The One Where Traci Got Lost in an Airport: A Wake-Up Call for Self-Care
I’m standing in an airport, staring up so intensely at the departure monitors you would think they held the secrets of the universe. Houston, we have a problem - I do not know where I am or where I am supposed to be going. It was the television upfronts season, which meant a whirlwind of travel, endless meetings, and presentations. Somewhere between all of that, I lost track of…well, everything.
No matter how hard I tried, I could not remember which airport I was in and which city I was headed. I had to ask the poor traveler next to me, "Excuse me, but do you know where we are?" After he looked at me incredulously and blinked twice, he kindly answered. Walking away, I’m sure he was thinking that I forgot to pack my medication.
At that moment, I realized I had burned myself out completely. There I was, feeling nothing but exhaustion, wishing for nothing more than to retreat to the comfort of my own bed and the warmth of my family. This disconnection from my surroundings at the airport served as a stark reminder of my depleted state. Even the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, my favorite work trip of the year, couldn’t pull me out of the funk. Drinking wine in some fabulous location with some fabulous people, and all I wanted was a map back to my sanity.
The safety announcement on the plane ride home that day never hit more hard. Put your oxygen mask on first.
This principle seems simple when cruising at 35,000 feet, but it's far more challenging to remember when we're grounded, caught up in the daily grind. We're conditioned to push through exhaustion, prioritize work over wellness, and help others before we've secured our own mask. Yet, what use are we to those we love and the dreams we chase if we're running on empty?
The airport episode was a turning point for me. I realized that in the relentless pursuit of professional success and trying to be there for everyone else, I had neglected the most crucial person in the equation—myself. This wasn't just about feeling tired or disoriented; it was a profound neglect of my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It was a stark reminder that before I could be effective in my work, present for my family, or contribute meaningfully to my community, I needed to take care of myself.
Embarking on a journey to prioritize my health wasn't an overnight transformation. It required intentional steps and small but consistent changes that gradually became integral parts of my routine. It meant setting boundaries, learning to say no, adopting healthier habits, and, most importantly, making time for self-care and reflection. It wasn't always easy, but the payoff was immense.
Here are my top 10 lessons learned while recovering from my work-life crash landing:
Recognize the Signs: If you’re asking strangers what city you’re in, it might be time to slow down. Seriously.
Define Your Why, What, and How: Get clear on what you want, why you want it, and how you will get there. We all need a filter to live by. Create yours.
Set Boundaries & Reduce: Now that you have your filter - say no. Saying no is not a crime. It’s self-preservation. The most successful people I know subtract from their calendar, not add.
Move Your Body: Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or awkward dancing in your living room—just move.
Get Good Sleep: Sounds so simple, but most of us aren’t getting enough deep, sound sleep.
Fuel Your Body: Eat food that makes you feel good, not like you need a nap. (Looking at you, donuts.)
Mental Check-Ins: Whether meditation, therapy, or just talking to your plants—find what calms your mind.
Never Stop Learning: It’s never too late—we feel more connected to life when learning something new.
Get Spiritual (Or At Least Reflective): Whether it’s faith or just a quiet moment to think, find what gives you a sense of peace.
Connect with Other Humans: Nothing fuels the soul like a good laugh and a long hug. Don’t go it alone. We are all in this together.
At the end of the day, life isn’t about just surviving. It’s about thriving (and maybe not losing your mind at the airport). So, take care of yourself first. You’ll be amazed at how much better everything else works when you do.
Traci Schubert Barrett is a sought-after international speaker and best-selling author of What If There’s More? Finding Significance Beyond Success, and the founder of Navigate the Journey, a leading business consulting and leadership development firm.
As one of the founders of the wildly popular national cable television network HGTV, she enjoyed the amazing ride of taking a fledgling idea and turning it into a billion-dollar media empire. But after over twenty years in the media industry, Traci began to wonder, what if there’s more to our vocational lives than success? In a leap of faith, she quit her executive job and went on a soul-searching journey, leading her to create the Strategic Life Map process.
With a Master's in Professional Psychology and over 30 years of business experience, Traci specializes in coaching C-suite executives and business leaders, helping them define their greatest impact and create clarity for the future chapters of their lives.
