Your Life Isn’t meant to be all levers up

Sep 25

Hey y'all,

It's been a while...but I can explain myself.

First, a bit of context:

A friend recently told me they were amazed at how I seemed to be "doing it all"—launching my card deck, keeping up with the gym, hosting programs for my own business and NAWBO Richmond, exploring new childcare options for Mahogany, planning my 41st birthday celebration, and hosting a launch party. From the outside, it probably looked like I had every area of my life cranked up to 11 simultaneously.

In reality, that's not how life works, at least not a sustainable life.

Think of your life like a soundboard. You know, those mixing boards with all the sliders and knobs that sound engineers use? If you pushed every single lever up at the same time, the music would sound like a hot mess. The magic happens when some levers are up while others come down, creating something beautiful and dynamic.

A zoomed in picture of a purple sound board with levers that are at different levels, some up, some midway, some down.

That's what happened during my launch season. My card deck creation, the logistics for ordering/printing, and launch party planning got the full volume treatment. The other things? They had to slide down. The regular gym routine took a backseat. Some work projects went on hold. Even this newsletter (clearly!) went quiet for a bit.

And guess what? The world didn't end. The launch was successful, and the party was magical. My 41st birthday felt celebratory and meaningful, and I didn’t feel completely rundown and depleted.

Now I'm in a new season.

The day after my birthday, I transitioned into a two-day detox and am now in a 40-day health and fitness challenge. This challenge is helping me be more mindful of what and how I eat, things that also took a back seat during my heavy production season. This intentional transition into my new year requires that some levers adjust again. Some things will pause while I establish new routines and rhythms.

Here's what I want you to remember: During significant transitions, launches, changes, or newness, it's not just okay for some areas to drop off; it's necessary for your wellness. It may mean you have less time for some things, rather than completely abandoning something, but flexibility during change isn't failure. It's wisdom.

For me, the non-negotiables during launch season were time with my family, my morning walks, and a solid sleep schedule (except for those random toddler wake-ups that no amount of planning can control 😅). Knowing my non-negotiables helped me plan which levers to pull down and gave me more confidence when I had to freestyle adjustments on the fly.

What feels good is giving my body time to enjoy the celebration, come down from the intensity, settle in, and transition at a pace that honors my humanity.

So here's your permission slip: Look at the levers in your life right now. What needs to be prioritized? What levers can slide down temporarily? Give yourself grace for the things that fall off periodically. That's not neglect, it's sustainability.

If you're looking for a resource that can help you get into the habit of assessing your well-being and making these intentional choices, my Abuntu Affirmation Card Deck is just that. The "Assess Your Well-Being" principle guides you through recognizing when adjustments are needed and honoring your capacity instead of fighting against it.

give me the deck, please!

The leaders our communities need aren't the ones running on empty with all levers maxed out. We need leaders who can adjust, pause, and transition with grace.

The Abuntu Affirmation Card Deck is available now in both physical and digital versions. It is perfect for those moments when you need a gentle reminder that sustainable leadership includes sustainable living.

NOTE: With the digital deck, you can download all of the images (which I self-illustrated 🙌🏾), AND you get a bonus of having a card sent to your inbox each week to focus on.