This isn’t an isolated incident. A lot of people seem to think everyone should be reachable at all times. It’s an expectation that’s creeping into everything we do, and to be frank, it’s a pretty crappy attitude to have.

Work Should Not Be a 24/7 Hotline

In many professional settings, there’s this unspoken notion that being “on” every second proves you’re dedicated and productive. But guess what? Constant availability is a shortcut to burnout. People need breathing room — focused stretches without interruptions, breaks to recharge, and the freedom to step away from their screens without guilt.

At a previous job, a manager once insisted they needed to know where I was at all times. Pardon my French, but oh hell no. Just because I’m not posting videos about HR while in bed at night doesn’t mean I don’t care about my work. I just care about it during work hours. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t step in if something was genuinely urgent. But most things aren’t.

And this goes beyond the office. Outside of work, friends, family, and acquaintances might expect immediate replies, forgetting that you might be driving, eating dinner, or just enjoying a quiet moment.

It’s Probably Not an Emergency

I hate to break it to you, but unless we’re talking about life or death, most so-called “urgent” requests aren’t nearly as critical as you think. We’ve gotten way too comfortable slapping that label on everything. In reality, most questions can wait a few hours, or maybe even a full business day, without the world imploding.

Not thrilled with a minor detail in a project deliverable? Take a breath, think it over, and share your feedback when your contact is back online. No one should be flatlining because a font size isn’t big enough.

Boundaries are Good for Everyone

Having established working hours for checking emails and messages isn’t selfish — it’s practical and respectful. It shows that you value your well-being and want to bring your best self to the table. When colleagues, clients, and managers understand that you’re not a 24/7 customer service bot, they adjust their expectations accordingly.

The same principle applies to life. A friend texts you at 9 p.m.? If you’re tired, reading a book, or catching up on your favorite show, it’s perfectly fine to respond the next day. Giving yourself permission to unplug is crucial for maintaining balance.

There are Better Ways to Communicate

• Give It Time: Before firing off a follow-up message five minutes later, let it breathe.
• Be Polite in Reminders: If you must follow up, try a kind “Just circling back” instead of all-caps, multiple question marks, or texting someone’s boss.
• Prioritize Your Tasks: If waiting for a reply is making you antsy, direct your nervous energy elsewhere. Knock out another task, take a short walk, or just step away from your screen for a moment. (As my Gen Z comrades say, touch grass.)

Don’t Just Set Boundaries at Work

While I’m focusing on a work scenario, this mindset applies everywhere. We’re humans. We’re not meant to jump at every message. We have obligations and hobbies — and sometimes we just need to zone out and do nothing. Normalizing slower response times makes room for healthier dynamics in all areas of life.

At the end of the day, a 15-minute delay in responding to an email or returning a phone call isn’t a catastrophic event. It’s a reminder that we could all use a little more patience and a lot less panic. Give people space to work at a reasonable pace, respect their boundaries, and realize that “urgent” rarely means “right this second.” Seriously guys, it’s not that hard.

The post It’s Not That Urgent: Rethinking Instant Replies at Work (and Life) appeared first on Janna Stevens.

If you’re already feeling the strain, here’s your seasonal reminder that you don’t have to do it all. In fact, you shouldn’t. Protecting your energy isn’t selfish — it’s essential.

Hibernation Isn’t Just for Bears

Does the early sunset and chilly air make you want to curl up under a blanket and avoid everything? As my therapist likes to remind me, that’s not laziness — it’s biology. Humans are mammals, and many mammals slow down during the colder months. While we may not hibernate in caves, our energy naturally dips in winter.

Give yourself permission to move slower, rest more, and take things off your plate. Productivity does not make the season brighter, and slowing down isn’t a bad thing.

The Real Kind of Self-Care

Self-care isn’t just fuzzy socks and candles (although I do love them). Sometimes, it’s choosing to skip a cookie swap because you don’t want to spend your only free evening baking three dozen snickerdoodles. Sometimes, it’s a firm “No thank you” to a party invite that feels more like a chore than fun.

“No” is a full sentence, and “I don’t want to” is a valid reason. Anyone who respects you won’t need further explanation.

Move Mindfully

Holiday stress takes up residence in your body. You may have already noticed that your shoulders are tight, your jaw is clenched, or that you have a nagging headache. This is where mindful movement can help. You don’t need to go to a 90-minute yoga class or do anything fast-paced (unless you want to). Mindful movement is anything that gets you out of your head and into your body, even for five minutes.

Try these quick postures when you’re feeling frazzled:

1. Forward Fold: Let your head hang heavy and breathe. Bend your knees as much as you need to to fully sink into the fold and let your spine decompress.
2. Cat-Cow: Flow slowly between these poses and imagine the tension rolling off your back.
3. Child’s Pose: Sink your hips back, stretch your arms forward, and rest your forehead on your mat or a pillow.
4. Seated Side Stretch: Sit cross-legged and gently reach one arm overhead, leaning to the opposite side.
5. Legs Up the Wall: Like on your back with your legs resting against a wall. This is one of my favorite restorative poses for a reset and gentle relaxation.

Meditate Without Meditating

Finding stillness is vital during the holidays, but sitting in silence can feel impossible (or just plain torturous for some!) The good news is that mindfulness doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged with your thoughts. Sneak mindfulness into your days with these ideas:

• If you’re wrapping gifts: Focus on the sound of the scissors, the texture of the paper, and the motion of folding. Sip hot chocolate or mulled wine and make it a ritual, not a race.
• At dinner: Put your phone away, skip the TV, and focus on your meal. Notice the flavors, textures, and smells.
• Driving to events: Soak in the holiday lights or your favorite music. Let yourself be present (but maybe skip this one if you’re sitting in heavy traffic — it’s not exactly calming for anyone).

Just remember that mindfulness is about being where you are, not where your brain wants to drag you next.

Boundaries Are Your Bestie

Boundaries aren’t mean or selfish — they’re necessary. The holidays have a sneaky way of turning your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth into public property. Declining an invitation doesn’t make you a Grinch, and skipping a tradition you dislike won’t ruin the season.

Think of boundaries as the ultimate gift to yourself (and honestly, to others too). They protect your peace, your energy, and your ability to show up when it really matters.

Reclaim the Season

The holidays don’t have to be a marathon of stress, hustle, and pressure. Most of the expectations we’re accustomed to are human constructs, and it’s okay to ditch them. Instead, make the season yours. Protect your energy, move your body, and focus on what actually matters to you. Say no without guilt. Show up where it feels right. And remember: doing less isn’t lazy — it’s liberating.

The post (Protect Your) Peace on Earth During the Holidays appeared first on Janna Stevens.

When I began my yoga teaching journey, I had a lot of big goals. I aimed to wake up every morning to meditate. I planned to practice asana every day. I was prepared to supplement my yoga practice with strength training. In other words, I wanted to be the kind of teacher who set a good example for students. But life often has other plans. And when there’s a pandemic looming over our heads and affecting every aspect of our lives, we do what we have to do to get through the days, the weeks, and the months.

I spent an inordinate amount of time in my teens and twenties striving for perfection. If I reread something in my journal that seemed irrelevant or silly to me, I started a new journal — it’s how I’ve amassed an embarrassingly hefty collection of notebooks over the years. If I wasn’t good at a task or activity immediately, I’d feel so discouraged that I’d quit (it’s why I still claim to dislike the game Settlers of Catan after only playing it once). Going through yoga teacher training was actually the kick in the ass I needed to not only accept imperfection but also develop a reverence for it.

Practice is the goal.

I’m not a perfect yogi. I’m not a perfect skater. I’m not perfect at anything I do, and I feel okay saying that now. Yoga teacher training showed me that practice is the goal. Patanjali’s first yoga sutra, Atha yoganusasanam, or “now we begin the practice of yoga” was the first lesson my instructors discussed to kick off my training. The more I thought about this, the more I realized that every time we step on our mat, sit to meditate, lace up our skates, or work on breathing techniques, we’re starting a practice. It’s the epitome of “come as you are.” It’s more about the journey than a particular destination. So, as you read my blog, speak to me in person, or take a class from me, please remember that my goal is never to be perfect or to encourage you to be perfect. It’s to be real and connect with you through the real. It’s to meet you where you are and guide you with the knowledge I’ve amassed as a teacher. Ultimately, my goal is to support you. We’re all on our own journeys, and the most important thing we can do for one another is cheer each other on.

The post Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect (And That’s Okay) appeared first on Janna Stevens.