On the night Before a Big Event

I just landed a huge ‘in’ with a mega swimwear company. The PR manager was smitten with my work and offered to circle back around after Swim Week. On this very same day, we were preparing for a very early rise the following morning to meet with my in-laws and their daughter. I found that the night prior, not only were we totally restless, but the idea of being productive felt nearly impossible.

That’s when an idea came to me: how can we rest graciously the night before a big event?

You know the feeling—when you’ve either got a big flight, a bigger interview, or something as massive as Swim Week (or as small as meeting your new niece)—you can hardly sleep through it! But! You can spend your time using your energy wisely and still make something of that waiting period.

Here are my little tips for making the most of the night before!

Freshen up

Do some treasured self-care. In the case of a massive event, I wouldn’t necessarily try a new face mask or serum, but spending the evening taking a bath, doing your everyday skincare routines, and maybe relaxing with a good show and some peppermint tea might relax your nerves and ground you in the present.

Get inspired

There’s inspiration in everything. In the moments leading up to a breakthrough event—or even a flight—share how it makes you feel, what’s going through your mind, and treat every leading moment in the metaphorical waiting room as an editorial moment.

Pick your outfits

I don’t know why, but every woman does this at one point or another—and personally, I find it extraordinary for putting yourself in that fabulous energy. And if your flight, meeting, visit, or event is early in the morning, having a bangin’ outfit planned out beforehand can buy you a lot of time. Do a little fashion show for yourself. Pick the outfit that feels the best and compliments your figure the most.

Either way, ladies, let the day be what it’s going to be. Even though you can feel the excitement (and maybe even some nerves), the moments or days leading up to your big events can be just as enjoyable as the main event.

If you know that your upcoming experience will demand a lot of energy, use this time to catch up on some much-needed rest. Recharge your battery and take good care of yourself in the in-between. Before you know it, you’ll be stepping into the moment you’ve been waiting for—whether that’s a red carpet event, something you’ve been planning for months, an early flight to a gorgeous destination, or just a visit with your in-laws!

Play

I’m probably the last person to ever say this… but the energy of play—be it a mobile game, sudoku, Wordle, or a video game—can really ease the tension and pass the time. I found myself getting persuaded by an ad for a game, so I downloaded it… and behold, three hours had passed. Not every moment of your life needs to be productive, and it turns out—if you’re not one to play games very often—this can be very soothing.

Pray

Pray rhymes with play, and if you find yourself struggling to rest without spiraling, this is the best thing to do. I always open Scripture on those evenings before a big event. Not only does it help me rest and remain calm, but it also makes the waiting period mean something more. A personal favorite is Ecclesiastes and Proverbs—for their entirely different topics. Ecclesiastes can put big events and business moves into perspective, while Proverbs is a go-to for nights before getting with family or social events. Usually, I find myself praying as intensely to sleep (being a night owl who needs to wake up can bring on challenges only the Lord can overcome) as I do for a good time and protection.

I’ve previously written about how the wait can be as sacred as walking into the moment. The night before a big event—business-wise or socially—can be just as daunting, but these night-before rituals make the time go by as quickly as it does intentionally. Sometimes our minds can get caught up in rehearsing the day before it happens, and while I always advocate for preparation, I also understand the deeply important virtue of presence and surrender.

What’s your favorite night-before ritual?

Whether it’s laying out outfits, praying for peace, or just playing Wordle in bed—how do you rest before a big day? Share your go-to’s in the comments!

xx,
Sarah Elle, Editor in Chief of Prose Club