We all hold ideas about what we “should” do — in our relationships, in our careers, and even in our self-care. Sometimes, these ideas are helpful, but sometimes, they are not. Digging into the “shoulds” that weigh on us – and the stories that power them – was the first step Nicole took in moving toward a more joy-filled summer vacation.

Intentional Teach Project

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“I really should…” How often does that phrase fill your brain? We put so much pressure on ourselves with all of the “shoulds” and “should nots” in our lives, and behind all of the “shoulds” are stories that may or may not be true. In this episode, I am sharing the first step in my Summer Joy Experiment — an adventure that emerged after I found myself struggling to leave work-and-hustle behind and actually take joy (and rest) in my summer break. As I explored how to embrace rest, relaxation, and joy, I realized I first needed to examine the (sometimes untrue) stories that were muddling up my attempts to actually enjoy my summer break.

If you have trouble settling into your school breaks, vacations, or even off-time hours, you might be in the same boat as me. The Summer Joy Experiment is my exploration into easing the transition from work hours to free time hours and intentionally integrating more self-care into my schedule. Discover “step two” in my experiment in this episode!

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