Capa-city.

There’s something about flying that gets me all kinds of melodramatic. I’m sure when I read this after we’ve landed I’ll be like SERRRRRIOUSLY NICOLE!!

Alas. Here we are.

Two days ago, I made an IG story that was so damn funny and clever with perfect lighting (you know how obsessed I am with lighting, right?). When I went to share it, it had recorded w no sound.

Awesome.

In this now useless video, I was explaining I didn’t have capacity to write my weekly email even though I’d hit like a 28 week streak on Substack.

Substack’s telling me I hit a streak is brilliant bc a) that’s kinda cool to see b) it obviously motivates me to continue and c) feels like a trap.

Do I keep going for the streak?

Do I honor my LACK of capacity?

Do I just rally to persevere bc doing tough stuff is valuable cognitively speaking?

Currently I’m sitting in my upright narrow, leather-ish airline seat filled with my IN AIR HIGH as I like to call it.

In the air…

I have deep thoughts.

I cry more easily.

I feel closer to spirit and the grandness of it all.

Turns out tending to your capacity is a full time job and absolutely improvable. Capacity is also definable per your willingness to explore it.

In LA 2 days ago, I was at capacity for writing. Somewhere over the Pacific today at 2:50pm pst, I’m able to peck into my phone and reexamine the big picture.

Capacity as defined by Dictionary.com is “the maximum amount that something can contain. The amount that something can produce.”

In my podcast interview with Dr. Kate Jones (that airs today) we discuss maintaining capacity and how absolutely necessary it is for good health mentally, physically, and spiritually. Dr. Kate is masterful at explaining this and she makes wonderful points over the course of our chat. We agreed that during Covid times it became glaringly obvious that most of us were operating at capacity, 97% of the time, BEFORE the world began to unravel.

With mixed messages thrown in, folks simply did not have the reserves (or tools) to manage their lives, let alone themselves.

Some of us have incredible capacity to thrive in chaos, some of us have incredible capacity to nurture others before ourselves, some of us have capacity to say NO with clear boundaries and assurance.

Some of us are AT capacity as we read this.

All of us need a proper once over to determine where we land each day.

Here’s my typical daily checklist.

It’s not revolutionary.

Upon waking, I put my hands over my heart and basically warp speed gratitude via prayer and affirming statements like “thank you God for letting me wake up today. Thank you for this bed. Thank you for this new fresh day. I know there will be excitement and miracles coming my way. I’m so so grateful. Thank you for my son, my family, my friends, my dog, thank you thank you thank you”.

I drink my salty lemon water and talk to the water (thanking it) as I take my morning supplements and prepare my chicory root and coffee.

I meditate for 10 minutes while my coffee brews.

I usually then work out.

That is the shedding of yesterday’s nonsense, worry, and garbage that may still be lingering.

I’m physically and mentally creating capacity for whatever is being asked of me.

I interact w my nearest and dearest humans over the course of the day. Usually long voice notes or phone calls while driving bc these souls hold me accountable, believe in my greatness, and build the safety net for my questions and concerns.

Lastly I read. An excerpt from a book of wisdom or spiritual text that becomes a through line for my life. It’s the nourishment that leaves a taste in my mind for expansion.

These five(ish) rituals reenforce my capacity because I’m constantly working in small doses to sweep out the old and build from the ground up.

Sometimes that “up” is 35,000 ft in the air and sometimes it’s the “waking up” on a Tuesday to do the things.

As I finish this email, I’m in the most stunning home (thank you to Matt’s cousin - who I’ve now claimed as my cousin) overlooking the most stunning creation - the island of Hawaii.

Without a doubt our nervous systems are listening. When we have no capacity left and you’ve tried the rituals - maybe it’s the city that needs the boot.

It’s all a blessing. Creating our capacity, any way you slice it, is an inside job.

Mahalo.

OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE

xx

Nic.

ps. CLASSES THIS WEEK:

• Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA (today) from the island of Hawaii. 12pm pst/3pm est. $10. This class will be a 30 minute loving mobility based flow. It’s meant for all levels and ages. I created it as a community class and would love for you to join. Sign up here.

pps. APRIL FIT 2024. We have some time (thanks spring break) before our next session begins and I’d loooooove for you to join us this round. This month, we’ll be meeting Friday 4/5 at 9am PST / 12pm EST for about an hour and per usual it’s “SWEAT-FREE” however we will be doing a bit more “work in” than working out. We will be sharing quick intros, answering questions and participating in a visualization/meditation on future you . We will also be doing a little bit of homework that I’ll share in detail (different than last month’s assignment) on our call but please know this is a short and powerful ask that will absolutely help elevate you in whatever ways you’re willing to grow. Of course we’ll start our regular strength training the following day Saturday 4/6 with a full body class and if you can’t make these classes live, you’ll have them on demand for the month as always.

Here is the breakdown:

Every class begins and ends with CARS. We have cardio dance breaks in each strength training session and all the classes go up ON DEMAND if you can't make it live. My monthly programs are made to be digestible and accessible above all else.

If you consider how quickly 35 minutes goes by and just how much we can accomplish in that time, you know it's a sweet deal. Saturdays are 45 minutes so we have more time to train, to dance and to GET STILL. My body has changed drastically because of this consistent work and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is a perfect month for your to join. I feel it. Sign up here.

ppps. Do you see Matt in the sunset photo? His orb. Always with me…

pppps. EPISODE 14 OF SHOCK AND YALL IS OUT NOW. Today I’m speaking with the ravishing, intelligent, fierce and thoughtful DR. KATE JONES. She is well versed in chiropractics and energy healing, Dr. Kate enlightens us on navigating burnout, embracing our nervous system's wisdom, and the art of living a harmonized life. Our chat circles around finding balance, the importance of embodying your central prayer, and the transformative power of confronting life’s challenges with resilience. Also we get a little unhinged, so you’ve been warned! So excited for you to hear this one. Please share, like, comment, download and review. Or pick one but get excited because it’s good!