About My Summer Sabbatical

 This summer, I'll be taking a sabbatical and I wanted to share some of the things I'm focusing on in case it resonates with where some of you are and can encourage your own period of rest!

(I will also share at the end what you can expect from BGH during this time!)

Reason #1: A Need for a Social Media detox

My personal sabbatical includes a detox from Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads to fully be able to connect to my own thoughts, peace, and daily life.

As much as you know I love a good Tiktok, the online space has become increasingly loud and confusing. 

I've never been able to fully take a step back even when feeling overwhelmed as it's how I share resources for BGH and stay in connection with my community.

However, I've taken the time to batch a mix of really funny and really educational videos that my team will post for me this summer so I can fully take a step back and reset. 

Reason #2: The Need to be Re-Energized

Last year, I noticed that when I extended my sabbatical time during the summer, I was itching to come back and teach. I felt so rejuvenated and excited to come back, coach, and create.

Though I have spent almost the majority of my 41 years someone who was addicted to the hustle, the grind, the overachievement, and little breaks in between, I've learned that the tiny breaks, though good, are not as helpful as the longer periods. 

I'm one of those people that, in this season, it takes me a while for my brain to catch up with the task of rest, and that's okay.

I think it’s great that I have learned that about myself, and it's even better that I’m taking the space to lean in to longer breaks without the shame that an earlier version of Shena may have had.

I also think needing longer breaks is a sign that maybe the ways I’ve been resting is insufficient, and I need to spend a longer time and greater focus on healing my nervous system.

Either way, I know I’ll come back ready and energized to continue to connect, coach, and create, so I’m looking forward to it!

During this time, I'll be curious to see too if there are ways I can give myself more rejuventating breaks during my work seasons as well or if this will be a new tradition where I plan to take longer breaks in the summer.

What I'll be Focusing On

During this sabbatical, I plan to focus on practices to continue to balance my heal my nervous system. There are still some signs that I have a ways to go, and as a newly perimenopausal woman, I want to really focus on that.

These things include deeping my somatic work, exploring fascia release for healing, more meditation, and more spiritual and energy work.

I will also be spending lots of quality time with my son who is out of school for the summer, and building more of that one-on-one time that can get lost when everyone is busy with school, work, clubs, camps, and everything else.

And finally, I'll be finishing the “No Contact Book.” I had planned to take y'all on the journey with me during the podcast, but I think focusing on rest while working on it quietly is the best next step. 

The people who have already pre-ordered will continue to get updates. If it is published during the summer, I may wait until I return fully from sabbatical to fully share it online so I can be available to promote it in the way that it goes… but we'll see! 

 

What to Expect From BGH

Regarding continued support for Black Girls Heal, in addition to the planned videos and educational support over social media, I've done the same for the newsletter.

You can still expect weekly emails where I'll discuss all issues related to love addiction, trauma, and support with a featured program connected to it in case you want to take your healing work deeper.

In case you missed it, I've put all of my programs on sale 505 off (even including Podcast Worksheet bundles, eguides, everything!)  with the code SUMMER50. So make sure you take advantage of it. 

It was important to me to still stay in contact not only for support, but I wanted to make sure email and social media didn't hide me when I fully came back due to a long gap.

Final Word of Encouragement

For anyone else taking space for yourself whether or not it is just an afternoon or if you're fortunate enough to take an extended break or FMLA for mental health, I am proud of you and hope you get exactly what you're needing in this season.

I look forward to hearing all the growth you will have this summer!

With love and warmth,
Shena Lashey