Last week, I mentioned that the recovery would start after the spotlights dimmed and the cast party was complete.

While it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, I didn’t realize how spot-on I would be. After nearly three months of rehearsals, it took over three days to physically recover from the three shows we performed. I was physically and emotionally drained. I also had my regular job to tend to. Did I manage to do it all? Not even remotely. As I said last week, “Nobody can do it all.”

I have friends who do this (and much more) for a living.

So, as I lay there, physically sore, my voice leaving me, my immune system shouting, “Hey, is there a cold out there for this guy?!” I realized a critical oversight: I failed to take care of myself. I hadn’t been on a stage in a year and didn’t remember the toll it took on me. Had I remembered, I would have done more.

I did the bare minimum self-care I could have done as I added more to my life and didn’t modify my behaviors.

So, let’s deconstruct the “coulda, woulda, shoulda” of my lack of self-care saga. Looking back, I could’ve played a few moves differently to avoid feeling like a worn-out sneaker after a marathon.

First off, sleep and I needed to be on better terms. I thought I was getting enough, but let’s be honest – “enough” was more of a guess than a fact. A solid sleep routine, like hitting the hay and waking up at the same time (even on weekends), could’ve been a game changer. Instead, I was inconsistent. I could have tossed in a few extra naps here and there because why not? Naps are glorious. But consistency was lacking.

Then there’s the whole eating thing. I munched on some greens and stayed hydrated, but my body probably craved more fuel than I gave it credit for. I relied on convenience and quick fixes instead of nutritionally dense foods. Sometimes, I’d eat after rehearsal (10pm or later) and skip dinner altogether. Instead of munching on candy in the green room, I could’ve amped my diet with more brain-boosting foods, like nuts, seeds, and those fancy omega-3s. I took a few apples. Once. And maybe I should have cut down on the caffeine. (Okay, definitely cut down on the caffeine.)

Exercise? You know I didn’t do enough. I told you last week I put kickboxing on the back burner. And as I reflect on my friends who do this regularly, I see that exercise is a big part of their routine. Some regular, low-impact activities could’ve helped big time. Note to myself: choreography and rushing to places are different from exercising. Next time, plan a brisk walk, some light stretching, or yoga. That could have kept my energy levels steady instead of peaking and crashing like a sugar rush.

And, yeah… the stress. I was juggling more balls than a circus performer. Stress management should’ve been my go-to. I’m talking about taking breaks, diving into hobbies that have nothing to do with work or the stage, and even meditating. 

Finally, I really need to work on overcommitting myself. I fall into this trap far too frequently. I’m so excited about saying, “Yes!” that I don’t stop to think if I should. Spreading myself too thin wasn’t just a possibility; it was my reality. Setting boundaries and understanding it’s okay to turn things down would’ve kept me from biting off more than I could chew. My payoff for the fun was exhaustion.

I’m an open book. I thrive, I fail, I get back up. If you’ve been around for any time, you know I share the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, there you have it…  my personal account on how I flubbed taking care of myself and the retrospection about what I could have done differently. Learn from my missteps. Balance isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce to not crashing and burning. Now, let’s hear your tales from the self-care trenches. What tricks do you have up your sleeve? What can we teach each other and ourselves?