Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
How Rest, Nature, and Movement Helped Me Reset During a Tough Week
Darlene Hawley
A real-life story on navigating burnout, honoring invisible illness, and finding peace in unexpected places.
Some weeks feel heavier than others.
A few weeks ago I had one of those weeks while my kids were home for Spring Break.
I was in a funk, and couldn’t seem to shake my low energy no matter how many to-dos I checked off or how many deep breaths I took between Zoom calls.
I needed a reset.
So, I decided to take a day off and head to the beach with my kids for the day. A day of play, sunshine, sand, salty air and my toes in the sand felt like the perfect escape. But life had other plans.
As soon as we got on the road, lights started popping up on the dashboard. Error codes, warnings. (it turns out it's my transmission)
It was one of those moments where you just sigh a long deep breath and go, of course. The beach was out.
I had a choice: turn the car back around and go back home and call it a day, or find another way to shift the energy.
We ended up being right off the exit to Fallbrook and decided to go for a hike instead. The trail was quiet. The air was fresh. The sun peeked through the trees. My kids were laughing, exploring, and moving their bodies. And somewhere between the first mile and the last, something shifted.
My mood lifted. My body softened. My breath deepened.
It wasn’t the original plan, yet it was exactly what I needed.
Sometimes, self-care looks like a full beach day. Other times, it’s simply choosing to step away from the screen, move your body, and let nature do its thing.
We often wait until we’re completely burnt out to care for ourselves. What if we didn’t? What if we paid attention to the subtle signals... the funk, the fatigue, the brain fog, the feeling of being disconnected and gave ourselves what we needed before we crashed?
That day was a reminder.
Movement matters
Being present with the people I love helps ground me
Plans falling apart can make space for something even better
Caring for myself doesn’t need to be complicated
If you’re in a funk right now, know you’re not alone.
Maybe it’s your sign to take a walk around the block and look at all the blooming flowers, get some fresh air, or just give yourself a moment to breathe and reset.
You deserve it.
Here are a few simple reset ideas that have helped me over the past few weeks when I feel off:
Step outside for a 10-minute walk (leave the phone on the kitchen counter and just enjoy the fresh air)
Put on your favorite playlist and move your body (here is one i use when I need to get energized) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ca6rFiMjcURoms5O0xtED?si=I4pJK4Y_RaayONEE5Opdaw&pt=51ebf2fe076e364704b3f68046553d75&pi=u-
Call a friend who gets you... no fixing, just connection
Take a tech-free hour (or even 15 minutes)
Make a warm cup of chai and sip it slowly, without multitasking
Write down 3 things that are going well... even if they’re tiny
Let go of the plan and follow what feels good in the moment
Sometimes the smallest shift can create the biggest ripple.
The truth is, many of us are carrying things others can’t see... whether it’s the weight of an invisible illness, emotional burnout, feeling like you're alone, or simply the quiet exhaustion of being everything to everyone. And while the world often celebrates pushing through, I’ve learned that our true strength lies in knowing when to pause, reset, refresh and care for yourself.
So let me ask you this, What would shift if you gave yourself permission to rest... not because you’ve earned it, but simply because you need it?
You don’t have to wait for a breakdown to prioritize your well-being. You can choose to listen now.
Speaking of refreshing, does your signature offer need a refresh or do you need to create a new offer for this new time?
Last weeks Refresh Your Signature Offer roundtable was exactly the kind of conversation we need more of in business: honest, vulnerable, supportive, and strategic.
Women from all kinds of industries came together with one shared truth:
We are still wildly passionate about our work... but we’re also feeling the shifts in buyer behavior, sales cycles, and messaging that just isn’t landing like it used to.
The desire to make a real impact hasn’t changed. But the way we communicate our value? That needs a refresh.
If you missed the roundtable—or if you attended and left thinking “I know I need help doing this for myself”—I created something for you:
✨ The VIP Offer Refresh Intensive
A private 90-minute working session where we’ll:
✔ Refine or rewrite your signature offer so it resonates right now
✔ Position your message to get more “yeses” from aligned clients
✔ Align your pricing and delivery with today’s market without compromising your mission
💬 You’ll also receive a 30-minute follow-up call
to review your launch, troubleshoot sales convos, and tweak as needed.
💛 Your Investment is just $797
You do not need to build something new from scratch.
You don’t need to hustle harder.
You need to tell the truth of your work in a way your people can hear, trust, and buy into today.
If you’re ready, I’d be honored to support you.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
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