Did you miss me?

Beautiful Soul,

I don't know about you but there are some days that I can just barely keep up with myself! I move fast and I get a lot done. Luckily, I don't work nearly as "hard" as I used to or get so stressed when I have a lot of balls in the air....or even when I drop one.

That said, now is one of those times when I am juggling A LOT! So much so that even though writing to you every Tuesday really does sit somewhere near the top of the things I love doing, I didn't get a newsblog out last week!

Did you miss me?

I admit, I had that little tug wondering what you would think if I didn't show up...but then I relaxed, and gave myself a break. Most likely, you didn't even notice.

I don't take that to mean that you might not have enjoyed hearing from me if I did write - it's just an honest assessment that reminds me not to get too worked up when things don't go quite as planned. Because what I know is that sometimes we can put so much pressure on ourselves trying to do everything "right" and to not disappoint people.

I've seen so many of my friends, students, and clients push so hard, trying to do everything, that they end up being at the very bottom of thier own priority list. And that is a recipe for disaster. I know because I've been there!

I've spent my share of time as a major people pleaser but all it ever got me was feeling burned out and used up. The way out has never been to work harder or to do more.

The way, for me, has been to go easier on myself. To take the stress off and remember to give myself the grace that I would give anyone I cared about if they weren't perfect.

I plan to write to you every week, but sometimes sh** happens and I trust that you're going to give me some grace (if you even notice) and we'll just pick up again next time and everything will be just fine!

I've learned, finally, how to take my days with a little more space. How to stay connected to what's most important to me so I'm not spinning my wheels or putting energy into things that drain me or burn me out. If there's just too much to do in a day or a week...I let some balls fall. I still put a priority on taking care of myself and making sure I am doing the things I need to stay healthy and happy.

And I give myself a break when I don't quite meet my high standards because, hey, if anyone knows that I have a heart of gold and live by good intentions, it's me! So I acknowledge myself for that ....and move on. Then I show up again, like I am here today so that I can share what I have to share and touch whoever needs to hear what I have to offer, now.

How about you?
Do you ever find yourself spinning out trying to please everyone?

If so, I hope this reminder is helpful for you. You can't. And they are probably way less impacted by whatever it is you're giving yourself a hard time about than you are imagining!

Do you forgive other people when they make mistakes but forget to give yourself grace when you do?

What might happen if you stopped expecting yourself to be more perfect than you would ever expect of anyone else?

And really, who else besides you knows the depth of that heart of gold you have? Isn't it time to acknowledge that? To put yourself first and make sure you have the energy to keep doing all the good you do?

With so much love,