Prepping for Off-Season: Mind, Body & BOUNDARIES.

Alrighttyyyyy, play-offs or not, most of us are already prepping and starting to prepare to head home. This isn't about packing your suitcases to go back though. THIS is about preparing for the much anticipated and slightly dreaded off-season back home. Issalot.

EVERYBODY and they mama want a piece of your short time home. Even family and friends you haven't spoken to in ages come out the woodwork like "hey stranger” giving BIG "hey bighead" energy. It's overwhelming and while we love a good time, much-anticipated hug, cook out and take home plate as much as the next person, some people at home don't grasp the concept that we need time to ourselves to adjust to our experienced but NEW norm after months of living overseas. We need time to reacclimatize (just learned that was a word) and settle in. WE NEED SPACE to get situated, unpack, go to Target, find groceries that won't destroy our stomachs and beat jet lag. It's home but it's culture-shock. Like I need a sec to realize that my menus are in English.

Now, while we know we need all those things, even WE ourselves hit the ground running knowing we're gonna crash. It's how we are but it's our prerogative to schedule things how and when we see fit and no one else's. That's what I had to learn after being dragged through the trenches of other people's availability and fighting for my life to fit into their schedules; completely dismissing my need for rest, quality time with my man off-season and shoot, sometimes a ride. Lol. We share a car when we're home soooooo who's picking me up when it's not my turn or we can’t come to an agreement on how we're working individual schedules?

Listen, this is now my third off-season and though I haven't been in this as long as some of my other WAG girlies, I've learned the extreme importance of having boundaries with no guilt and how to navigate Summers at home while both meeting family obligations AND prioritizing the needs of me and my husband. Here's what I've learned:

Mind. Mentally preparing for what you KNOW to expect. People love you and you love them. They are excited to see you while you're in town and while some are understanding, others are unknowingly oblivious to what off-season is like for you. They want dibs on your time and understandably so. However, you are the master-scheduler of your day to day. If you're not yet ready to blatantly tell people you need a sec, avoid announcing to the world that you're back. I get sharing it with a few loved ones you want to prioritize spending those first few days/weeks with but don't post it until you're ready for the floodgates to open. If this is your first off-season, it's busy busy busy. There's no escaping it. Lol. Don't be surprised by your new "to-do and see" list. MANAGE IT. Talk it out with your partner, get a game plan and schedule days to relax and reacclimate. Be intentional about resting and know that while your time home is short, it can't be enjoyed if you're mentally putting everyone else's wants and feelings above your own.
Body. As you know by now, European snacking is nothing like American snacking. Cheetos, if you can find them here, are a bit healthier and lightweight than they are in the States. This is if you're an American. Food is different. Don't rush to eat all of your home favorites. Slowly ease your way back in. Time is ESPECIALLY different and more rapid in the States. There is no chill given so you have to make it. BIGGEST TIP FOR THE BODY IS TO GO TO BED. Do not hesitate to sit something out so that you can relax and enjoy quiet time. I was sleep-deprived my first Summer back home trying to keep up while fighting jet lag and what happened? I got sick. Take vacations that encourage downtime. Put your shoulders down, unclench your butt-cheeks. Everything that needs to get down will get done. Everyone who needs to be seen will be seen. Also, exercise! I loved pilates last summer. It felt good and boosted my energy to move my body and give back to it.
BOUNDARIES. No shade, but if they weren't hitting your phone and vice-versa during the season, there needs to be no pressure applied when you get home. KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY SIS. Lol. Get familiar with telling people the truth; "I'm not available today." "I don't have time this week but maybe next." "I don't have the capacity." or "I'm free these days, what works best for you?" These responses aren't mean, they aren't rude and they are honest. Do not shy away from a schedule that works FOR YOU. Boundaries. Let people meet you halfway. I've experienced people who loved to guilt trip me into spending time with them but wouldn't at any point consider my circumstances or my time. I fell into and would resent the time I was spending with them WHILE SPENDING IT WITH THEM. We're not taking that into Summer 2024 sis. The answer is "we'll see" "I'll let you know" or "not this time". Be ok with putting you and yours first. Take your vacations, spend this time off how you guys see fit. AND. DON'T. FEEL. BAD. ABOUT. IT..

We have a baby on the way this off-season so I'm gonna have to step the boundaries up. Pray for us because this side of things is new. Lol. Best wishes...

Remember. "No" is a complete sentence.

See you on the sidelines sis,