I’m gearing up for this year’s Homecoming, celebration!  There’s a lot that goes into putting on this event – our family reunion, of sorts.  Everyone who knows me knows that I put everything into making certain this event lives up to its reputation for providing continuing education and learning opportunities, exposure to the many components of the Sisterlocks lifestyle including workshops on healthy nutrition classes, natural healing, business strategies and life planning.  And of course, food, fun and fabulousness are always on the menu!
 
Having most of our activities here at the Home Office building is particularly satisfying to me.  I love it that people can arrive in San Diego, CA and have an eye view of Home Office and meet the people who are here every day making all things Sisterlocks happen.  I always say we have a few people making lots of big things happen. 
 
I’m constantly hearing from Homecoming attendees about how happy they are that they came.  I think it enables us to develop deeper, more familial relationships.  People are able to see a more festive environment and experience the true heart of Sisterlocks.  There’s never a shortage of oohs, ahs and hugs!
 
I’m looking forward to Homecoming, this year.  I find that each year our event is a bit different and always better than the year before.  I do hope to see you in San Diego, July 7-9th.  Check the web site often for updates on classes, speakers and special guests.  Here are the details See you there!  

​Dr. C

WORK
Rihanna
Work, work, work, work, work, work
You see me I be work, work, work, work, work, work
You see me do me dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt
There's something 'bout that work, work, work, work, work, work
When you a gon' learn, learn, learn, learn, learn, learn
Me na care if me tired, tired, tired, tired, tired, tired

While we love Ri-Ri, one thing we don't want is for this to be our theme song.  With that said, it's difficult to maintain balance when a) you love what you do,  and b) your skills are in demand. Trust me, I get it!  

We live in a society where every moment of our time is consumed with a million things to do - sometimes all at once. The children go to school, tutoring, cheer, dance and drama classes. They have class projects, the movies and Dave & Busters play dates. The significant other is just as busy with work, school, the gym, etc.   As women, we get the overflow detail:  work, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning, homework and on and on. 

Factor in being employed, and/or self-employed with the ability to control your own schedule, and we think we can do it all. Wrong!  When every moment of our lives is filled with the responsibility of caring for everyone in our lives,  we inadvertently neglect ourself.  As the saying goes, before you put the oxygen mask on the person traveling with you, put your own mask on first.  

I literally cringe when Sisterlocks Consultants share that they work seven days per week or their number of clients has hit the triple digits.  I can’t help but wonder how they maintain balance in their personal lives.  It’s imperative to have adequate time off each week to manage our personal needs and to foster our relationships.
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Unfortunately, this saga doesn’t  apply to Sisterlocks Consultants alone, either.  Many tell me that their clients literally run to their appointments, often late, having barely had the time to properly shampoo their hair.  The time it takes to find space in their calendar for their next appointment is sometimes exhausting.  To have difficulty carving out a 2-4 hour time slot every 4-6 or 8 weeks to do something for yourself, is simply not okay.

Having an eight day work week and 28 hour days seems to work well for us…until it doesn’t.  Some of us crash and burn sooner than others but eventually, it’s bound to happen.  Think back to when you saw a friend or family member who was overworked and over extended.  How did they look?  Tired, right?  That’s not a good look!  It happens sometimes but if that’s your norm, if you find yourself proclaiming often, “I’m so tired!”  it’s time to make a change.  Don’t wait until you flatline!  I encourage you to find  balance sooner than later.  

There’s no cookie cutter example of achieving balance because we all have different circumstances.  With our finances, we’re taught to pay ourselves first.  The same applies with our time.  We have to put ourselves on the calendar first. Even if you don't know what to do during your scheduled time off, schedule it, anyway. Doing nothing at all can be an option. 

Take baby steps.  Start by putting you on the calendar, FIRST.  Schedule a few months in advance and put your “me day”  each week/month on your calendar.  Highlight those times in your favorite color in your day planner and/or electronic calendar and email a copy of the schedule to yourself.   Set reminders and do not give your time away.

Strive for a couple of hours each week to do something for yourself.  In the beginning that may be something as simple as a bubble bath.  Eventually, you’ll look forward to your free time.  Being pampered is something only you can define.
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• Enroll in a class or learn something new.  Having a new interest can be invigorating.  It also gives you something new to talk about with family and friends.
• Once a month treat yourself to a relaxing experience;  a mani-pedi, a leisurely lunch with a friend, browse a bookstore or visit a botanical garden.
• Unplug from your phone, tv, etc. for at least an hour a couple of evenings each week.  Spend that time having a meal with the family or play a board game.  I know people who turn off their phones once they arrive home in the evenings and it stays off until the next morning.  I’m not quite there, yet!

Even when your schedule is hectic, don’t forget to step away from work/responsibilities to have lunch.  A midday break, even thirty minutes, can replenish you. A ten minute nap works wonders and you’ll feel refreshed.

I’m a firm believer that while we can’t have it all, we can have most of it.  But we also want to be here to enjoy it in good health.  How will you find balance?  Please share some of your tips for “me time.”  Remember:  take care of you!