I have been sharing with a Bush fellow finalist recently, so I feel like it is fresh in my mind. What I have been trying to stress is just how important it is to care for yourself. Every time I hear them share about their plans I encourage them to think about their self-development. They have asked me to help them as they start their journey (if selected) as a new fellow. I think what I would do is sit down with them as they organize their plan and budget. I feel I have a rhythm now with the plans Ive made and managing my budget. I'd like to share with them what Ive learned. What I would share is that this is their time. There will be time to give back, but now it is time to give back to yourself. It is likely they have been giving and giving to their family, their community members, their employees, and etc. They have likely experienced loss that they havent even had time to grieve. They've planned birthday parties, weddings, graduations, hosted gathering, cooked, and cleaned for many others, but now this time is for them. If hiring a house cleaner so they can have more time to focus on what brings them joy needs to be part of their plan, then that is what they should do. If creating a meditation room helps them on their journey to self love and healing, then that should be part of their plan. A lot of us are over achievers and over-extenders and that is what brought us here. But, now is the time to put that energy into refurbishing your foundation. I have had the pleasure of taking time for me and my family which has meant the world to me. I have traveled to meet new people that before the fellowship I did not know existed. I have been able to bring my family along on some of these experiences and to introduce them to some amazing people and places. It has taken me a little bit to get going though and I almost wish there was a restart button or an extension. It didnt help that I had a forces pause at the beginning of the fellowship when I broke my leg and had to have surgery. I feel like I am off and running so to speak now. I just returned from a BIPOC birth equity conference and am now gearing up to leave to an Indigenous Midwifery gathering tomorrow. I am really feeling like I am able to do more of what I love because of this time I am gifting myself with through the fellowship. I think, depending on the fellow, that it is important to have clear goals, take a look at opportunities that may be coming up and consider the unknowns. Unknowns may consist of experiences that may arise that you would have never dreamt of. Other unknowns may be connecting with someone who shares an amazing opportunity that would be perfect for your plan. There are some things that can be planned for and others that can be pleasantly (or unpleasant- like my leg break) welcomed. Overall, its time to take it down a couple notches so you can open up to the BIG opportunities that are about to come your way. Think big, think small, think self-care overall.