“He said, ‘There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.'” [DALI LAMA]

There are these things I like to call Mental Health Days. It’s a term I coined at my previous job. It’s a day just for you. A day for you to sleep, to rest, to smile, to cry, to watch movies, go for walks, take a bath, fold clothes, do laundry, cook, clean, sleep or just sit. It’s a day to give your head a break, and your heart a moment to just be. 

When I shared the idea with some co-workers at my previous job, the idea caught on. Soon we were in the habit of just texting MHD when one of us needed one. I’ve always said that the day I run my own business I will be a firm advocate for (motivated) in-office barefoot wearing, cross legged sitting, music playing, candle burning, yoga breaking people. I will also be the type of leader that welcomes the MHD text. We all do better when we have a little break. One that doesn’t make us feel like a terrible person for just needed a day to breathe. 

I find that as of late some things can just feel overwhelming. And not things that are normally challenging. Sometimes this new body, this new movement inside , the lack of sleep, the early mornings, the guessing, the little shifts, those things can feel like just a little bit too much. And so I think it’s important to take a day to breathe. Because these things are normal. And things are about to a whole lot more wild. This is just my body helping to prepare me for what is to come. So instead of pushing it deep inside and ignoring it, I’m embracing it. I’m welcoming all of the overwhelming-ness and I’m getting up early and going for walks to watch the sun rise. Feeling alive and reminding myself that this is normal, and that “this too shall pass” is one of the best tools I have right now. 

As I sit here and watch my belly twist and turn with this baby inside I’m reminded that all too soon there is going to be one more of us. Someone else to focus my energy on. The start to a new adventure and journey that I’ve been waiting for. But for now, while it’s just me, I’ll embrace the MHD and make sure to smile as much as I can.