Why I'm Taking Next Week Off...

A year ago, I was stressed out. My twins were about to begin 8th grade, and I felt torn between my roles as a mother and a philanthropy advisor. Neither role was receiving my full attention. I felt guilty and wasn't having fun.

Determined not to repeat this experience, I took a proactive step. Knowing my tendency to forget things unless they're written down, I blocked out the entire week before school for the following year (this year) on my calendar. I titled the event "Take this week off work - see notes" and left myself this message:

"You should take this week off work, or at least only do very minimal things like check email and write a newsletter. Last year, you spent the week very distracted by all the back-to-school stuff - expectations to be taken shopping for clothes and school supplies, visits to school to set up lockers, arranging play dates with friends, driving them around, etc. It's hard to concentrate on work, and then you feel bad not being a fully engaged mom. It will only be worse this year when they are both going to two different high schools."

I'm grateful to my past self for this thoughtful reminder. I understand the assignment and intend to follow through.

Why am I sharing this with you? It's a gentle reminder that we all need to take care of ourselves. Sometimes, self-care involves grand gestures like planning a European vacation, seeking therapy, or leaving a toxic work environment. Other times, it's about the small things - watching my daughter's tennis practice without checking work emails, taking the kids to the pool in the middle of a Tuesday to enjoy the last warm days of summer, or making that Target run without rushing and worrying about what's not getting done at the office.

I encourage you to reflect on your own life. What can you do to take care of yourself today? This week? This year? Is there something you wish you had done differently that you can remind yourself to change when a similar situation arises again?

Consider writing a note and pinning it to your wall or adding it to your calendar. Your future self will thank you for this act of kindness and foresight. As always, I'm here to support you in your philanthropic endeavors. But remember, taking care of yourself is an essential part of being effective in your professional life, too.

Wishing you all the best,

Kris