Things I Do To Recalibrate With Intention After A Busy Time
In July, we headed back home to visit our families for about two weeks — and if you’re subscribed to my newsletter, Lexie's Letters, you already know the full story! It was an absolute blast, but let me tell you, it was intense. Between celebrating my mom’s birthday, attending my brother-in-law’s wedding, and squeezing in precious quality time with friends I hadn't seen in months, my schedule was packed to the brim.
For those who are new here: my husband and I are currently spending a year traveling abroad, working on the road while building our dreams.
As wonderful as these seasons are, high-energy travel and family time inevitably pull you out of your groundings. It nudges you right onto the hamster wheel, temporarily pulling you away from the intentional rhythm you’ve worked so hard to build.
To add a bit of chaotic spice to the mix, our travel back was a total whirlwind.
Less than 12 hours before our flight, at midnight, our long-term rental car was suddenly canceled. If you’ve ever tried finding a last-minute, long-term rental that allows a dog, you know it’s virtually impossible. What followed was a blur of scrambling: postponing our trip to the next accommodation, securing a short-term rental just to get to an airport hotel, and rushing to pull together documentations for a new car subscription. We weren't just travelling; we were RUNNING.
(A quick moment of gratitude here for the kindness of strangers: the hotel staff who allowed us to extend our stay day-by-day in the same room, the car subscription team who prioritized our application the second documents arrived, and everyone who sent us paperwork within hours. And of course, inflight WiFi - what a true modern luxury!)
Now that we’ve been back in our rental apartment for about a week, I noticed how hard it was to quiet my nervous system and step back into a mindful state - the state where I have enough mental space and energy to build my second business, write my book, and nurture Lexie’s Choices from a place of joy rather than obligation.
These chaotic, full seasons happen to all of us, and honestly, they are necessary. I wouldn't trade meeting up with lifelong friends for the sake of strict routines when time is limited. But the magic lies in recognizing when you are struggling to ground yourself again - and having a personal toolkit of staples to pull you back into alignment.
Here are the 5 practical staples I rely on to recalibrate after a peak busy time.
1. Brain Dumping: Getting the Noise Out of Your Head
Before you can drop into your heart or your body, you have to quiet your mind. When I feel overwhelmed, I write down every single thought, task, and lingering open loop swirling in my brain - either onto paper or into my notes app. The simple act of creating a dedicated home for these thoughts frees up immense mental real estate. Once it's externalized, you can clearly see what actually requires a follow-up, what can be scheduled, and what can be let go.
2. Mindful Movement: Switching to an Intentional Workout
When routines fall apart, physical movement is usually one of the first things to go. Stepping back into a workout after a break requires extra activation energy, which is why I prioritize mindful movement over high-intensity strain. I skip the podcasts and upbeat music playlists and tune exclusively into my body. Moving in silence lets me listen intuitively - noticing where my physical shell is holding tension, which muscles need attention, and how my nervous system is actually faring.
3. Slow Mornings: Setting the Daily Cadence
Busy seasons demand a "go, go, go" morning rhythm. Dialing the pace back is essential to signaling to your brain that the emergency is over. While I don't believe in rigid, one-size-fits-all morning rules - your morning design should be as unique as you are - simply committing to slowness makes a profound difference. Resist the urge to check your phone the moment your eyes open. Give your brain a chance to wake up at its own rhythm before letting the world in.
4. Grounding Literature: Bringing Back Reading
When you're running around all day, it’s easy to fall into bed completely exhausted, scrolling on autopilot until you drop off. Intentionally picking up a book before bed or during your morning tea grounds you back in the present moment. Reading slows down your heart rate and creates a bridge between busy days and restful nights.
5. Energy Management: Ensuring Your Cup Is Fully Refilled
Before diving back into ambitious goals and big projects, you must ensure your baseline energy is restored. Your best work never comes from depletion; it happens when your capacity is at its max. To audit your current capacity, evaluate your energy across four core pillars:
The Mental Bucket: Clearing cognitive clutter and setting clear boundaries.
The Physical Bucket: Nourishing food, restorative sleep, and intuitive movement.
The Emotional Bucket: Reconnecting with loved ones and processing recent experiences.
The Spiritual Bucket: Aligning your daily actions back with your core values and higher purpose.
For a full deep-dive into this framework, read our full article here.
Conscious Reflection & Key Takeaways
Recalibrating after a busy season isn't about forcing yourself back into rigid productivity; it's about holding space for your nervous system to land.
Quiet the noise: Externalize your mental clutter onto paper before taking action.
Tune into the body: Swap intense workouts for mindful, quiet movement to check in with your physical needs.
Slow the start: Protect your mornings from immediate digital input to restore daily calm.
Nourish holistically: Check in on your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual buckets before launching back into big goals.
When your cup is full, working on your dreams naturally transforms from an obligation into a state of pure abundance.
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