Reclaiming A Healthy Life Balance - Starting with Self-Care

This post describes my experience incorporating universal design practices to regain control of my wellness, self-care, and connections with others.

There are so many of us who have put everything we have into our careers, our staff, our family and somewhere along the way, you may have started to lose who you are or where you were heading in the process. For me, I was so entrenched in my career, I didn’t even realize how much it was changing me. For years, I thrived in a high-stress environment where organization, discipline, and efficiency were my superpowers. I built a reputation for having everything figured out—a person with a plan, the answers, and the drive to make things happen. The thing is, I was putting everything I had into helping those around me, leaving very little (if anything) for myself.

I was running on empty. I had spent so much time proving myself—as someone new to the role, new to the community, and as a young female leader in my field—that I lost sight of myself. The relentless pace came at a cost: my relationships with friends, family, and even my own well-being.

Eventually, I hit a turning point. Just as I advocate for accessible, adaptable, and sustainable spaces in classrooms and homes, I realized I needed to apply those same universal design principles to my life. I wasn’t living the life I truly wanted—I was just maintaining the one I thought I had to. The key was refocusing that energy into designing a life that actually serves me.

It was time for a redesign.

Start with Self-Care

One of my biggest pet peeves is selfishness. I never wanted to be a selfish person or even be perceived as one. That thought played on repeat in my mind for the past twenty years. I felt guilty whenever I wasn’t checking tasks off a to-do list—even on weekends. To ease that guilt, I turned to multitasking as a way to justify doing something enjoyable. Watching a cheesy romantic comedy? Sure—but only if I was also drafting a memo for my staff, folding laundry, clearing notifications from my phone, and responding to emails. (Anyone else feel an odd sense of satisfaction from seeing those little app numbers disappear or an inbox finally cleared?)

Now, with a full-time work-from-home setup and more flexibility than ever, it’s time to prioritize myself. I’ve neglected my own well-being for far too long.

I had run out of excuses. I had the time—I just needed to take action. 

🔹 Establishing a New Sense of Structure & Routine – It was not easy at first. Being at home was a very different experience for me - not bad, just different. I had to create some structure for myself. I started with filling out my Google Calendar with things that I want to prioritize in my day/week. I blocked out my morning routine, times I would eat, workout, socialize, work on passion projects, work on consulting projects, and my wind down routine. I use Google Keep to create a few different lists - the first one I look at every single day is my “Big 3”. I write out 3 high-leverage tasks I’d like to get accomplished that day to make myself better each and every day, and to get closer to achieving some long-term goals I have. By listing these 3 tasks it gives me focus and a sense of accomplishment in my day. Setting clear boundaries and realistic expectations is a great way to incorporate Universal Design into your daily habits and routines.

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others ~ Brene Brown

🔹 Movement as a Non-Negotiable – I committed to working out at least five days a week, a major improvement from my old routine of zero to two workouts per week. After years of ignoring my BeachBody on Demand membership, I finally started using it consistently (shout-out to my sister for the encouragement!). How did I get started? I blocked out time in my digital calendar and set reminders to keep going. Two months in, I feel stronger, more energized, and—bonus—I actually get hungry now. I have a storage ottoman that contains all of my workout equipment that is easily accessible. I love the look and feel of the Bala weights and mat, but I also use my dumbbells from Target on a regular basis. There’s also a great movement meditation on the Calm App that I have been enjoying as well.

🔹 Nourishing My Body Better – I started paying attention to what I was eating. I upgraded my go-to breakfast of vanilla Greek yogurt, granola, and dried fruit by choosing a higher-protein yogurt option and adding chia and flax seeds. Lunch? I’m obsessed with tuna melts (with wasabi mayo). Dinner? Protein-packed meals with balanced sides. I’m eating portions to feel satisfied, but not overly stuffed. I also eat dinner between 6-7pm - so not too late in the evening. Nothing extreme—just small, sustainable shifts. I’m feeling fuller, stronger, and healthier (even if it is only in my mind at this point…I’m hoping I’ll start to see a physical shift once I convince my body that I’m in this for the long haul). We are LOVING the convenience and deliciousness of the HomeChef meals - definitely worth looking into if you are feeding at least 2 people in your household - if you live alone, you could consider going in on it with a neighbor and alternate who does the cooking :)

🔹 Hydration Matters – I swapped my bottomless coffee habit (I really thought I could keep up with Lorelai Gilmore) for actual hydration. Now, I start my mornings with water, drink consistently throughout the day, and—yes—still enjoy my warm mug of coffee each morning and a nightly glass of wine. Balance. Adding Beam Glow powder to my water, makes it go down just that much easier :) I also started giving my feet a little more TLC this winter, by using a pumice stone to smooth the rough skin and then lather on a thick coat of vaseline and wrap them in cozy socks for as long as I can stand it (I’m not a fan of sleeping in socks - typically I’ll wake up in the morning to find the socks tossed on the floor next to me). Give it a try - you just might want to play footsie with the person you’re sharing a bed with now that your feet are silky and smooth.

🔹 Beauty Sleep - I start my wine/wind down routine just after dinner, around 7pm each night. We dim the lights, turn on the fireplace, light a candle, pour a glass of wine, do a short calming meditative practice using the Calm app, and either listen to music, read a book, or watch some comedy/Youtube shorts until my body says it’s time to sleep. Usually that’s some time between 9-10pm. I get about 9 hours of sleep every night - and it is complete bliss. I purchased a small travel fan - and soft hum of white noise lulls me to sleep. (This would make a great gift for someone:) Bonus: I’m working my way through ALL of the various facial masks, oils, and lotions I’ve purchased over the years and actually paying attention to my skin. It’s pretty horrifying to see how much of these products I’ve purchased and never used. Now I treat myself to some comfy home spa days, and it’s so refreshing.

Then, build Connections & Community

Just as well-designed classrooms remove barriers to learning, I had to remove the self-imposed barriers that were keeping me isolated.

🔹 Owning My Absence – Avoiding social situations had become second nature. But if I wanted meaningful relationships, I had to take responsibility for my role in letting them fade. So, I reached out, admitted where I had fallen short, and asked for a fresh start. (BTW, the good ones will let you back in, and make it feel as though no time has been lost.)

🔹 Creating Opportunities for Connection – I set up a rotating girls’ night with my neighbors, ensuring socializing became a consistent, natural part of my life rather than an afterthought. It was amazing how quickly it all came back to me - how much I missed connecting with others, learning about them, sharing an experience with them, and truly relaxing - laughing uncontrollably and making memories. I’m starting to see myself coming back to life again - and it feels incredible.

🔹 Engaging in Different Ways – Universal design embraces multiple ways to interact with a space, and I applied that to my social life by joining Meetup events. Some gatherings felt effortless, others took me out of my comfort zone—but each one helped me reconnect with the world beyond work.

🔹 Prioritizing Sustainable Relationships – Like any lasting design, meaningful relationships require maintenance. Instead of sporadic catch-ups, I’m building consistency—whether it’s a weekly walk, a monthly meet-up, or my upcoming family cruise (a big, bold commitment to making joy a non-negotiable).

🔹 Embracing Flexibility – Not every day is a confident one. Some days, I feel unstoppable; others, doubt creeps back in. But just like in a well-designed space, adaptability is key.

Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about continuing to show up. ~ Alison Celmer

Design a Life That Works for You

This journey has taught me that universal design isn’t just for architecture and instruction—it’s a philosophy for life. Just as I help teachers create functional, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments, and help families turn a house into a home that fits their lifestyle. I’m learning to design a life that supports my own well-being, relationships, and happiness. 

It’s not easy, and it’s not quick, but it is totally worth it. Each small step you take will add up - in some instances you’ll feel and see results immediately, while others are worth the wait.

You are amazing. You are beautiful. You’ve got this. Be the person you would want to spend time with.

Be patient, graceful, and consistent with yourself, and you’ll be living the life you’ve always wanted.  ~ Alison celmer

I’ve listed a few book recommendations you can check out below for advice and encouragement from some all-star women I deeply respect and admire;

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If you’re feeling stuck, I encourage you to assess your life the way I assess a space:

✨ What barriers can you remove?
✨ What small changes can create a big impact?
✨ How can you design a life where you feel seen, supported, and fulfilled?

I’d love to hear—what steps are you taking to build a life that truly works for you? Drop a comment below!

And if you’re looking for some support along the way, I’m here to help you get closer to your goals. Let’s talk about how you can create the life you’ve always dreamed of—schedule a free 30-minute consultation today! We’ll move forward together, one step at a time.