People keep asking me what I actually do before a 📝Play Party, so here it is in one place.
This is what works for my body and my nervous system. It's not a rulebook and it's definitely not a standard anyone needs to meet. Take what's useful, leave the rest.
Two ideas run underneath all of it: I'd rather make my decisions in advance than in the moment, and I'd rather take a break early than need one badly. Everything below is downstream of those two.
🌿 48–24 Hours Before — Set the Terrain
🥗 Food
Focus on:
- Hydrating, mineral-rich foods — cucumbers, zucchini, citrus, leafy greens
- Complex carbs plus protein — sweet potatoes, rice, beans, tofu
- Healthy fats — avocado, olive oil, chia
Avoid:
- Super salty, fried, or heavy foods (bloating and sluggishness)
- Excess sugar (spike, then crash)
- Anything that irritates my gut
Think glowy, hydrated, easy digestion.
💧 Hydration
Steady hydration, not chugging. Electrolytes once a day, especially since I'm active.
A simple rhythm: 16–20 oz of water on waking, then sip consistently through the day.
💤 Sleep
This is my real performance enhancer, if I can make it happen. I'm not perfect and I am a mommy.
7–9 hours both nights before. Even one slightly better night makes a noticeable difference in stamina, mood, and lubrication.
🏃♀️ Movement
Light to moderate. Cycling, skating, light strength, mobility. Nothing so hard that I show up sore or depleted.
🌙 Create my anchor
This is also when I pick 📝My Anchor — one sentence, a state of being rather than a performance goal, chosen while I'm still calm and nothing is happening yet.
🌸 24 Hours Before — Prime the Body
Food
Clean and familiar, with slightly more carbs for energy — rice, potatoes, fruit. I start leaning into melon and pineapple around now.
Hydration
Keep it steady, electrolytes again. Tart cherry juice and pineapple juice if I want to taste delicious 🧚🏻♂️
Gut prep
Important for me, and it starts tonight rather than an hour beforehand. Full protocol in 📝My Gut Prep — the short version is lighter, lower-residue food in the evening and nothing large, fibrous, or gassy late.
🌺 Day Of — Sustain, Don't Spike
Pre-event meal, 1.5–2 hours before
Balanced and not heavy. Protein, carbs, fat — rice with salmon or shrimp, olive oil, cooked veg. I avoid ANYTHING that can bloat me, so no raw veggies, no beans, no tofu.
Hydration
Start hydrated, not stuffed with water. Electrolytes, or something I'll actually want to sip. NO CARBONATED DRINKS. Hot ginger tea helps with digestion and bloat.
🌿 Pre-event ritual, 30–60 min before
Nothing elaborate. Just intentional.
A few slow breaths, one hand on my chest and one on my lower belly. Then I acknowledge my body: "You don't owe anyone anything tonight." Then I set a quiet boundary with myself: "I will listen when something feels off, even if it's subtle."
If I want a little magic, I apply oil or lotion or shimmer slowly, like I'm armoring myself in softness.
This is also the moment to invite a partner in if I'm going with one — shared desires, check-in times if either of us is playing with others, and a non-verbal signal so I can ask for support or call a group check-in without having to start a whole conversation about it.
📝My Permission Slips get said out loud here too. In advance, so I'm not negotiating them later.
⚡ During — Long-Game Energy
Food
Small, frequent, easy to eat. Fruit — grapes, berries, oranges. Rice cakes and rice crackers. Trail mix or a non-bloating protein bar (Mezcla and TruBars work for me). I bring a thermos with soup or sheet pan leftovers 🕺
Hydration
Sip regularly, don't wait until I'm thirsty. Electrolytes every few hours if I'm sweating or active. Never bubbles during play — I bring Celsius packets for energy without the bubble guts of an energy drink.
🕯️ Vibe check
Every couple hours, or whenever the energy shifts, I run 📝My Vibe Check — body, emotion, energy. Thirty seconds. If something comes back even slightly off, that's not a failure, that's information.
🍃 Reset spell
When things get overwhelming, buzzy, or disconnected, 📝My Reset Spell takes one to three minutes and can shift my whole state. The sensory tricks for when I'm floaty rather than flooded live in there too — cold water on the wrists, fresh air, something textured, eye contact with someone I trust.
🧘♀️ Body awareness
This is my secret weapon. Take breaks before I need them. Check in every couple hours. Change positions, STRETCH, reset.
Ebb and flow, not constant output.
🌙 After — The Real Magic
Immediately after
Water and electrolytes. Light food with protein and carbs — fresh fruit and a clean sweet treat is my usual. Gentle cleanup, nothing harsh. And PEE. NO UTIs!
The next day
Sleep is the priority, even if that means a nap or just lying down. Anti-inflammatory foods: berries, greens, healthy fats. Warm shower or bath.
🌙 Closing ritual
Before I crash or scroll, 📝My Closing Ritual — three questions, thank my body, and say the thing that actually closes the night instead of letting it trail off.
🌿 Optional Magic Layer
If it fits the vibe, 📝My Portal Marker — a scent chosen just for the night, or a small object in my purse. Every time I touch it or smell it, instant check-in.
💧 The Long Game
📝My Lubrication & Body Support isn't really day-of prep at all. Internal hydration is the biggest factor by a wide margin, and the supplements that help are supportive rather than instant — consistency beats last-minute dosing every time.
The whole system comes down to one idea. Make the decisions while I'm calm, so the version of me at 1am doesn't have to make them alone.