Mandatory Meeting with Myself

Dear reader,

From time-to-time, I’ll share a snippet of my “mandatory meeting with myself” on social media.

My friend, Geri Hirsch, recently reached out to me after seeing one of my snippets. She had a few questions for me, and was kind enough to share our conversation in her weekly newsletter, The In-Between (one of the few letters I subscribe to — highly recommend).

Online, I share a lot of fashion, family, food — but at the end of the day, these meetings (along with my other wellness practices) are some of my most sacred moments.

So I thought: why not share our conversation on my blog as well?

Below I share my conversation with Geri about my “mandatory meeting with myself.” Something I aim for daily, and makes a difference—a positive momentum—to how my days unfold.

Questions by Geri, answers by me.

xx Megan

You often share your "mandatory meeting with myself" at what appears to be dawn. How early are these meetings?

Around 5-5:30am, before the sun rises.

Can you tell us a little bit about your mandatory meeting practice?

It’s a time of solitude to check-in with myself, and “mandatory” in the sense that it’s the most important meeting I’ll have with anyone all day. I get it in early, before anyone else rises, so I can really have the space for myself without any task or obligation.

How often do you do this? Daily?

Daily is the goal. Realistically, it’s probably more like 4-5 days a week.

Is there a specific agenda or how do these meetings tend to go?

Naturally, I wake around 5am. Then I go downstairs to take my vitamins (my probiotic, glutathione, vitamin C), make my coffee, and find my place to settle into.

“My place” is typically by a natural element. If it’s warm enough, I go outside on our patio by our fire. If it’s too cool, I’ll settle inside by our fireplace.

I’m a very sensual person, so I “settle in” by taking in the moment as much as I can—feeling the warmth of the fire and the mug in my hands, listening to sound of buzzing insects or shuffling winds, tasting the notes in my coffee, etc.

After I settle for 15 minutes or so, I like to read a spiritual morning lesson (I love “Journey to the Heart” by Melody Beattie), journal a bit (either long-form or The Five Minute Journal), and meditate.

When I meditate (usually for 20 minutes), I use little “grounding tools” like aromatherapy oils and crystals. These tools help ground me in the moment and connect me to my intention.

What do you get out of them and how do they set the tone for your day or week?

For me, it’s medicine for life. I am a much more positive, patient, loving person when I have my morning solitude. Ultimately, I’m a more conscious person.

So much of our day is spent in “auto-pilot” mode, where we lose awareness in the ways we communicate and operate. My meetings with myself help me retain connection to myself — so that I’m more in the “drivers seat,” so to speak.

I think for a lot of us, the thought of waking up before everyone can feel exhausting. I know at least for me, I'm holding onto every moment of sleep I can get. But, you my friend, have a toddler and a newborn and still do it. What are the secrets? Is it bed early? No alcohol? No blue light by a certain time? Teach us your ways!

Quality sleep the most important thing for our overall health — so girlfriend, get it while you can.

But to answer your question: yes, I am an early-to-bed/early-to-rise type. I put both my babies to bed around 7:30pm (this is also when I say goodnight to my phone), and the first thing I do is get into a warm magnesium bath to relax my body.

After my bath, I lay in bed on top of my acupressure mat with a bare back. Lately, I wear my infrared mask for 20 while I do this.

Sometimes I’ll do legs up the wall, too, especially if it was a long day on my feet.

If my husband is with me (he’s not always up for my early bedtime), we’ll catch up and read a spiritual lesson together.

Ultimately, its a wind down routine that leads to lights out around 8:30-9pm, and a natural morning rise around 5am.

Oh, also: I’m not a big alcohol consumer. Alcohol makes me sleep worse, honestly.

Do you ever struggle to have the meetings with yourself? If so, how do you push through? Or do you give yourself grace and skip when you aren't feeling it?

Absolutely — I have two babies, and all moms know much is out of our control with kids.

I’ve had sleep-deprived mornings when I couldn’t show up to my meeting, but ultimately, the meeting wouldn’t have been productive without rest anyways.

So yes, I give myself grace.

What are your other favorite self-care rituals?

Nothing zens me out like my acupressure mat (fun fact: I labored on mine). Best $40 I’ve spent.

I also prioritize bi-weekly massages with cupping, which feels like a deep energetic release for both my mind and body.

Lastly, a good sweat — hot yoga, a sauna, a long run, etc.

And now for some fun ones:

Favorite beauty products as of late?

- I live for head-to-toe exfoliation (feels like a detox)! Love Goop’s Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo (subscribed), Furtuna’s Triple Active Face Exfoliator, and Osea’s Salts of the Earth body scrub. I also use a dry-brush before my showers.

Last fashion purchase?

- The Row’s “Awar" ballet flats — the buttery glove-like fit, feminine bow, and almond-shaped toe are so delicious.

Favorite dish to make in the fall?

- My simple apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

Mantra you live by?

- “You are always exactly where you need to be.”