brb, I'm at capacity
A lesson on managing time and energy during busy seasons
#WednesdayWisdom
“You are doing too much. It’s okay to rest.” ~ Tricia Hersey
Morning Musings
It’s been a WEEK and it’s only Wednesday! Every Sunday night, I sit and map out the week ahead in my Ink + Volt planner. I already knew April was going to be a MONTH—what with six speaking engagements, two trips (one to L.A. for business and one to Vegas for pleasure), a flurry of podcast interviews (both for my own and others) and a couple of freelance assignments on top of my regular work!
Not to mention Monday was both Picture Day at daycare and registration opened for Violet’s summer swim lessons (if you’ve ever stayed up until midnight to register your child for summer camp, etc., then you know the feeling!).
I’ve been joking with close friends that this is good prep for my upcoming book tour/promo because I can imagine it will be more of the same, so I’m learning to pace myself.
On Sunday night, I asked the good folks on Twitter for their best tips on how to manage time and energy during busy weeks. The thread is full with amazing advice that I highly suggest you read and bookmark for when you find yourself in similar circumstances.
The first reply came from my friend Melissa Kimble over at #blkcreatives who recommended I do the following:
set reminders to eat and plan ahead for breaks/restoration time
stay hydrated
re-examine boundaries bc ya can’t do everything
set intentions + focus on those vs. holding specific outcomes (helps alleviate pressure) know that the to-do list can be flexible
I immediately rescheduled an interview and the next morning one of my meetings was canceled. Won’t He do it? Later, I canceled another meeting. It seems as though in the hubbub of well, life, I’d forgotten my relatively new cardinal rule of no more than two speaking engagements/podcast interviews per week, ideally with at least a day in between—something I feel will come in handy once book promo ramps up.
What cardinal rules, boundaries and/or best practices do you have for managing your time and energy during busy seasons? Let me know in the comments because I am definitely taking notes!
New on the Podcast
This month on the podcast I’m joined by my good friend and award-winning poet, singer and songwriter Pam R. Johnson Davis. We talk about creativity, jealousy and the importance of Black female friendship.
Upcoming Events
April 29: How to Write (and sell) Your Nonfiction Book Proposal. This class will also include the anatomy of a nonfiction book proposal and sample query that will help you land an agent. Participants will walk away with a solid understanding of how to write a proposal and query letter; tips for how to build their audience and information on where to find literary agents.
ICYMI
This week I made my editorial debut in Essence and I’m so excited! My senior capstone project in college was basically a teen magazine version of Essence, much like CosmoGirl! (IYKYK) so this is a major writing milestone for me. I wrote about my recent reunion with pole dancing and how it’s helped me feel more confident in my postpartum body.
Also, I was recently a guest on The Braves Files podcast and it was so fun reuniting with the host and newsletter subscriber, Heather Vickery, whom I met years ago at a retreat for women (yay!). In this episode, we dive into juggling creative pursuits and ambition with parenting and celebrating wins (something I’m actively working on). Tune in and tell me what you think!
Links I Love
Is Therapy-Speak Making Us Selfish? (Bustle)
The Kamala Harris I Saw in Africa (The 19th)
Tracee Ellis Ross is An Icon – And Our Favorite Rich Auntie (It’s Been a Minute)
My Latest Obsession
I’ve started listening to the audiobook version of Rest Is Resistance (let’s be real, audiobooks are the only way I’m getting any reading done nowadays) and when I tell you this book is a balm. If you’re seeking more rest and less stress in your life—and who among us does not?—this manifesto from The Nap Bishop aka Tricia Hersey is for you.
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I used to date a preschool teacher in Chicago and I was SHOCKED at what parents had to do to get their kids in summer programs. Moms and dads (rich yt ones!) were literally camped out overnight in front of the school so they could be sure they’d get their kids in his class. I mean SHOCKED 😳
And as far as busy seasons, in the past when I knew I was heading into a particularly crazy month or so, I would have a chat with my closest friends/SO to give them the heads up that I would be pretty absent for a little while.
It really helped that I didn’t also have to worry about how’d they feel during temporary abandonment (lol), so that was one less thing for me to worry about.
It was also great because they’d do small things that were helpful without being another to-do for me.
This is so cool! Thank you L’Oréal!! Have a good day :)