Does your self-care closet need a refresh?

Note: A version of the following will appear in the July 3, 2026 edition of the Estes Park News.

Last week I finally swapped out my spring closet for my summer wardrobe.

As I was deciding what to pack away for another season versus what to donate to the thrift shop, I quickly held on to my tried-and-true favorites, unable to bear the thought of not being able to wear them whenever I wanted. 

I put a few other adored items into storage, knowing I would cycle those back through in a few months. I just needed a little break to miss them. 

Then I found myself pausing a little too long to consider some tops a friend had given me.

When she showed them to me, they looked adorable, but after having tried to wear them several times, they just…didn’t quite fit right. I wanted to like them but they just weren’t right for me. Into the donation trash bag they went. 

Later that week I had a conversation with a client about how he was trying to get himself to stay consistent with rowing. “I know it’s such a great workout, and I really need and want to get back into exercising, but I just haven’t been able to stick with it regularly.”

Suffering from chronic shoulder pain and numbness as well as an accompanying depression related to the accident that caused it, rowing was demanding for him—physically and mentally.  

When we dived deeper into his simultaneous desire and resistance, he shared that he felt like he should row because every fitness blogger and Instagram influencer out there was shoving the benefits down his throat—and also because he had already invested in a row machine and felt obligated to get his money’s worth. But it just wasn’t working for him.

“What about pilates or yoga or even a longer walk with some sprint intervals mixed in, especially on those days when you’re really struggling?” I threw out there. “What’s important is that you commit to the habit of exercise,” I continued. “That you move your body in any way that gets your body to trigger a cascade of physiological and psychological benefits of exercise. And any way you will actually move is better than not moving at all.”

He looked at me like I’d been the first person to suggest pineapple and ham on pizza. “I thought if I wasn’t working up a sweat and really pushing myself hard it didn’t count.”  Oh, boy. 

When it comes to taking care of ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally—just like clothes, there is not a one-sized-fits-all “best” approach. 

Sure, there are things that the research says are better for a large group of people. Things that might be working well for your brother-in-law Kyle or your book club friend Brenda. Things that maybe even at one time worked well for you.

But just like the clothes in your closet, you have to be willing to go through and weed out what doesn’t fit—and, when appropriate, to go shopping for what you need in this season. 

That’s why I created the Beyond Meditation Workshop. Because as a yoga instructor, I was told time and again that sitting meditation was the queen bee’s knees. Except after years of a near-daily practice, it started to not feel like that to me anymore.

And I happened to read an article in Psychology Today about how it wasn’t good or recommended for (and might actually be detrimental to) certain groups of people, namely those with PTSD, severe anxiety or depression, or other mental health considerations. 

Turns out, that wasn’t the only research available and even the sutras (the ancient texts from which yoga has been passed down over millenia) warned that it could induce temporary or even sometimes permanent psychosis.

As unlikely as that may be, there are a plethora of other ways to take care of ourselves mentally.

So I created a workshop for people who want to try things other than meditation. And I partnered with Flinch Forward, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, their families, and our community at large, to offer it free of charge again on July 18th. 

We will meet from 9:30 AM to 2 PM at Vert CoWorking to learn and practice four different mindfulness techniques: expressive writing, anchoring, affect labeling, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)/tapping, as well as some simple breathing patterns. Lunch will also be provided. 

If your mental self-care wardrobe needs a reboot, email info@vertcoworking.com to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

And even if meditation is like your magical pair of jeans from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, you could still find a metaphorical jacket to bring in the mix when life gets extra chilly. Because it never hurts to have more layers than you need.

Layering up even in summer,

Chazz  

P.S.

If this event doesn't speak to you, be sure to check out the fall crockpot cooking class, book club, and fitness classes below. I've tried to list out everything I have on the calendar as of now through the end of 2026. Many offerings fill up quickly, so reserve your spot now.