Grounded: Sometimes You Have to Step Away From the Work

My Pookie Bear exhausted from watching me work. It's hard being a baby.

Today, I was in the house grinding.

And when I say grinding, I mean doing all the things.

Cohort applications.

Speaking engagement applications.

Video interviews.

Scheduling content.

Revising strategies.

Analyzing data.

The whole nine.

I was literally sitting there in my muumuu, working like I had somewhere to be. 😂

Meanwhile, my five month old son, Dexter, was right there with me.

After a while, I looked at him and realized we were both tired.

We were both agitated.

And it was beautiful outside.

So, I said, “You know what? We need to get out of this house.”

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is stop forcing productivity.

We hopped in the truck and headed to the Hoover Public Library. I needed to look into a new location for an upcoming teen workshop, and I also wanted to visit my business associate, Tiffany, who is one of the cofounders of Noir, a cafe located inside the library. It opened in the past month and is owned by both Tiffaney Breaire Strayhorne and Tierra Robinson.

I had originally planned to keep the event in Ensley, but after having to reschedule, I decided to see what Hoover had to offer.

Instead of calling and taking up somebody’s time on the phone, Dexter and I made a little field trip out of it.

When we arrived, I honestly forgot how big the Hoover Public Library was.

It had been a long time since I had visited a library of that size, and I was amazed by everything available to the community.

They have meeting rooms, conference spaces, sensory rooms, laptops that can be checked out, travel opportunities, and so many other resources.

The woman at the front desk was incredibly kind and helpful as I asked questions and explored the space.

Eventually, we made our way to Noir.

The cafe immediately stood out.

The decor created a clear separation between the cafe and the rest of the library. You could visually tell that you were walking into a completely different atmosphere.

It was warm.

Inviting.

Relaxing.

And the customer service was excellent.

I am not just saying that because I know Tiffany either.

She was there working, and she told me she was tired.

I was tired too.

But sometimes, two tired people sitting down and having an honest conversation is exactly what both of them need.

We talked about growth.

Personal growth.

Professional development.

Life.

Business.

And the importance of being intentional about the direction you are moving in.

She gave me some wisdom that I took to heart, both personally and professionally.

That conversation reminded me that I am more than my work.

Yes, I have goals.

Yes, opportunities are coming.

Yes, there is a lot that I want to accomplish.

But I also have a life.

I have a family.

I have friendships.

I have a community.

And I have to make space for those things too.

Also, I had some kind of berry tea refresher lemonade that was absolutely amazing.

Tiffany, forgive me if I completely messed up the name. 😂 ( you can find the menu here)

Dexter was smacking his lips and watching me drink it like he was waiting on his turn.

Sir, you are five months old.

You cannot have any.

But we will definitely be back.

I loved the atmosphere, the conversation, and the reminder that getting out of the house can completely shift your mood.

I also decided that when I reschedule my teen workshop, Noir will be part of the experience. The teenagers will get to enjoy some of their food and drinks while we learn, connect, and have fun.

The biggest lesson from today was simple.

Ground yourself in more than your work.

Ground yourself in rest.

Ground yourself in community.

Ground yourself in conversations with people who remind you who you are.

Ground yourself in the small moments.

Even when opportunities are coming from every direction, it is okay to slow down.

It is okay to take your time.

It is okay to step away for a moment and make sure you are moving with intention.

Everything does not have to be done today.

Sometimes, you just need to put the laptop down, grab the baby, get in the truck, and go outside.