Hey Leader,
I looked up from my laptop one night and realized: my husband and I were basically roommates.
Work was demanding.
I started early, stayed late, and brought too much of it home. By the end of the day, my husband didn’t get the best of me; he got what was left over. A puddle on the couch.
I hated how I was showing up. So I made 5 small changes that led to more laughter, connection, & joy:
We put date night back on the calendar (phones stayed home!).
I started sharing 3 good things from work (to disrupt the negativity spiral).
We did things even when I was tired (walks, cards, anything small that made us feel connected).
I protected my end-of-day energy (and stopped checking in "just one more time").
We planned weird, low-pressure activities (like drawing each other badly or making $20 “college kid ramen”).
Within a week, we were laughing again. Talking about more than logistics. Looking forward to time together.
Because sharing a house isn’t the same as sharing a life.
And you can’t delegate this.
Lead boldly, live fully, & don’t forget to breathe.
In your corner,
Try This Today
Pick one low-lift activity you can bring into your relationship this week, even if it’s just a walk around the block after dinner. Check out the list below for inspiration!
Block time to actually enjoy your evenings (and set a boundary around it to protect it like you would a meeting).
Ask your partner: "What would feel fun, easy, and joyful for us this week?" Then put it on the calendar like it matters (because it does!).
Your Power Move
Want to reconnect without overthinking it?
These five creative date ideas are a little weird, a lot of fun, and designed to get you out of logistics mode and back into life. (And yes, I’ve done every single one of them!)
The $20 Ramen Challenge: Head to the store with a $20 budget and no plan in mind. Buy whatever you want to make the most over-the-top “college kid ramen” imaginable. Then come home, chef it up, and laugh at your creations.
Around the World (Without Leaving Home): Pick a country. Put on music from said country. Order or cook one of their special dishes. Look up a few fun facts or a game.
Color Mapping Walk: Choose a color. At each intersection, turn based on where you see more of that color. Gets you out of a routine walk & turns it into an adventure.
Titanic Drawing Date: Take turns drawing each other. Terrible portraits encouraged. Laughter required. (Ours were terribbllee!)
Tech-Free Night: Phones on DND, locked away. Play cards, sit on the porch, talk about life, whatever tech-free activity you want.
Bonus: Fancy Picnic Adventure: Pack a fancy picnic (complete with real food and maybe wine), drive to a scenic spot, and stay for sunset or stargazing.
Use one. Remix two. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s presence.
Behind The Scenes
A peek inside what I’m building — at work & in life!
Work in Progress
I’m speaking at Inspiring Workplace’s Summer Series this Wed, July 23, at 8 am PT!
Topic: “What Does ‘Done’ Even Look Like?” How to Stop Moving the Finish Line at Work & Still Be Seen as a Top Performer
Registration is free → come learn how to stop moving the finish line & still be successful at work.
Life in Progress
Unplugging from work isn’t just for date nights. It’s also for doing fun things with friends!
Last Thursday, we attended our annual Bend Elks baseball game with some of our best friends.
Thankfully, the wildfire smoke cleared out so we could fully enjoy being outside!
Thought For The Week
We schedule our workdays down to the minute. But the relationships that matter most?
Too often, we leave them to chance.
This week, don’t leave your relationships to change.
Choose a connection on purpose.
In Case You Missed It
“I need my sanity.” That’s what two VPs told me this week — and they’re not alone. This isn’t just a manager crisis — it’s a leadership one.
Check out the 6 things I don’t regret in my life & career — and nope, hustle culture didn’t make the list. See what did.
I used to check Slack before I brush my teeth. Now? My mornings are mine. Here’s how I reclaimed them.