International Women’s Day and Daylight Saving Time: Power and Light.

Hello my friends~

I’m writing on International Women’s Day, and as we begin Daylight Saving Time this week, it seems like a wonderful correlation, a metaphor of women’s power and light. I think it’s fitting that DST aligns with International Women’s Day, as both represent progression, one of time, the other as a call for women to continue to claim our strength and power.

Today I’m celebrating you with all my heart – all of the women in my life and in my community, especially the women who are closest to me. My 2 strong and beautiful daughters, 2 sisters, 4 daughters-in-law, 4 sisters-in-law, 8 granddaughters, 6 nieces, and my awesome clients.

You enhance my life, and you challenge me to be a better woman.

International Women’s Day. Claiming our power and our place in the light.

The first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911. Since then we’ve achieved the right to vote, but were still battling sexism in many forms, discrimination against women and girls. I fear for women’s progress in the current political climate, but I feel hopeful seeing news of gatherings, marches, and protests today.

While celebrations during Women’s history Month have reportedly been censored and shot down across the country as a result of Trump’s anti-DEI purge, we can claim our own strength and power.

Women lift the world. We can make noise, show up, stand up for women athletes, and women political leaders, and those who support women and girls. We can make powerful personal statements every day by breaking norms of what women have traditionally been “expected” to be like. Getting older feels like a superpower to me, as I preach and live by the belief that we can continue to train anything we want to do. We literally lift the world, as women, mothers, grandmothers. We lift one another.

As we welcome longer days, each day can offer renewed energy and optimism. Take up space, proceed with intention, and meet each day boldly and with confidence. Commit to staying strong, doing things that you love. We can ignore obstacles, get up, and keep moving.

Building physical strength leads to resilience and durability, which together are a force for empowerment. Building strength as women (which can happen in a huge variety of ways), will fortify our bodies and strengthen minds too – strong bodies, spirits, and voices will empower every part of our lives.

Springing forward: A promise to make the most of my days.

These are my plans for the warmer, lighter season. They don’t involve losing weight, lifting heavier, rowing or biking faster or longer – there are no goals for personal records. These are self-nurturing activities that will make the most of this spring and summer season. There is no question that strength and fitness training are an essential factor in enabling me to do all of the things I love. My commitment is to help every woman to get strong and stay strong to do the same.

1. Getting back into the soil
Gardening can be a workout, hauling big pots, deadlifting bags of soil. Every year I love the promise of tiny seedlings growing into mature plants in a matter of weeks. I promise not to over buy this year.

2. Sunrise.
I post sunrise photos often, but it’s never easy to get up super early, and there are mornings that I am so tempted to skip it. It’s so much easier and worth popping on a t-shirt snd shorts and zipping out the door, instead of putting on piles of layers on freezing winter mornings. It’s 5 minutes by bike, so no excuses.

3. Shifting energy outdoors.
Strength training is so much more fun outdoors, and I’m planning to do more road, gravel, and mountain bike rides too.

4. Time in the woods.
I’ve resolved to get out in nature more often. Especially with kids, to explore more Monmouth County and New Jersey parks. We’re so lucky to have so many park systems offering wonderful opportunities to connect with nature and history.

5. I want to allow more time for simple, pleasurable things like just being silly, playing with kids.

Are there things that could be essential to your balanced, joyful, personally empowered life?

What are your plans for this spring and summer? I’d love to know!

Onward~

x

Polli