A gentle reminder to be gentle with yourself
Preface: I was planning to write this newsletter all about the coloring book launch, but this is what came to me today! If you want to order a coloring book, they are officially live on Amazon and there are digital downloads available on my website too.
It’s NY Climate Week and everyone I know here has a calendar that looks like a game of level 10 tetris. Events back to back, all over the city. Most people are trying to squeeze in 2-5 events a day.
On Monday night, I realized I might need to go to an easier level of tetris. Sometimes when I’m so excited about an event, I get anxious and get a migraine. That lovely phenomenon was how I kicked off climate week. Instead of going to back to back events, I bailed on the second. Instead, I ended up in my bath at 8pm and fast asleep by 9:30pm. I slept for 11 hours.
New York FOMO is real. There is always something you can do at any given moment. Friends to see, events to go to, food to eat. Sitting still and doing nothing feels like a waste sometimes. But after 6 years of living in NY, I’ve learned it’s far from a waste. Doing nothing a few nights a week is critical for me to not burnout in this magical, chaotic city.
Enter NY Climate Week: the busiest event week of my year. On Monday I set a new intention to be as gentle with myself as possible.
4 things that are helping me this week:
Cuting out 3 events. This created space in my schedule to come home and rest in between events. I’m currently in bed eating pasta after a morning event and will nap before my evening events.
Creating an “unlimited” Uber budget. Almost all the NY Climate Week events are free, so I’m imagining an Uber budget like a ticket for the conference. Realistically I’ll Uber 4 or 5 times at most, but giving myself this permission slip allows me to feel calmer.
Remembering this isn’t the only time to see friends. Yes, it’s very exciting to meet internet friends IRL. But this isn’t my only chance. There will be climate week next year and other events throughout the year.
Feeling gratitude I am able to attend any of these events. I am grateful I live in NY and have access to these incredible events. A few years ago we were in lockdown and climate week didn’t even happen. Even going to just one of these events this week is a gift.
I hope this little reminder resonates with you wherever you live in the world. It’s ok to change plans and do a little less if that’s what your body or mind are telling you to do. I truly hate bailing on plans and it’s something I rarely do. But when I do I am proud of myself. I know that if I showed up, I wouldn’t really be showing up as the version of myself I wanted to be.
Feel free to email me/comment and share what being gentle to yourself looks like 😊
Speaking of events, I’m doing a coloring book launch party on October 18! No pressure to come though, just an invite if you’re up for it 😅
Ways to support me:
Buy yourself something from my shop- stickers, a mug, a onesie. Whatever your little heart may desire
I’m open for commissions. I help climate organizations simplify their messaging into pretty art
I host climate art workshops! I customize these workshops to your group- these are a fun team-building activity.
Ok my climate cuties, I hope your week is going well whether it is jam-packed with climate events or not!
Could not agree more, Nicole! I was only in NY for 3 days and it was completely overwhelming. I loved the MCJ event but everything after that put my anxiety to the test. I’m just not a city girl anymore and I’m totally fine with it. Thanks for being real and vulnerable. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. 🫶