Hiring Myself

For a long time, I gave advice that I was not fully applying to my own life.

Not because I did not believe in it.

Not because I did not understand it.

But because it is sometimes easier to care for others than it is to slow down and offer yourself the same level of intention.

This past month, something shifted.

I realized that I did not need more information. What I needed was structure. Consistency. And the willingness to apply what I already knew in a way that fit my actual life.

In other words, I needed to hire myself.

By that, I mean treating my own time, energy, and nourishment with the same professionalism and care I bring to my work with others.

Practicing What I Teach

One morning, I was driving to one of my internship sites knowing it was going to be a long day. I did not wait to see how hungry I would get or what food might be available. I prepared.

I packed my lunch.

This sounds simple, but it matters. Preparation changes how the day unfolds. When food is predictable, my energy is more predictable. My mood is steadier. I am not distracted by hunger or thinking about when I will be able to eat next.

If you have ever felt irritable, unfocused, or overly preoccupied with food during a long day, this kind of predictability can feel surprisingly stabilizing.

I am very routine oriented. I eat breakfast and lunch at roughly the same time each day, with dinner in the evening. That predictability helps me feel grounded. It helps me stay satiated. It keeps me from hyper fixating on my next meal.

I still indulge on occasion. That has not changed. But structure creates space for flexibility. Without structure, flexibility often turns into chaos.

Small Decisions That Add Up

I also started bringing seasonal fruit with me. Pears, apples, bananas. Foods that travel well and do not require refrigeration.

It helps that it is winter. The frigid temperatures turn my car into a makeshift refrigerator when needed. Instead of seeing that as an inconvenience, I used it to my advantage.

This is what alignment often looks like in real life. Not perfection. Just practical problem solving.

When food is available, nourishing, and familiar, it becomes supportive instead of stressful.

Thinking Back on What Actually Worked

As I started paying closer attention, I found myself thinking back on what had worked for me in the past.

There were periods when I walked regularly, not intensely, just consistently. During those times, I built muscle mass, felt stronger in my body, and supported my goal of maintaining a healthy, capable physique. My energy was steadier. My appetite cues were clearer.

I also reflected on times when I used my nutrition skills to identify where I was falling short. When I intentionally filled those gaps, whether it was protein, regular meals, or overall adequacy, my energy improved noticeably.

None of this was dramatic. It was practical. And it worked.

Right now, I genuinely have more energy than I did before. The difference has come from simple changes applied consistently, not from doing more or trying harder.

What I Am Still Working On

Movement is the next area I am intentionally rebuilding.

I know how supportive regular movement can be, but without structure, it becomes inconsistent. At the moment, I am focused on creating a realistic framework that fits into my daily life instead of forcing something rigid or idealized.

Some days that means a short walk. Some days it means acknowledging that movement did not happen and returning to it the next day without judgment.

Hiring myself has not meant doing everything at once. It has meant identifying what is missing and addressing it honestly.

Removing What No Longer Serves a Purpose

Alongside food and routines, I started removing things from my environment that no longer had a purpose. Physical clutter. Unnecessary commitments. Habits that created friction instead of support.

This process was quiet, but meaningful.

When distractions and inefficiencies are reduced, follow through becomes easier. It also reinforces the idea that my time and energy are worth protecting.

The Moment It Clicked

At some point, I caught myself thinking, why am I not practicing what I am encouraging others to do?

Not from a place of guilt, but from clarity.

I already knew how to observe patterns, adjust inputs, and support energy and stability. Applying that same approach to myself felt less like self improvement and more like alignment.

Hiring myself meant trusting what had already worked. It meant showing up for my body consistently instead of operating on autopilot.

-Jennifer Youngren, Pumpkin House Nutrition