79: A Soft Landing for the Soul after 5:00

In this episode of Passion, Purpose, and Paychecks, I talk about something so many of us silently struggle with: how to separate work from home. For the past two months I’ve been recovering from a broken ankle, and even while working from my dining room table, I’ve learned that “being home” and “being present” are two different things. Some days I close my laptop and sit in my car with the engine running, not going anywhere, just letting the day melt off of me. Other days I lean on something simple and grounding, like a warm cup of tea. No notifications, no emails—just steam, breath, and quiet.

In this episode, I share three gentle, practical ways to transition out of “work mode” without carrying stress into your evening: creating a closing ritual, building a bridge between work-self and home-self, and actually greeting your home before you let it pull you into chores and caretaking. These are not lofty wellness practices—just small acts of intention that remind your nervous system, “The shift is over. I am more than my to-do list.”

Whether you’re sitting in your driveway, commuting on the bus, or feeling the weight of your laptop bag on your shoulder, I invite you to reclaim your evenings. You deserve a calm entry into your own life. You deserve peace when you walk through your front door.