go gentle into this new year
because you don't need to have everything figured out on Jan. 1
#WednesdayWisdom
“When it comes to love, joy, and success, we have to believe we deserve it. Remind yourself daily that you are worthy, and watch as your mind and heart open to receive.” ~ Aisha Beau
Morning Musings
I love a new year and a fresh start as much as the next girl. In fact, something about this year starting on a Monday especially sent my Type A senses tingling. And yet, I still haven’t completed my annual year in review journal entry and I haven’t fully decided on a planner, which is very unlike me. I barely recognize myself. And still, I’m working on extending myself grace.
There is no rush. This is the third day of the year. Granted, I did frontload the week with my first personal training session; 1:1 business coaching and therapy session of the year on Tuesday. It seemed like a good idea in December, not so much on Monday as we were driving back home from 10 days in St. Paul.
But, as I told my therapist (after confessing to girlbossing too close to the sun), I’m trying to lean into the chaos. I had BIG PLANS for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I was going to revamp my website; (finally) submit my 300-hour yoga teacher training homework (two years after the fact); and create some systems to help me more effectively manage my freelance business. And you know what I accomplished? Absolutely none of it.
Granted, my to-do list was a bit ambitious to begin with, but somewhere around the middle of the week I decided to embrace the chaos. As it turns out, it’s a little hard to get any meaningful work done while referring a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old.
Instead of beating myself up, I resolved to try again this week. And, as my business coach
reminded me during our session on Tuesday, simplify. It’s okay to be “good enough,” an important reminder for someone who literally wrote a book titled Stop Waiting for Perfect.You do not have to have it all figured out right now. Moreover, you don’t have to do it all right now. Attempting to do so is a surefire way to burn out. We have a lot of year left, my friends. I encourage you to ease in where you can. Give yourself permission to feel out 2024 some, get quiet and listen to what the universe is trying to tell you.
My Latest Advice Column
Dear L’Oreal, I just had a baby, but I haven't yet felt that big rush of love everyone keeps telling me about. Is something wrong with me?
Oh friend, I want to assure you that a) there’s nothing wrong with you and b) you’re not a bad mom. I know you didn’t say that last part out loud, but if you’re anything like me, I can sense you’re thinking it, feeling it and maybe even believing it.
A few days before our scheduled C-section, I had the same concern: What if I don’t immediately fall in love with the baby? After all, I’d spent most of my pregnancy battling perinatal depression and anxiety. My husband and I went through several rounds of IVF to get pregnant in the first place, and I was constantly worrying about the other shoe dropping. I was afraid to allow myself to get excited about the baby out of fear that something bad would happen.
Vote for Me for Best of Chicago
The countdown is one! There are only 11 more days to vote for me in the best nonfiction writer and best new nonfiction book categories for Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago awards. You can find both categories in the Arts & Culture section. Voting ends Jan. 14. Thank you in advance for your support!
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Start the New Year with Stop Waiting for Perfect
Thank You
A special thank-you to April, Cait, Amanda, Harleen, Megan, Najja, Jessica, Priti, Cat, Jenna, Mallory, Rachel, Angel, Sarah, Camesha, Vix, Anna, Stephanie, Dominique, Tiffany, Emily, Mabinty, Lindsey, Casey, Lynnae, Dani, Amanda, Raina, Abigail, Sharon, Kristen, Heather and Renae for becoming paid subscribers and helping to fuel this newsletter. I truly appreciate your support! 💜
Thank you for reminding me. This exactly what I needed to hear!
Thank you for the transparency. I’m no longer trying to crush goals but rather pace myself