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Liz Ryan's avatar

What a great use of chatGPT! I may copy it myself as I’m trying to make my main thing the main thing, too! Also had totally forgotten you named her Amanda and I love that 😂

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Yes, Amanda, FTW! Trying out the new schedule this week, will be sure to report back 💜

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Chanel Riggle's avatar

I was completely burnt out after the mental health and motherhood conference in October. I took November to just exist and by December the rest became inspiration.

I used Claude.ai (my chat gpt alternative) to help me analyze what big ideas I had for 2025 and then cut that baby down over and over. If it felt like it was a good amount of commitment I cut it again to make it the most minimal energy for me to spend. I create a document divided by the quarters of the year. In my most productive days I can whip through my goals like a super power but in my lows (from working parent stress or hormone/health flare ups) I am grateful I didn’t over commit myself.

Perhaps it would benefit you to do the same? I think that’s what your bot is trying to point out too: invest in the highest value work. But it’s not human and I hope you can edit it down more to make yourself feel less burden. Even if we are capable, are we pushing ourselves without needing to?

Much love for your work ❤️

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Okay a) so bummed I missed the mental health & motherhood conference, looking forward to learning more about this year's event!; b) yes, I definitely need to whittle this list down even further (and did resign from a couple of volunteer roles over the weekend, so there's that!); and c) thank you so much for reaching out, I really appreciate it! here's to doing this life thing together 💜

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Chanel Riggle's avatar

Thanks for recommending Motherhood Minute ❤️🥰 Such a nice thing to see in my inbox today.

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MMD's avatar

Wow, the what to focus on and what to stop doing list are so eye opening for me!! Thank you for sharing.

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

It’s really been a game-changer for me, too! Now that’s not to say I’ve perfected it, but it’s a good list to refer back to throughout the week

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AdeOla Fadumiye's avatar

I also use Chatgpt to structure all things. It is literal a VA, thinking partner, co-strategist and therapist.

I hope you are feeling better this week. I am rooting for you.

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Yes, yes and more yes! ALL of that! 🙌🏾 And I am feeling MUCH better, thank you 💜

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Lenora E. Houseworth's avatar

Amanda got me together, too! The streamlining is something I am working on myself. Thank you for sharing another good post.

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Thank you so much for reaching & writing in. I appreciate you, friend! 💜

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Ashley Fenker's avatar

I love this, L’Oreal! Such a creative use of Amanda 😉 that I want to try. I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick! I can relate with a daycare toddler over here. Hang in there!! Keep going even when those rejections feel so heavy. ❤️

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Thank you, thank you! Finally feeling much better over here, so hoping to keep the streak going for longer than 7 consecutive days this week 😅

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Lindsey Stanberry's avatar

Oh man, L'Oreal, feels like there's been something in the air this week. I'm honestly a little jealous of your big cry because I know I could use one. Love how you went back to remind yourself of your goals. (And hoo boy is it easy to get bogged down with well-meaning coffee chats!) Rooting for you and sending lots of love from Brooklyn!

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Interestingly enough, I wrote a story about Big Cries for our mutual fave Anna Maltby back in our Elemental days: https://elemental.medium.com/what-you-need-right-now-is-a-good-cry-52cc328f4fe4. It's definitely cathartic!

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Lindsey Stanberry's avatar

Love it!

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Vickie Austin's avatar

Be kind to yourself, L'Oreal... we've never met, but I can so relate to your exhaustion. Although I had my babies young and didn't go through IVF, I do remember crying in a therapist's office about the challenge of juggling small children, family & work. I was bewailing the fact that my home was messy and not up to par (whatever "par" was) and she said, "Wait a minute. You're working full-time, going to school full-time (I was in an exec MBA program), a mom of two and a wife, and you're worried about DECORATING?!?" We can do everything--just not all at once.

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L'Oreal Thompson Payton's avatar

Amen, amen and more amen! 🙌🏾

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