The “I’m Tired But I Showed Up” Glow Bowl

It’s day two of my cycle.

I am tired.

The kind of tired where your soul is stretched between “rest, please” and “show up, please” and you’re still trying to hold space for both.

I am on vacay mode.

Candles are lit.

I deserve to rest.

I’ve got rose champagne chillin' in the fridge.

I just folded my laundry or at least most of it.

And I’m sitting here wondering if I can get away with not cooking tonight.

But girl, I gotta eat.

That’s not laziness.

That’s wisdom.

The salmon bowl will be made, the candle will flicker, and somewhere in the ethers… my future husband just felt a tingle and has no idea why. (Spoiler alert: it’s me babe.)

That’s womanhood. 

That’s love.

I am tired but nourishing myself.

It’s not always cute or aesthetic or sacred in the Instagrammable way.

Sometimes it’s just me, standing in my kitchen in a T-shirt, booty shorts with my hair in a French braid, staring at salmon and wishing my future husband was here making it for me.

I imagine him, maybe tired too, just getting off work, but showing up with care. And then I realize… I’m not waiting on him to love me like that.

I am already loving me like that.

Reflective Real Talk

I am on my period, lounging, and craving care.

I bought all the things to nourish me, even if I don’t want to make it.

And even in this moment of wishing for support,

I imagine myself being the support too.

The Dinner That Almost Didn’t Happen

Okay, let’s set the scene. I went to Trader Joe’s. I got all the groceries. The vibe was there.

I came home, lit candles, threw some laundry around with good intentions… and then I hit that familiar hormonal wall.

The “I could eat plantain chips and guac and call it a night” wall.

But then I remembered:

Whether I eat salmon, rice, or air… a girl’s gotta eat. 

I thought about my man.

Not a current titleholder.

But my future husband, the one I am preparing to nurture and cherish with a devoted heart.

I thought about how, if we were married, I’d want to be taken care of on a night like this.

But also… how I’d want to also be the one taking care.

Because I know his grind. I know his heart.

And I’d want to show up with something warm and filling, something that says: “You are safe here. You are loved here.”

So tonight, I decided to be both of us.

The one who’s tired. And the one who shows up.

Because that’s what nourishment really is, isn't it?

It is love, practiced inward first.

Or hey… you can also say “Nope, not tonight” and order something soul soothing and cozy. (I mean Thai Food to go was definitely on my radar) Because that, too, is an act of love. Especially on your period.

A Note to My Future Husband (Folded Into This Meal)

Hi Love,

I wish you were here tonight.

Not because I need you to do this for me,

but because I’d love to do it for you, too.

I am intentionally showing up with gentleness, even in my tiredness.

Serving love with salmon, lemon and a lil squeeze of orange (because why not?).

Practicing building a life where nourishment isn’t optional, it’s our standard.

When you get here, dinner’s already waiting.

In my heart.

In this home.

In the way I take care of us, even before there’s an “us.”

Side Note: Savvy & Sacred Energy

I made dinner for one. A glowing little salmon bowl moment full of flavor, intention, and nourishment. And since my future husband hasn’t arrived just yet (he’s on his way, obviously ), I turned what would’ve been his portion into a beautiful lunch for myself tomorrow.

I kept it simple. Same loving recipe, same ingredients, just tucked into a glass Snapware container instead of my Moroccan style ceramic Thyme & Table bowl. It’s already ready for me to heat up and enjoy with zero extra effort.

This is how I preserve my energy: by being thoughtful with what I have, taking care of the me I will be tomorrow, and flowing with grace.

Soft life, but make it efficient.

I am officially naming her the Overflowing Salmon Glow-Up Bowl™, and YES she deserves her own recipe card.

This bowl came through for me on a night when I was tired… but still committed to loving myself well. Not only did I nourish my present self, but I also lovingly prepared a second portion for the me I will be tomorrow. Soft life strategy? Always n Foreva.

I am letting you in on the goodness, Let’s break it down like a love letter to your body:

🍚 Barley, brown rice & quinoa

Grounding. Hearty. That chewy-divine texture that anchors your nervous system and fills you with just enough earth. (Trader Joe’s)

🌿 Fresh spinach base

Soft, leafy, green goodness nourishment to cradle it all in gentle love.

🥒 Chopped cucumber

Crisp, cooling, fresh goddess crunch.

🐟 Salmon

Oven-baked or pan-seared, kissed with fresh-squeezed orange juice. A bright, citrusy love language (Chef’s kiss 🍊💋)

🥑 Organic chunky guacamole (Trader Joe’s) Creamy crown of fatty blessing, vibrant, and full of good fats that say: you deserve richness.

🧀 Double cream brie cheese (Trader Joe’s)

Luxurious little cubes or slices. She’s soft, melty, and full of divine feminine energy.

Brie is a vibe. A cheese for main characters only.

🧄 Roasted garlic hummus (Trader Joe’s)

One perfect spoonful. Creamy, mellow, grounding.

🔥 Optional toppings:

• A dash of Tapatío

• Or a drizzle of Sweet Potato Habanero Hot Sauce (Courtesy of Trader Joe’s of course)

Every choice I made tonight said: “I love me. I choose me. I honor me.”

I sat down, turned on the movie 'Shotgun Wedding' featuring JLO and Lenny Kravitz, took a deep breath, and thanked myself.

Not for the dinner, but for the choice.

To nourish instead of numb.

To care instead of collapse.

To be love instead of long for love.

And here’s the best part…

Lunch is ready. Energy is preserved.

The future is fed. (And she’s Fabulous)

She’s not just a salmon bowl.

She’s a strategy.

She’s a vibe.

She’s the Overflowing Salmon Glow-Up Bowl™.

Final Thoughts from The Nursing Well:

Sometimes the soft life looks like spa days, deep tissue massages and silky robes with cozy slippers.

And sometimes it looks like a woman on her period, lighting candles and making salmon for herself with tired hands and a strong heart.

I am tired, but nourishing myself.

And honestly? That’s kind of iconic.

Signed, sleepy but still glowing,

Mika

The Well Mama 🌿🥗🥑✨