Kara S.

Today’s goals included (1) eat breakfast, (2) workout, (3) get to work on time, (4) don’t work late, (5) do something restful, and (6) take pictures!

6:35 AM

• Wake up promptly to my alarm (not normal). No snoozing for my Day in Philadelphia!

6:38 AM

• My disheveled dog, Howard aka Howie, notices I’m awake and decides to stare into my soul. 

6:50 AM

• My key to success. A cocktail of Zyrtec, Montelukast, and Dymista. Occasionally I’ll add in Breo Ellipta for asthma, but not today. I like to ration that one.

• I wash my face, brush my teeth, etc. The basics to get ready for my workout. 

7:00 AM

• Breakfast for Howard! He’s still in bed with Blake (my fiance!!!) but this will be waiting for him when he gets down here.

7:06 AM

• I put on a Dr. Dog record and relax a little. Again, this is not normal. If I don’t snooze my alarm every day, I’m hoping I’ll have time for this more often. Please see goal number five. I’m trying to incorporate more restful moments into my day (I’m participating in a “reclaim rest” series with @em.bodiedhealing - everyone check her out!!). 

7:30 AM

• On my way out the door, I look at two of my unpaid tickets from PPA. Consider disputing them. Maybe later. Heading to Jenna and Bryce’s house to work out with Jenna.

8:45 AM

• All done! Everyone check out @jennaleefit on Instagram! She’s an incredible personal trainer and she’s been helping me get back into lifting. 

9:02 AM

• Back home! Walk by those tickets again. Haunting. 

• Go upstairs to wake up Howard for his morning walk. 

9:15 AM

• Howie immediately lost his walking privileges for barking ferociously at everyone we passed.

• Howie surveys the street from a new, higher vantage point. 

9:17 AM

• Walking privileges restored. No other incidents all morning. So proud.

9:45 AM

• Walk complete. Cute photo of Howie taken. 

9:50 AM

• Water my dying plants. We recently moved and my plants did not handle the transition well. 

10:00 AM

• Say hi to Blake who is now working in the office with his trusty co-worker. Chat about our days and wonder what we’ll eat for dinner. 

10:15 AM

• Put Spotify’s calm morning playlist on while I get ready for work. 

• Getting ready includes some skin care, putting my hair in a claw clip, and deciding which combo of black jeans and a sweater I’ll wear to work.

10:55 AM

• Answer an email from our wedding venue coordinator about a menu update meeting. 

11:00 AM

• Dispute my two parking tickets. Wish me luck, fellow Philadelphians. 

11:05 AM

• Walk to my car. Coffee and Trader Joe’s cereal bar in hand.

11:24 AM

• Call my mom on the way to work to figure out plans for this weekend. It’s her and my sister’s b-day weekends. Everyone say HBD Mary and Lauren!

11:35 AM

• Walk into work and find out my co-worker Grace never learned how to swallow a pill, making taking this Advil difficult for her. 

Break in taking pictures to respect patients’ privacy and protect their health info :) 

7:50 PM

• Leaving a bit late due to some patient needs. Quick mushy moment: I love my job because even when I need to stay late or I’m having a stressful day… I genuinely enjoy this work and I’d stay late ten times if it means supporting someone when they need it. 

• I like my 11:30am-7:30pm days because traffic is nonexistent on my way to and from work.

8:15 PM

• Almost home!

8:30 PM

• After locating a spot to park on my street, I walk in and I’m greeted by my three favorite things: Blake, Howie, and food. 

• I quickly change my clothes, wash my hands and face, and put my work bag away (my after work ritual that keeps me feeling somewhat balanced).

• Blake and I sit down to eat pasta, chat about our days, and watch Jane the Virgin. 

• We play a game of gin. I lose.

10:15 PM

• Time for bed! Howie barks at us and is allowed to sleep in the bed for the second night in a row. 

• This is the earliest I’ve gone to bed in weeks, so maybe I should document my life more often. 

• I wonder what I should put on the wall between our dresser and mirror.

Goodnight :) 

Kara is in the midst of decorating a new home, settling into a new(ish) career, trying out a new skincare routine, wondering if she should curl her hair, planning a wedding, and trying to be a balanced friend, sister, dog mom, and partner. Wish her luck and send her calming vibes. She has also recently taken up yoga.