Mayday: Self-care is critical

Last week, I was spotlighted as a Top Performer in an all-marketing department town hall for our second quarter. (Yay!)

This week, I was pushed very nearly completely over the edge due to someone’s lack of effort related to a shared goal… and quite literally almost quit on the spot.

So I shut it all down… and off. I took an emergency mental health day. I removed notifications on my phone, closed my laptop, and communicated with my leader and direct reports what was happening… and why I needed to go offline. I got pinged, but I didn’t respond.

Instead? I rested. I went out and had a good lunch. I got groceries that have been on my list for weeks. I started a smart, yet stupid sitcom. I visited with a friend. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

And it’s also Women’s Health Month. Taking care of yourself is essential. Boundaries are everything. And I am trying so hard to create them, and even more importantly, enforce them like my life depends on it. 

I’m happy to report things are better now. And I not only love what I do, but I’m proud to say I’m damn good at it. I recently produced my company’s first-ever product innovation showcase — a feature-length video that was streamed to thousands and is currently still being steadily streamed on demand — which garnered $millions in pipeline influence. And I’m already working on the next one. 

However — the fact that I am single is always heightened during those intense production periods (I call it going into a production cave). I slip into weeks-long scenarios where I forget to eat when I should, to drink water, to pay bills even though I have the necessary finances… to do all those small but meaningful things I must do. While having a partner or even a close, visiting friend always makes those times easier, I am in a position where I have to do that for myself, but am pulled in too many directions by too many people…therefore, I’m frankly unable to.

But — as this week reminded me — making me a priority is critical.

And I have been letting a lot slide in the name of making it happen. So, in these moments…

• To my friends, I ask: send good vibes. Love me through this. I’m trying.

• To my acquaintances who may wonder, “WTF is up with Lauren?” I request that you keep in mind that I am juggling a million things (and I have zero aim, much less juggling abilities) … and I am ever trying. 

• To my neighbors who may wonder why I let seemingly simple things go, I implore: Remember I am alone. And I’m trying. So hard.

• Above all, to myself, I beg: Spare yourself grace. And take care of you.
  

I say all of this because I KNOW there are so many others — particularly women — who also need to hear this.

It’s ok to slip over the edge. It’s ok to need to shut it all off. When you’re at that point, do it. No apologies and no explanations necessary.

And if you’re going through this now: I see you. I hear you. I get it. It’s going to be ok.

Boundaries are everything. Self-care is vital. Do what you have to do… and do it like your life depends on it. Because, frankly my dear one… it does. It really, really does.