Balancing the demands of leadership with personal well-being is a significant challenge for women in high-pressure partnership roles. During a recent panel discussion hosted by Jen Waltz and Caryn Jervis, women leaders shared their candid experiences and strategies for self-care, emphasizing its importance in maintaining resilience, mental health, and overall balance.
Self-Care as a Mandate, Not a Luxury
Lauren Jeter opened the conversation by stressing, “Self-care is a mandate.” For her, it’s not just an indulgence but essential to refilling her energy to meet both personal and professional challenges. Bethanie Nonami echoed this sentiment, reflecting on her own journey of putting everyone else first until she realized the importance of asking for help: “I used to become resentful when no one offered help, but self-care begins with taking baby steps and giving yourself grace.”
Beatriz Rignel likened self-care to the familiar “oxygen mask” analogy—without it, she wasn’t able to be the friend, mother, or professional she aspired to be. Talita Veiga, currently undergoing chemotherapy, added that self-care is a “non-negotiable,” highlighting the importance of balancing resilience with vulnerability.
Integrating Mindfulness and Wellness into Busy Schedules
Incorporating wellness practices into a demanding schedule can seem daunting, but the panelists shared practical ways they’ve managed to prioritize self-care. Lauren emphasized the importance of blocking time on her calendar for activities like running, which brings her joy and keeps her grounded. “If you don’t write it down, it doesn’t exist,” she shared, underscoring the importance of intentional scheduling.
Bethanie, new to mindfulness, recommended tools like the Clever Fox Planner to stay on track, while Talita suggested creating a “dopamine menu”—a personalized list of activities that boost mood and offer relief from daily stress. Beatriz added that finding joy in small moments, such as a walk or listening to music, can be just as restorative as more formal wellness practices.
Gratitude and Connection as Self-Care
Caryn encouraged the group to view self-care as the accumulation of small, intentional actions, sharing her own practices of journaling daily and ending each day with reflections of gratitude. The app, Finch, is a great tool to help promote self-care in smaller steps.
In the closing moments of the discussion, Jen reminded the panelists and attendees that self-care is vital for mental and physical health, and should be embraced without guilt. She summed it up perfectly: “Self-care isn’t about indulgence, it’s about sustainability.”
Conclusion: Ongoing Conversations on Self-Care
As the conversation wrapped up, there was a collective agreement that self-care is not a “one size fits all” approach—it’s deeply personal, evolving, and essential for thriving in leadership roles. The panelists’ stories reinforced the idea that women in partnerships can and should prioritize their well-being, finding joy and balance in the process.
This session was just the beginning, with plans to continue the dialogue and explore new strategies in the coming months. As the women leaders emphasized, self-care isn’t just a professional advantage—it’s a personal responsibility that allows them to lead with strength and authenticity.
Tools and Resources
Clever Fox Planners: A daily and weekly planner designed to help you stay organized, set goals, and track progress, all while encouraging mindfulness and personal growth for better self-care.
HeadSpace: A meditation and mindfulness app offering guided sessions to help reduce stress, improve focus, and support mental well-being with easy-to-follow practices.
Finch App: A self-care app that helps you build healthy habits through personalized check-ins, positive reinforcement, and mood tracking, making self-care feel more accessible.
The Five Minute Journal: A guided gratitude journal that promotes self-reflection and positivity by encouraging users to focus on the good in just five minutes a day, boosting mental well-being.
Welcome Grief Group: A supportive community offering resources and safe spaces for individuals navigating grief, helping them process emotions and heal through shared experiences and connection.
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Balancing the demands of leadership with personal well-being is a significant challenge for women in high-pressure partnership roles. During a recent panel discussion hosted by Jen Waltz and Caryn Jervis, women leaders shared their candid experiences and strategies for self-care, emphasizing its importance in maintaining resilience, mental health, and overall balance.
