"Only in the darkness can you see the stars." ✨ ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
This week has been rollercoastery. If I'm being honest, which I try to do here, my emotions have been ALLLL over the place. And I'm not sure exactly why. Sure I have a lot going on, so many great things, but definitely felt like I was carrying the weight of everything on my shoulders.
The emotions, the self-doubt, and maybe the new year of it all (?) overwhelmed me a bit and I'm still kinda processing it all. I think a big part of it was a Cisco re-certification exam that had been looming over my head for the past few weeks, and test anxiety is a real thing. But I passed (!!) and when I got my score, I almost cried and released a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. And immediately felt a bit lighter.💆🏾♀️
This is probably why "Relax your damn shoulders", the main note from our #FearExperiment choreographer during rehearsal on Tuesday really hit home for me. Because for one thing, when you are dancing, it's a completely different look when you're moving with relaxed shoulders and without. Trust me.
For another thing, it's such a great life lesson in general. I tend to hold my stress in my shoulders so it's a good reminder to shake them out every once in awhile and ultimately, breathe. And perhaps treat myself to a massage sometimes. Baby steps.
So I am gonna take some time, take a bit of a pause, and recalibrate. Because there are some amazing opportunities in my future all around. And I want to make sure I have the energy, the focus, and the, ahem, relaxed shoulders to continue building (and dancing).💃🏽
That said, this week's picks are all about being ok feeling a bit lost, moving forward, and just being kinder to ourselves.
On to the picks!
P.S. Take 30 seconds and give yourself a hug right now. Your soul will thank you. 😘
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#loves 😍
🎧 Don't Give Up - this song came across my Spotify again this week and I forgot how much this cover with John Legend and P!nk just speaks to my soul.
💆🏾♀️Self-Care Style Quiz - you can use this quiz from Shine to find your style along with things to keep in mind when it comes to your own self-care. Me? I’m a Caring Critic which means I hold myself to high standards. 🙈 So for me, part of my self-care needs to create space for my imperfections. How about you?
#reads
38 Self-Care Tips for Busy Side Hustlers — techbizgurl.com
This was such a fun post for me to write and something I revisit quite often as a way to build self-care into my routine. I think since my routine has been shaken up a lot and is now starting to settle down again, I can get better at this.
It’s Okay to Feel Lost — www.positivelypositive.com
This ---> "These are the moments which define us. These times of being scared and of not knowing. Because once we get through them, these moments strengthen us. It may be hell feeling this way. It may be torturous to your soul. But we need it for growth."
The Call of the Wildling — wildling.co
This audiovisual experience was created by my amazing colleagues at &yet. It's a journey of self-discovery and finding ways to use your gifts without feeling pressured (or drowned) by the needs of the world. Which can lead to burnout. I haven't finished the entire experience just yet but I already love it and it's been really helpful to me to reflect on this week.
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you Avery, Monale, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L'Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️ Wanna be a supporter too? Buy me a coffee.
