If you’re a high-achieving, Type A woman, you know this feeling well…

Your schedule is packed. Everyone wants a piece of your time. You’re constantly balancing family, career, relationships, and a million other things. 

And yet, you keep saying yes to “just one more thing.”

Sound familiar?

Recently, I learned a powerful lesson about saying no and reclaiming my energy. And it all started with… a bike…

Learning to Ride (as a Grown-Up!)

Confession: I’m an indoor kid.

I’ve always been active and athletic, but growing up I was a dancer and a theater kid, not a sports kid. So “it’s like riding a bike” never really applied to me.

That changed this summer when my son learned to ride his bike. He wanted to ride together, and I wanted to join him. So, I got a used bike and started practicing.

And you know what? I love it. I love riding with him to the bagel shop, hearing all about his birthday party plans, and feeling like a kid again! Well…not again because I was never a kid riding a bike so like a kid riding a bike for the first time! 

I love it so much that I now ride my bike to the Pilates studio to teach! 

But this story isn’t really about the bike. It’s about what the bike taught me.

Saying No to Say Yes to Myself

Around the same time as I became a “Biker Rider,” my son started kindergarten. As any parent knows, this kind of transition is an emotional hurricane. Kids come home completely drained, erratic, and spent. I knew this was coming, so I prepared my mind, body, spirit, AND calendar.

I promised myself I would…

• Prioritize exercise because it keeps me grounded
  
• Say no to extra commitments – Not already on my calendar? Not happening.
  
• Leave space for my family to adjust aka emotional hurricanes aka “Weather”
  

I even said this out loud to my dance friends so I’d be accountable.

Then, like clockwork, I got a text asking if I could sub a class.

The old me would’ve jumped at the opportunity to meet new people. But I remembered my promise. I said no.

And in that moment, I showed myself, and the universe, that I matter.

The Power Is Inside the Ride

One day, as I was biking to the studio, it hit me:

Except…I don’t just have power.

I AM the power.

That’s what I love most about biking. I’m not outsourcing my power to an engine or machine — I’m insourcing it. I am the energy that gets me where I want to go.

And this is true for you too.

You are the power. Your energy is your greatest asset. And it’s time to start treating it that way.

Protect Your Energy Like The Luxury Item It Is

Taylor Swift says on her fiancé’s podcast that she treats her energy like a luxury item. It’s expensive. Not everyone can afford it.

Your energy is precious. It’s valuable. Not everyone should have unlimited access to it. You don’t owe it to everyone, and certainly not all the time.

Think about luxury brands:

• Apple doesn’t apologize for the price of its products
  
• Chanel isn’t worried if not everyone can afford its bags
  
• Beyoncé isn’t toning herself down for anyone and neither is Taylor – yes, we’re on a first-name basis now 😉
  

You’re no different. You are the luxury item. You are the power.

The Real Reason for Self-Care

People love to say, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And that’s true. But here’s the thing: You deserve to take care of yourself even if no one else benefits from it.

You don’t need to justify your boundaries, rest, or joy by saying, “It helps me show up for others.” You deserve to take care of yourself because you matter. Period.

Your Next Step

So, here’s your challenge…

Do something vulnerable this week.

Say no when you’d normally say yes. Protect your energy like the luxury item it is.

Whether it’s biking around town, taking a dance class, or simply doing less, remember…

You don’t just have the power.

You ARE the power.

As always, I’ve got your back. I’ve got your front. And I’ve got your undercarriage.