Happy Monday, lovelies! This week, I’m absolutely thrilled to be putting the finishing touches on my presentation for the March Creative at Heart Conference in beautiful Annapolis. I’m actually about to spend the morning holed up in the studio pouring my heart out onto paper, and thoughtfully considering how I can best serve this new group of attendees. It’s such a joy to share this experience with Kat and the entire Creative at Heart team, and I can’t wait to greet a new group of attendees and reunite with speakers and staff soon!

I’ve found that the best way to dive back into a full workweek is to spend the weekend filling your heart with what matters most. This weekend, that included Boone’s first trip to Cameron Park here in town, some serious planning for our final home decor steps, and re-connecting with an old college friend. Although none of these actions were particularly extravagant or over the top, they all were simple steps I could take to practically refill my cup.

For as hard as we work during the week, and even the weekends, I think it’s so important that we create more margin in our schedules for things that bring us joy. I looked up from my desk not too long ago to realize that I was allowing my business to slowly consume more of my life. Now doon’t get me wrong, I still adhered to my office hours, leaned heavily upon the work/life boundaries I put into place, and did my best to leave work in the studio after hours! But if I’ve learned anything over the past four years of being a boss lady, it’s that work/life balance is a journey rather than a final destination. Some seasons are slower, and give you the opportunity to focus more on your personal goals and aspirations. In other seasons, things will be more hectic and you’ll have to fight harder for your times of rest and refresh. No matter how dedicated you are to the fine line of work/life balance, every season can tip those scales and throw you off kilter. But that’s okay, sweet friend. As we pursue a wholehearted way of work and life, we have to learn to give ourselves grace. Although some days may be easier than others, every day it’s equally important that we allot the same amount of grace to ourselves that we give to others.

So, this weekend was a lesson in slowing down and refueling my heart and soul in order to enter into another workweek with more grace and kindness. Here’s hoping that your workweek looks more like being a little kinder to yourself, and less like giving into the endless cycle of overwork and overwhelm.

Photo courtesy of the SC Stockshop newsletter by Shay Cochrane.