If you’re constantly preparing for the next thing yet craving peace you can’t seem to reach, this piece is for you. Explore why busy seasons leave us restless, how small mindful pauses can calm the nervous system, and why simple joys—art, books, cozy moments, fresh air—help you reconnect with yourself. Discover how stepping out of preparation mode creates space for the peace you’ve been longing for.

Nurses are experts at caring for others—but often forget themselves. In my latest article, I share a powerful patient story that reminds us to pause and ask: “What am I doing to take care of myself?” A simple question, but one we all need. What’s one thing you can do for yourself today?

By noon, there is no more willpower. You wanted to have a good day, you planned to have a good day, you took steps to try and make it a good day. And yet, you’re exhausted and only half-way through the day. So, what happened? You’ve realized what anyone who’s ever been on a diet can tell you, willpower is a finite resource and there is only so much that willpower can accomplish. So how do you keep doing all the hard things that are required of nurses?

Every nurse is a candle for their patients, a moment, an experience in someone else’s life. We need to remember this and apply the light to