To the Quitters go the Spoils!
Rise & Revisit
If you missed my New Year email on peace, find it here.
During a meeting this week, a peer mentioned that the second Friday in January is known as Quitters Day because it’s the most likely day for people to give up on their New Year's resolutions.
Yet every year, people still make them. We set year-long business and personal goals. We pick theme words. We set intentions.
Often — because we’re achievers — we get attached to the outcomes instead of the daily process of being present in our daily lives.
I am a fan of intentions and always have short-term goals and long-term visions.
But more than that, I’m a fan of not missing out on life to push to achieve something that causes me to regularly miss out on the experience of being here now.
Our lives are not lived in tomorrow. We’re only here today.
To keep on the peace theme I’ve started this month, I’m sharing a few questions that I ask myself when I’m feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and out of bandwidth — key indicators for me that I need to quit something:
1. Does this <insert the work/ task/ event/ expectation of action from someone else> align with my values and my highest priorities right now?
I like this question because it allows me to briefly interrupt the habitual momentum of perpetual going and doing that “hustle culture” has ingrained in me.
2. Do I need to take a break?
Life happens whether we notice it or not. If we largely remain in the pattern of doing and don’t integrate the stopping, we’ll allow ourselves to miss out on true rest and the experiences that make our human lives meaningful. (take the vacation)
3. Is there a bigger story or pattern in my life that is playing out here?
If you find yourself constantly overwhelmed — or constantly pushing through to get to the other side of work — chances are there’s a bigger story of why this is happening.
Yes, I realize that our societal systems are not set up to support human care and that they are designed to keep us striving and pushing — and that’s something we all need to know.
It’s also our job to understand where our actions and reactions come from so we can make conscious choices instead of falling back on subconscious programming. As we start to recognize that our actions are often driven by the things that need attention and care within us, we can begin to seek peace instead of perpetuating our inner chaos.
My point here isn’t to share previous blogs— even though there’s a sh*tton of links in here— but it is this:
Quitting things that aren’t aligned, that deplete you, that perpetuate patterns that don’t work, and that are formed by expectations — yours or someone else’s — will lead you to more peace, joy, and presence…aka the more meaningful things in life.
That, to me, is the definition of true success.
So…what do you need to quit? Reply & lmk.
xox,
Michelle
Peep these peace-centric P.S.s:
P.S.: Tomorrow, is the Masterclass on Making Peace with Food. No weight-loss strategies, but Rebecca & I will tackle the deep stuff & give tangible tools and practical insights on making peace with yourself.
P.P.S: Next Wednesday, 1/17 join me if you’re in Richmond for Unveiling Your Authentic Self to rekindle who you are and free yourself from the stories that aren’t serving you.
P.P.P.S: Currently, I’m meeting with applicants for Clear, Consistent, Confident Marketing — biz owners who are ready to free themselves from algorithms & other BS to better connect & find more peace, joy, and ease in their marketing. I speak more about it here, or you can book a chat if you’re on the fence about applying!
Loved the responses from last week’s email on themes for January — and for the year. Keep them coming! Hit reply and tell me if you’ve got a theme, resolution, or big goal this year…or just what’s up!
See you soon!
