Originally published August 25, 2024
This week has been a tale of contradictions.
Difficult news about family.
Achieving success on personal goals 5+ years in the making.
Health issues and the ripple effect struggles.
Relief and joy in the little things.
I hope something in this week's note finds you just when you needed to hear it.
The Art of Letting Up
Whenever I think about consistency, I think of the below graphic:
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I couldn't tell you when the first time I saw something like this, BUT I do remember the way it made me feel the first time...
It was like someone took a 100 lbs off my shoulders.
As a neurodivergent person, I spent most of my whole life striving for (and mostly achieving) the first row... it was just at the expense of my future self - hello burnout.
I spent too many years blaming myself for not being able to achieve consistency easily.
A part of me was determined to believe the struggle was a personal failure.
Can you relate?
Yeah? I had a feeling.
When that voice decides to creep back in, look at this graphic as a reminder that we get to redefine consistency so we don't end up burnt out.
It's okay to letup.
It doesn't make you less productive.
It makes you human.
So this week...
Try This:
The Expectation Check
Whether you're aware of it or not, we all have expectations of ourselves (and others - but that's for another day).
By regularly checking in with those expectations and meeting yourself where you are, you can reduce unnecessary stress and create more sustainable, compassionate goals for yourself.
