The Sunday Sanctuary With Sabina Hitchen
A weekly series that profiles the most fabulous, hard-working, 24/7 hustlers, and how they spend their Sundays.
With a former career in education and curriculum development, combined with over a decade of experience educating and leading small business communities, while simultaneously running a public relations agency specializing in the growth of small businesses and entrepreneur-founded brands, I'm uniquely positioned in the business education space.
A former high school teacher and education curriculum designer, I followed this with work in public relations which led to my founding of a public relations agency in New York City where I specialized in startups and small business owners. It was during this same time that I co-created my first education-based business community that evolved into the platform I run today.
These days, I've combined both of my previous careers and run Press for Success: PR Prep School, an online education platform that teaches entrepreneurs, small business owners, and experts around the world how to get publicity for their business strategically, successfully, and confidently.
The platform provides online classes, brand-building tools, and ongoing All-Access subscriptions that have supported business owners from New York City to California, Ireland to Argentina, New Zealand to Hong Kong.
I serve as a regular media expert and speaker in the areas of small business, entrepreneurship, social media, public relations, and brand building.
In 2018, I began hosting segments on television and online programs featuring wow-worthy discoveries and innovations from small business owners and entrepreneurs. Sharing entrepreneur-created products with the American viewing public is one of my greatest joys to date.
My story, expertise, and businesses have been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Fox Business, CBS, ABC News, NY Post, Entrepreneur on Fire, and beyond.
Q: What time do you wake up or does the alarm go off ?
A: I actually wake up naturally pretty early, but believe it or not I actually set an alarm for about 6/6:30 am on a Sunday, just to be sure I’m awake before the rest of my family (baby, husband, dog - who all get up in that order) arise. Then I can have time for me that doesn’t feel rushed of interrupted before the rest of the crew join me.
Q: What is your morning routine (specifically the first 15)
A: My morning sets the tone for my entire day, and Sunday really kicks off the way I want my week to feel, so here are some essentials: Get up, go downstairs, go outside and “breathe in the morning”. I often watch the sunrise, then do some sort of meditation or visualization (guided, so much easier!) and then if it’s a Sunday there’s less of a rush to get to work so I’ll just read - the headlines, the paper, inspiring content, etc. I try to stay off my phone and Instagram until later in in the morning. Once everyone else is up and we’ve eaten we’re out the door for some sort of outside activity - off to the beach, the woods, or exploring some towns nearby.
Q: What is your Sunday mantra?
A: Choose your top 3 joymakers. I used to try to do all the things on a Sunday and would end up disappointed. These days I just pick 3 things on my list that would bring me the most joy (and yes, planning my coming week is often one of those, I love a good planning sesh!). If I get more accomplished it’s just an added bonus!
Q: What’s your go to breakfast/brunch?
A: Hmm on a Sunday Alex (my husband) is usually in the kitchen making homemade waffles and lattes. This isn’t because we’re an IG-worthy family making fabulous brunches but because since the pandemic we’ve been having a lot of fun with kitchen appliances we never really put to much use before. Otherwise I’ll go to 158 and grab us coffee and seaweed bagels!
Q: Do you give yourself any Sunday self-care treatments?
A: No matter what I commit to a long hot bath, and a lot of exfoliating. I’ll also do some reading for pleasure on a Sunday for longer than I get on a weekday and that to me is total self-care. I’m currently sucked into Valencia & Valentine and The In-Betweens
Q: What song is a good representation of your Sunday?
A: Hmmm probably Bill Withers Lovely Day because the vibe is happy, relaxed, and has a nice flow to it, which I always want my Sundays to feel like.
Q: How has your Sunday routine changed over the years?
A: I’d say its 100% changed since having a baby. I have a 21 month old (Juliette) at home and the nore mobile she gets the more everything has changed. I used to work a lot on weekends because my husband is a journalist and he was always doing the same, so we spent a lot of time “working and playing”. Now we still go on adventures with Juliette and our dog George Michael in tow, but even then, the schedule is much more baby friendly. Gone are my Sundays of endless working and long nights with wine and Sunday dinners out, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Q: Do you exercise?
A: For sure -for mental health and my quest for the legs I had in college ;) I am doing a 5K training program right now by myself and love it. We are currently in Maine while the East Coast figure itself out and we live near a nature trail, which is my second home these days. I’m also on it just for walks, clearing my head, exploring with Juliette, you name it!
Q: Do you like to spend your Sunday alone or with family/friends?
A: Though I 100% need alone time to recharge, I also love family Sunday dinners which we do with my parents and sister (and her family). We rotate between houses and everyone brings food for a big family potluck. This is another great treat we’ve been able to experience since moving to Maine and I love it.
Q: Do you use any apps or products for relaxation?
A: I love doing visualizations and meditations from Christine Agro - anything I can use to release energy that I tend to keep inside. I also try to just take in the quiet and be app free sometimes, it’s amazing what you can hear and think about when you cut out the noise!
Q: What is your ideal bedtime?
A: I would love to say I’m regularly in bed by 10 but that’s so hard to convince myself to do. I tend to be a late night thinker, and I also love to unwind after that, so usually by midnight. Sigh.
Q: What are some of your favorite Sunday activities?
A: Beach time with my family - we love Willard Beach out here in Portland, or walking along the Eastern or Western Promenades. I also love exploring all the amazing small businesses around here - there are street after street of amazing shops. No Sunday would be complete without a trip to Treehouse Toys for Juliette and Uncommon Paws to get George Michael some lobster treats. We also try to explore all the lovely little towns and cities around us here
Q: How do you prepare for the week ahead?
A: I never go to bed with out a thorough review of my week ahead, a deep dive into Monday, and I always do a meeting with my husband so we’re both clear on how to navigate the Monday ahead. During this new normal it’s essential. Then I visualize how I want my Monday to go and try to “put it to bed” until it’s actually here!