“All we need is a little bit of courage and a little bit of grace.” 🌸 ~Erin Brockovich
What if adjusting the plan is the brave thing? (#429)
Let’s talk about grace, baby. Let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about all the good things…🎵
Ok, I’ll stop 😆. (but I hope you were singing with me!)
When I say grace, I’m not talking about the picture-perfect kind. I mean the everyday kind.
The kind that shows up when plans change at the last minute, energy dips, and life happens anyway.
The kind that whispers:
I thought I’d be further along by now… but I’m not, and that’s okay.
G is for Grace 🌸✨
(and being kind to yourself when life happens)
Last year, I set a goal I was uber excited about: Walk a 10K by November 2025.
Not run. Walk. Something to get me moving again after an injury. A fun milestone to aim for.
But… you know what happened next, right? 😅
I got sick. Not just once, but off and on for a couple of months. COVID knocked me out, my energy tanked, and my “training plan” quietly disappeared.
So here I am, in August, looking at that goal and asking myself:
Could I push through? Sure.
But… what exactly am I trying to prove?
Because the whole point was joy. Movement. A sense of progress.
Not exhaustion, pressure, and hustle.
And that’s when grace stepped in.
Grace reminded me that timelines can bend. That there’s no medal for pushing past what my body’s ready for. That I can still get there - just not at the cost of my own well-being.
So the new plan looks like this:
5K this year (Run Mag Mile, here I come! 🏅 And yes, the hoodie was part of the motivation 😍 )
8K in March
10K sometime next year
And honestly? This plan feels much lighter, more doable.
Because grace isn’t giving up. Grace is:
Asking deeper questions. Instead of “Why can’t I stay consistent?” try “What would feel doable this week?”
Honoring your season. Some are for pushing, some for pausing, some for pivoting. All have their place.
Working with your real life. Not the version you wish you had.
And yes, your side hustle deserves grace too:
Extending a launch timeline
Focusing on one project instead of juggling five
Adjusting goals to match your energy
Saying no to good opportunities that aren’t right for now
Grace keeps us in the game without burning us out.
It’s giving yourself permission to grow at the pace that’s right for you.
—
💬 Where could you give yourself more grace right now? Is there a goal or a plan that could use a gentle adjustment?
Reply if you want to talk it out. I got you.
On to the picks!
P.S. Last week’s question was: What needs me most right now? This week, try asking: What do I need right now?
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#picks 😍
Gems for when you need a softer landing…
📖. The Only One Left was a perfect escape when my brain needed a break. Premise: a caretaker moves in to help a woman long suspected of killing her whole family. But she’s hiding secrets too 👀. I hit the 50% mark and had to finish. SO. MANY. GASPS. Sometimes grace looks like letting yourself curl up with a good book and nothing else. If you love a twisty thriller, grab this one!
🛠️. 5 Tools Creators Can Use To Show Up Even On The Hard Days. Some days, the best thing you can do is not show up. (totally okay!) But if you’re trying to keep some momentum going, I loved Ev Chapman’s list. Especially the idea of “working overtime on your good days.” A small act on a high-energy day can carry you through the low ones.
I was happily pedaling along on the rail trail when three spandex speedsters blew by me on their handmade carbon bikes.
For a moment, I was disheartened. What’s the point–they’re speedy, I’m not.
Then I realize that it’s not a bike race, it’s a bike ride. There is no winning, just the riding.
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: Membervault’s Stress Free Lifetime Plan
🎤. ASK: I’d love to book 2 more paid speaking gigs this year. If you know of any events, panels, podcasts, or conferences looking for speakers, I’d be so grateful if you’d pass my name along. I love talking about side hustles and newsletters, but I’d also be excited to craft an inspirational talk, too.
🤩. Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Need some clarity? I gotchu. Grab a pep talk!
#classifieds 🗞
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💻 One product, one community, one-time payment. This $99 lifetime plan gives you everything to start + $299 credit to grow. No stress, no fees. Until 8/22!
(like these? let’s partner up!)
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
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Hi Jess, Great encouragement! LOVE your 3 p's.... Push, Pause, Pivot. All have their place. I use them frequently sometimes all in the same day......
I so needed to read this today. I've been saving it in my inbox and decided to just dive in. It reminded me to keep things simple. I've been stressing over something that I wanted to be perfect. Giving myself grace to make it an experiment first, then refine it later. Giving myself grace to make it easy and to keep it simple. I already feel relief! Thank you! Also... that song is totally stuck in my head now! LOL!