One Thing a Day: Boundaries, Balance, and Black Joy with Dr. Hillary Van Dyke

Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you successful—it makes you tired.Hillary Van Dyke wears many hats—professor, filmmaker, nonprofit leader, and podcast host—but her story is ultimately one of intentional living. In this episode, we talk about the power of place-based education, the emotional weight of overcommitment, and how she's learning to reclaim time, joy, and energy as she enters her 40s. We also discuss:Setting boundaries around guilt and obligationTravel as both joy and exhaustionThe beauty of saying “maybe later” instead of “yes” too soonHow relationship, rest, and career goals are reshaping her calendarThe deep lessons found in cemeteries, memorials, and historyHillary reminds us that we don’t have to earn rest—and that sometimes, sitting on the couch really is the revolution. KeywordsBalance, Rest, Boundaries, Travel, Education, Cemeteries, Self-care, Personal Growth, Community, Documentary 📂 Section Markers01:01 Section 1: Exploring and Learning14:35 Section 2: Navigating Overcommitment29:14 Section 3: Reassessing Priorities and Aligning Values 📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Personal Check-In02:10 Travel Experiences and Their Impact04:15 Balancing Work and Personal Life07:51 Exploring Professional Roles and Projects12:23 The Importance of Place-Based Education16:39 Strategies for Managing a Busy Schedule20:49 Navigating Overcommitment and Decision Making23:23 The Impact of Travel on Personal Well-being27:49 Aligning Commitments with Personal Values28:47 Reassessing Priorities and Energy Management32:03 Finding Joy and Overcoming Guilt in Rest 💬 Quotes to hold on to:"Is this actually adding any value to my situation to be a part of this, or am I doing this out of guilt? Or am I doing this because I want to do it? ""The version of me who says yes is never the same version who has to show up.""One thing a day. Zero is even better.""Guilt often drives us to overcommit." 🔗 Important LinksResting Places, Learning Spaces, https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/resting-places-learning-spaces-podcast/id1798217066Website, https://hillaryvandyke.comGreen Book of Tampa Bay, https://www.greenbooktb.com/IG: @professorvandykeLet’s Stay Connected🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife