Hi Friend,

As I'm writing this, I'm taking deeeeeeep breaths in an airport. Delayed. Four hours so far. I've already had to reschedule my connection twice. And I don't want to admit how many times I've cried.

I'm a pretty resilient person. I've become quite adept at adapting and rolling with the punches, especially when it comes to travel.

Things happen. I get it.

I'm obviously stressed about making it to LA in time for a client engagement tomorrow. But mostly?

I'm worried that I won't get enough sleep.

Sleep and rest aren’t luxuries for me; they’re non-negotiables. I organize my life and commitments around getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night and carving out at least 3 hours of downtime every day.

I know that might sound excessive or impossible to some, but I’ve lived the physical and emotional consequences of burnout, and I’m not going back.

I will not hustle harder than my body allows.

Whenever I catch myself thinking:

...that’s my internal alarm, and I've done enough work to recognize these thoughts as a signal to pause.

My first step is usually to revisit one of my (and hopefully now your) favorite tools: the six ATEs.

1. Automate – What can I put on autopilot to save mental bandwidth?
2. Eliminate – What’s on my plate that really doesn’t need to be?
3. Delegate – Who else can carry this with (or for) me?
4. Recalibrate – Where do I need to reset expectations or timelines?
5. Consolidate – What tasks or efforts can be grouped to reduce overwhelm?
6. Advocate - What do I need to ask for (or demand) to protect my well-being?

Over the last hour, this has meant scheduling out a bunch of emails I thought I'd have time to send in the morning, postponing two meetings that can wait, and asking a colleague to take something over for me that I wanted to do but now is untenable if I'm going to get enough sleep tonight.

I'm also working on recalibrating my mindset to remember that changing plans doesn't mean I'm a failure, and choosing to watch Netflix or sleep on my second (now very late) flight is not an indulgence.

I've worked hard to make this process second-nature-ish at this point, but it still feels really hard, especially in a culture that moves fast, expects more and more, and rarely stops to ask “at what cost?”

That's why I'm writing this newsletter instead of tackling something else on my to-do list during this ENDLESS WAIT for my flight.

Because I know I’m not the only one trying to unlearn chronic stress, challenge urgency, honor my body’s wisdom, and build something meaningful without burning myself down in the process.

We need to talk about how easily we can get thrown off our game and routines, unconsciously sacrificing what we need in the name of keeping everything going.

All it takes is a missed flight connection, an urgent email, a sick kid, or a curveball calendar invite that swallows your lunch break and spirals the rest of your day.

One disruption becomes two, and suddenly the habits that were helping you stay grounded and healthy are nowhere to be found.

I -ATE because my zzz's are sacred.

I -ATE because my energy is sacred.

I -ATE because my magic is sacred and requires zzz's to work.

We must collectively choose to -ATE because WE are sacred.

Rest and renewal are fundamental to our sustainability as changemakers and the causes we care about most.

Soooooo........

If your nervous system is quietly (or loudly) begging for the rest you deserve, or if it feels like you’ve been surviving on borrowed energy and second winds, this is your nudge.

Automate something. Delegate something. Recalibrate something. Advocate for yourself.

I'm right here (un)learning with you.
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Need a Little Help?!

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Meet the Radical Joy Coach

A few months ago, I was introduced to Jordan Maney, the Radical Joy Coach™ and creator of the RestLab. Jordan's energy is infectious in the best ways, and just knowing that she's out there helping others rest better makes ME rest better.

Through her facilitation and coaching, Jordan helps people who give a damn (AKA bleeding hearts) learn the radical practice of rest so they can reclaim their joy and sustain their advocacy. She’s been featured in New York Magazine, Yahoo, Attn, Oprah Magazine, and Martha Stewart Living. You can find her resting with friends, family, and her sassy pup Duchess in San Antonio, TX.

Sound like a person you need in your orbit? Subscribe to Jordan's newsletter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Attend the Changemaker (Re)Boot Camp

Taking place August 20/21-24 in Stony Point, NY, the Changemaker (Re)Boot Camp is a four-day, purpose-infused pause for people like you: nonprofit professionals, movement builders, educators, organizers, and healers who are holding a lot and trying not to lose themselves in the process.

The experience will be a kind of choose-your-own adventure, with workshops, circles, experiential activities, affinity groups, and intentional spaces for you to:

• Rest & Renew – Decompress, destress, recharge, and reconnect with your greater purpose.
• Build Community & Collaboration – Foster meaningful connections between changemakers across roles, organizations, and sectors.
• Heal & Reflect – Meaningfully address chronic stress and burnout, reconnect with your heart, mind, and body, and reflect on what it means for you to be a whole human in this season of work and life.
• Learn & Grow – Deepen skills, knowledge, and confidence in leadership, professional well-being,
• Reimagine & Reinvent – Think boldly about your work and the future of changemaking.

Join us to find respite, community, and tools to sustain your critical work without burnout, self-sacrifice, or disillusionment. We’re here for you, and YOU belong here.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/changemaker-reboot OR sign up directly here.
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Book a Burnout Blueprint Call

In just 60 minutes, we’ll uncover the root causes of your chronic stress and create a personalized, sustainable blueprint to help you heal, protect your energy, and move forward with clarity, calm, and purpose. Find a time here.

You probably won't believe that I finished this email at the same time that they announced my plane was going to start boarding (finally). Maybe the universe needed me to send this message before I could begin this next journey.

Please send traveling mercies and well-wishes for me getting to California tonight!

I hope we all get the zzz's we need to create the magic the world needs.

Big hugs always,
Marissa