
My friend and Hurdler Taylor Rae Almonte is hosting a Juneteenth celebration alongside her ACTIV-ISM co-founder Kira West and Actually Curious. It’s a workshop that combines a boxing-inspired workout with anti-racism education, mindfulness practice, and journaling exercises to help you strengthen your empathy muscles and resilience. Also, if you haven’t signed up for her anti-racism newsletter yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
READ: Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America
This newer title is not only empowering, but a call to action. Sports journalist Julie DiCaro balances candid interviews, personal anecdotes, and deep research to explore what America can do to give women a fair and competitive playing field in sports and beyond. Looking forward to scooping up a hard copy this weekend.
WATCH: Human: The World Within on Netflix
I caught the first episode of this new series a few nights ago, and it is fascinating. It combines cutting-edge science and captivating personal stories that showcase the incredible workings of the human body — from the power and flexibility of our senses and how the gut processes the fuel our bodies need to thrive to the heart’s capability of powering through extreme physical and emotional challenges.
WATCH: The Weight Of Gold on HBO Max
I watched this on the plane this week and wow. This documentary examines the widespread mental health issues among Olympic athletes and let me tell you, it was a lot to take in. Pros like Lolo Jones and Michael Phelps talk about how they are made to feel like they’re supposed to be “good” at everything at all times because they’ve trained to be the best of the best in their sport. It’s a powerful sentiment that I’m grateful more athletes are getting open about on the regular.
BUY: SHORTS ON SHORTS ON SHORTS
It’s shorts SZN. Here are a few that I keep going back to lately:
Tracksmith Allston Short (Don’t forget to use “HURDLE” at checkout!)
This is one of my go-to track shorts, a pair that’s perfect for picking up the pace. It doesn’t ride up at all and is a Goldilocks length. Since there’s only on back pocket, I reach for this when I’m tackling shorter distances and don’t have a ton to bring along for the trip.
Lululemon Zoned In High-Rise 2-in-1
I was skeptical on these, but ultimately I couldn’t be happier that I bought. They’ve got a thicker, no-budge liner (more so than any other 2-in-1 short I’ve ever purchased). PLUS: Two massive pockets. PLUS: They have a 6-inch inseam, which is usually my perfect length.
Saucony Rerun 4’’ 2-1 Short
Another goodie 2-in-1. I was pleasantly surprised by both the price point and the fact that these are Saucony — as I’ve never owned another item of clothing from them. You ALREADY KNOW that the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 is one of my go-to favorite, fast shoes.
WOLACO North Moore Biker Short
When all of my pairs of the North Moore biker short are in the wash, that’s when I know it’s time to do laundry. They are no-frills, stay-put, and fabulous. Plus, WOLACO recently gave the style an update — making the pocket size a little bigger and upgrading the waistband for max comfort. TLDR; mine are in the mail.
A MASSIVE GOOD LUCK to all of the Hurdlers competing in the Olympic Track & Field Trials over the next 10 days (see you next Friday, Oregon)! To learn some more about a few rad runners, take a listen to their Hurdle episodes:
Colleen Quigley
Natasha Hastings
Allyson Felix
Stephanie Bruce
Emily Infeld
Gwen Jorgenson
Marielle Hall
Emily Sisson
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 163. Iskra Lawrence, Model & Body Acceptance Advocate
Today, Iskra Lawrence is a household name in the modeling industry. She got into it at 13 in England where she grew up, and for years she struggled with being told she wasn’t “small enough” to land jobs. At 21, after years of crash dieting and exercising, she finally heard about plus size modeling for the first time. It seemed like it could be the perfect fit, until she was turned away time and time again because she was “big enough.”
Iskra decided to stop basing how she felt about herself and her body on others’ opinions, and it was then that she found Aerie. Now one of their #AerieReal role models, she has made herself a career championing self-love and challenging the modeling industry to include women of diverse shapes, sizes, and abilities. In this episode, we talk about the hardships and hurdles she’s faced along the way, especially throughout the COVID pandemic and with the launch of her new brand. We also talk about life as a new mom, and she offers up her best advice for anyone struggling with body acceptance.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: How To Pick A Therapist & What To Know Before You Go
Going to therapy, especially for the first time, can be mega intimidating. I'm connecting with Dr. Amanda Fialk of The Dorm to answer your frequently asked questions, including:
What are the different types of therapists?
What do the letters after someone's name mean?
What should you know before you go?
How often should you go to therapy?
How much does it cost?
Are there different methods?
... and so much more!
Don’t Forget to Check Out: HURDLE SESSIONS!
How to Start (and Stay!) Running
How to Take Your Running to the Next Level
Intro to Freelance Writing
Intro to Podcasting
How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Main Gig
Finding Your Power Alone
How to Build a Social Media Presence
Media Strategy for Fitness Professionals
AND *30-Minute One-On-One Consulting Call*
LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show! No topics are off limits.