Spring Reset

Resting with Intention During My Birthday Week

This spring, I decided to honor my birthday with rest. Not just a day off, but a full week of intentionally slowing down.

Why It Mattered

Rest is part of the plan — not a pause from it.

Since the fall, I’ve observed a natural rhythm to my energy: quarterly resets corresponding with equinoxes and solstices. Tuning into those cycles has allowed me to maintain my momentum without burning out, especially as I prepare to launch the data collection phase of my dissertation.

What I Did in OKC

I spent my birthday week in Oklahoma City, where, in collaboration with my best friends, who both happen to live here, I gifted myself time for the following:

• Going to the spa on my birthday

• Guest speaking for an introductory sociology course at OU

• Attending a comedy show the night before I traveled home

And in between those moments: rest. Real rest.

Want the behind-the-scenes practices that helped me reset and dream big? Read on for what supported this rest — and how you can create your own version.