I hope you had a wonderful summer! It’s been a little while because I stepped away from email and social media for the past few months. My digital detox was partly due to the fact that I was road tripping through the US for most of August (photos below) and partly because I needed a break from the online chatter. Now I feel 1000% rejuvenated, and, of course, I’m back to writing blog posts and mindful newsletters every other week.

Entering a new season

To me, autumn feels like the beginning of a new year. This is true for a few reasons:

• The shift in seasons is so apparent as the trees shed their leaves and the rain sets in (hello from the west coast where it’s rained for the past month!)
• I feel a strong shift in me, too, as “Let’s go on an adventure!” mode turns into “Let’s stay home and read all the books!”
• With an August birthday, I reflect on my year and lay out what I want to do and who I want to grow into over the next 365 days

In reflecting, I always set a few goals or intentions. This year’s focuses are to:

• Minimize time spent on social media (and internet in general)*
• Put less pressure on myself; instead, be fully present and enjoy what I’m doing
• Slow down and acknowledge/celebrate my growth and achievements
• Publish two books I’ve had in the works for a while (more on this below)

Minimizing screen time

*Tip for minimizing screen time: Try to view/use your device(s) as a tool rather than a default so you can be a producer instead of a consumer. Personally, I automate all social media posts and disable push notifications on my phone. I also only turn on my computer once I know exactly what I’m going to use it for (which I plan via daily focuses and task-management software). Contact me for more tips if you’re curious!

Honestly, practicing this has helped me slow down, be present, and drastically reduce stress (most ads targeting me are entrepreneurs telling me I need their webinar/product to grow my business faster, better, stronger—yikes).

With more time and mental space and less pressure, I’ve been investing my energy in activities that bring me great joy. Some of those include: walking through the forest, trying new recipes, playing piano, and reading incessantly.

I’ve also simplified my work to prioritize what I’m excited about (not what those ads tell me I should do). This includes: teaching mindfulness workshops, 1:1 in-depth coaching sessions, collaborating with likeminded entrepreneurs, and publishing a book. Wait, two books!

I published a book!

Publishing a book has been a bucket list thing (BLT?) for me since I was a kid, and I recently published my first book. I’m in full-on dance-around-the-house celebration! The book, Self Care at Work: How to Reduce Stress, Boost Productivity, and Do More of What Matters, is available on Amazon in two formats: eBook and paperback.

My intention with Self Care at Work is to provide a concise, practical guide to self care for those who know it’s important but don’t always make it a priority (which, let’s face it, is most of us). In this book’s 8 short chapters, I walk you through a series of foundational concepts, simple exercises, and transformative questions, designed to help you:

• Align your thoughts, practices, and day-to-day schedule with your needs and priorities
• Gain skills, tools, and self-awareness for growth and success, according to your terms
• Work productively, fulfill your needs, and spend more time doing the stuff that matters

Look inside the book!

Publishing a book is a lot of work (who knew?), and it certainly doesn’t end once you’ve written the thing, so I thank you in advance for checking it out, buying a copy, posting a review, and/or recommending it to anyone who might enjoy it!

Summer recap

Since it’s been a while, I’d love to hear how you spent your summer. Please feel free to send or tag me in your favourite stories, memories, and photos (I mean it!). I’ll be sharing mine on Instagram in the coming months, but here are some highlights:

• Finished up a part-time contract as the outpatient social worker at a hospital where I taught mindfulness and worked with clients with chronic conditions
• Hiked to the highest waterfalls in Canada: Della Falls, 444m (1450ft)
• Went to a music festival where I met The Hamiltones — very groovy!
• Celebrated my birthday at the lake, surrounded by a wonderful community
• Drove approx. 9000km (5600mi) around the USA in our converted camper van, visiting National Parks and other stunning destinations including: Cannon Beach (OR), Crater Lake (OR), Yosemite (CA), Grand Canyon (AZ), Horseshoe Bend (AZ), Zion (UT), Bryce Canyon (UT), Grand Teton (WY), Yellowstone (WY), and more

Finally, as you transition into autumn (or hit the ground running), remember to take care of yourself. (If you’re not sure how or where to begin, check out Self Care at Work for a simple, practical guide to self care that you can start using today.)