You know what works for you

Remember last month when we checked in with each other?

It seems forever ago to me too, and now there’s a war weighing on us.

What I heard from you back then:

• You feel overwhelmed by requirements on your already-limited time

• Most are similarly stuck in the deep pit of their email inboxes, and

• There’s a mutual longing to be reminded of how much we’re already getting right.

So I’m coming to you today with a reminder of just that. Specifically:

1. You know what works for you.

2. It doesn’t have to work for anyone else for it to be a successful strategy for you.

As A students it can be really easy to look externally for rules, and then judge ourselves on how well (or not) we follow them.

I get it. External rules to live, work, eat and sleep by are comforting in a way, like when they were listed on the board in third grade. But it’s a slippery slope between Motivation and Comparison, and the latter is downright debilitating.

If you trusted you knew what works best for you, your work, your personal life and time commitments, what would you do? What would you not do?

My guess is you would do a lot of the same things you’ve already been doing but you Would Feel Less Bad About It. Which leads to the second reminder: your way may seem different, and different isn’t wrong. It may be tough sometimes to listen inside for the answer, or to see what you’re already doing, feeling and thinking as right-for-you without any outside confirmation. But it’s true. You are already right and get a gold star.

For the next week, try on the mantra: I know what works for me.

Use it in conversation with loved ones who ask what you’re up to, and in conversation with yourself when you’re figuring out what to do next.

You already know and you don’t have to prove it or explain it, even to yourself.

You are soo right.

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Are you ready for the fall?

Back to school photos rolling in while some are still on vacation? It can only mean one thing:

Pressure.

I mean fall, but really it’s the same.

My September calendar is filling fast, and the attempt at “normal” over-scheduling with a side of mask mandates is not good for my anxiety.

How are you holding up?

Specifically, what routines and activities are most serving you right now? In times of transition, doubling down on those usually is the best way to maintain grounded.

If it’s your weekday hot chocolate at 11am like it is for me, then cheers to both of us. For my fellow A students, you know I’m also walking or working out first thing and sitting up straight in my chair while typing. When all seems more complicated and overwhelming than I can handle, posture feels like just the kind of control I need. And making my bed, which I’m mostly doing as well.

Okay so this is a check-in to see how you are, so please please tell me. Comment here, hit reply to the newsletter hitting your inboxes shortly, DM me on social media. Supporting each other through change always helps and I’m doubling down on that too.

In fact, I have a special offer for mailing list subscribers to get us all through the fall more confidently — and while being kinder to ourselves — so make sure you sign up now to receive it too.

Now, how are you really, really?