How are you doing? Really.

The question I keep coming back to in coaching sessions lately isn’t about strategy or pipelines or campaign ROI.

It’s how are you doing? Really.

If that question makes you pause—or brings tears to your eyes—you’re not alone.

Every day lately, the news feels scary and heavy. The future of our democracy is uncertain. Many communities across the country are navigating the aftermath of natural disasters. Fundraising goals feel more ambitious than ever as funding sources shift at a moment’s notice. And in the midst of it all, we’re still trying to be present in our personal lives—caring for our families, showing up for our friends, and taking care of ourselves.

It’s a lot.

My client sessions lately have been full of really raw energy. I’ve heard tearful expressions of frustration, exhaustion, and righteous anger. Those feelings are valid. Necessary, even. 

I’m honored to bear witness and hold space for these tough conversations and big emotions because coaching isn’t just about creating action plans and achieving goals. It’s about honoring what’s real in the moment—and choosing actions that honor our most authentic, most human selves.

So if you’re in that space of “too much” today, here are a few self-coaching prompts to support your movement—not out of overwhelm, but through it. I invite you to start by taking a deep breath and picking one prompt. Identify your honest response, then move into action…for your wellbeing. 

Self-Coaching Prompts

1. What do I need today to feel more grounded?
2. Where can I ask for help—at home, at work, in my community?
3. What small boundary would help me feel more protected this week?
4. What can I let go of, even temporarily, to make space for rest?
5. What does joy look like right now? Am I allowing myself to feel it?

And because I believe modeling matters, here’s what’s helping me right now:

How I’m staying grounded

Podcasts & movement: I’m loving “Good Hang with Amy Poehler”—it’s funny, it’s human, and it is intentionally focused on comedy and fun. If you’re looking for something a bit meatier, but will still make you laugh, I highly recommend “What Now? With Trevor Noah”. The guy is a genius, can make light of the heaviest situations, and has brilliant guests and co-hosts. Both pair beautifully with a long walk outside…if you can take that walk through a park, I highly recommend putting your bare feet in the grass for a few moments. Literally grounding myself works wonders.

Returning to yoga: It’s both humbling and frustrating and so rewarding to be in a space with other humans where the imperfection is expected and celebrated. It’s exactly what my body and spirit need lately.

What Joy Looks Like for Me:

Live music under the stars. The Greek and the Hollywood Bowl are two of my favorite places. All of my worries slip away momentarily when I’m singing and dancing along with thousands of strangers from all walks of life. It feels primal and positive. Hot tip: You can get deeply discounted tickets to lots of live music at the greatest venues in LA as a member of CODA (membership is free). You’re welcome. 

A Boundary That Is Helping Me This Week: 

I’m shutting down my work day at 6PM all week, and I’m not taking meetings at all one day per week. This schedule is giving me space to breathe, ground, and prioritize more rest. I realize as an entrepreneur that I have more ownership over my work schedule than folks on staff, but you too can make adjustments. I’ve helped many clients figure out how to honor their energy without derailing team goals, or upsetting supervisor expectations. Trust me, it is possible and necessary.

The point of this blog post, and the suggested reflection exercises, isn’t to distract or sedate you from what’s happening in the world. Quite the contrary, I offer this to you as a way to help you protect your energy so we can all stay in the fight. 

I’d love to hear from you, especially if you’ve got a hot tip that’s helping you move through the uncertainty and chaos. Share this with someone who needs the reminder that it’s okay not to be okay—and it’s more than okay to take care of yourself.

As always, I’m rooting for your success,
Hannah