Something Old, Someone New.

Photo by Christiana Basso @KCBASSO

As I prepare for the transition into full-time entrepreneurship (eek!), I am focused on stepping into it as disciplined and grounded as possible. I have realized that this will be the first time I will ever get to fully dictate how my days go and while it feels scary, I am excited to see what I am made of.

Part of this journey has been getting back into my movement routines. Last year my migraines resurfaced and sidelined me from basically any physical activity. Now that I have a great treatment plan in place, I finally feel comfortable enough to ease back into some sort of movement practice. Yoga felt like the best option because of the practical aspects: I live within walking distance of a studio and I can choose the intensity level depending on my energy. I call yoga my “first fitness love” because stepping onto the mat introduced me to a whole new world. 

I went to my first class last week and wow wow wow. My first thought was that she (everything in my life has she/her pronouns lol) has not changed in the 3 years that I have stepped away from a consistent practice. The flow, the feel of the studio, the endorphin rush afterward. None of it has changed. It felt like a welcome back. Like a hug after being away from home for an extended period. Like just what I need to help me stay grounded in this transition. Because while I have changed so much since I stepped away, yoga has stayed the same. 

I returned to something old as someone new while nervous as heck. It was all a beautiful reminder that I can do this. This being full-time entrepreneurship, being disciplined, and staying grounded as I wade through this next chapter of my life.

Photo by Christiana Basso @KCBASSO

The Next Stop

I’ve been slowly leaking the news in different corners of my life. Putting it here gives it a real feel. Permanency. 

I am moving on from my nanny position (and my nanny life!) of 4+ years to pursue my postpartum doula business full time. For almost a year, I have been balancing my full-time job and being a business owner. While not easy, it has been more than worth it. A balancing act, indeed.

A few weeks ago, I started to feel a pull that I needed to make a choice about how I want to fully bring my business ideas to life. I know that they require my full attention and I could not bring myself to make a decision. During a rant session, my friend said the words that I had been avoiding: “This season is done” and I knew what choice I had to make. 

I’m a type A person and have a plan for the plan and a plan for that plan at any given time. The thought of leaving my position with a steady, reliable income feels uncomfortable, to say the least. But, this next chapter requires something different. It requires a blind trust and I decided I am ready to step up to the plate and give it all I’ve got.

Next comes the resignation from my nanny position. The thought of not seeing my tiny besties every day feels foreign. Their little arms hugging my legs at school pickup and the endless poop jokes are ingrained into my daily routine. So, imagine my surprise when my “can we talk?” text was met with news of their own. The stars aligned. We were both experiencing anxiety over if we were making the right choice and the fact that our decisions aligned in this way felt like confirmation that we are doing the right thing. 

Peeking into the next chapter feels exciting. My head is exploding with ideas for growing Nia’s Nest into all that I know it can be. Every day I feel more confirmed in the work that I do as a postpartum doula. I am excited to be sharing this next chapter with all that I am in community with. As Sylvie Brett said: “the stars aligned… it’s magic when that happens”. 

Stay tuned I spread Fourth Trimester Fairy energy all over Chicago!

Going Back Outside

Being able to pop into a class or space without a reservation is at the top of the list of things I miss about pre-pandemic life. As a nanny, outings and community events are how I keep myself and the children I care for socialized (and sane!).

Today, “G” (the 2 year old I care for) and I went to storytime for the first time in 2 years. While it wasn't his first storytime, it is the first one he remembers. The last time we attended G was nine months, and his sister (now 4.5) was only 2. While at storytime we ran into a friend and took our party to the playground for an impromptu playdate. It got me thinking about the good old days and how much I have missed these random playdates.

As the world starts to reopen and families start looking for ways to get out and connect with their community, I wanted to make it easy and share my favorite things to do around the city.

Hello Baby Chicago https://hellobabychgo.org/

Monday: Drop-in play from 9 am-4 pm at Hello Baby Chicago (https://hellobabychgo.org/) located in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the southside. Hello Baby is the nation's first (and only) free drop-in play space and provides southside families with a place to connect, play and learn.

Tuesday: Storytime at Lincoln Square's Sulzer Regional Library (https://www.chipublib.org/locations/67/) - one of Chicago's 79 library branches. They have two options for storytime (9:45 am and 10:30 am) and you can come early or stay after to play in their children's section which spans across the first floor of the library.

Adler Planetarium www.adlerplanetarium.org

Wednesday: Bop over to the Museum Campus for some after-school + work exploration and playtime at the Adler Planetarium (https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/) starting at 4 pm. Pack up your dinner and bring it with you so you can go straight to bedtime when you get home. Come for the play lab and stay to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan!

Thursday: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (https://naturemuseum.org/) in Lincoln Park houses the most beautiful butterfly exhibit along with a newly revamped play area. From 10 am-4 pm, explore and learn all about the bugs and plants that live among us. You could even make it a double fun day and walk 5 minutes south to Lincoln Park Zoo. LPZ is one of America's oldest zoos and one of the only free zoos in the country!

Garfield Park Conservatory https://garfieldconservatory.org

Friday: Embrace nature at the Garfield Park Conservatory (https://garfieldconservatory.org/) nestled in the heart of Chicago's west side. Their outdoor area is perfect for littles who have endless energy. I cannot think of a better way to foster our children's love for nature while city living.

All of these outings are lowkey, require no advanced reservation, and are conveniently accessible by car or public transit! Whether you have a bitty baby, toddler, or preschooler, all these spots are perfect for all ages and stages!

I am looking forward to sharing more ways and events for families to connect and build community in Chicago. When you hit these spots, make sure you follow and tag me in your posts over on Instagram @nias.nest