"Practice self-kindness and know that it's okay when life gets messy." 💖~Robyn Conley Downs
This week, one of my friends asked me one of those "How are you doing really?" questions. Like the one where they really want to know the answer and you can't do your typical "Oh, I'm fine" response. After thinking about it for a second, my answer was just "I don't know." And it was a surprise to me because I kinda thought whatever dark cloud, lost feeling I felt last week would be gone by now. And it's...not.
I elaborated to say that "I keep feeling this rollercoaster of ups and downs. And not the consistent "everything is fine and life is good" trend that I typically have." She mentioned that she felt the same and had been hearing it from others as well. So we started thinking through the causes: possibly a mix of seasonal depression (it's winter here in Chicago), the new year, new you stuff that's floating around, the conversations around goals and resolutions, and getting things done. In a word: overwhelm.
That could be it. It could be the cause of why I keep feeling like I'm half in the world and half in the "sunken place". And it may be something else entirely. But I do know that I don't want to rush myself to feel better, as we often do, without taking some time to find the lesson in this experience. Instead, I'm leaning into it and seeing where it takes me. And I feel like it won't be this big resolution of "oh I am feeling better, life goes on" but it'll be more about "making time for joy" as another friend reminded me this week. And self-love.
What does joy look like for me? Dance rehearsals (!!) but also enjoying the experience of dance rehearsal and not focusing so much on being perfect but having fun. Watching a show with my friend. Reading a book. Legos. Listening to music and singing at the top of my lungs. Doing walks around the block with my brother.
So if you have been feeling a bit of the topsy turvyness too, I am giving you permission to lean into it. Don't feel rushed or pressured to figure it out. See what it is that you may need to understand or learn. See where you can make time for joy and self-love. What's one thing you can make time for in this next week that brings you joy?
On to the picks!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase that means I may receive "thank you money" at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
Marketing Personalities 💁🏾♀️- I adore personality-based stuff especially in recent years because it helps me understand myself sooo much better. Brit helps you figure out how to market in a way that feels good based on your personality type. For example, I’m an ISFJ so an insight for me is that I find flow when I'm able to support folks in a high-touch, high-impact way. 🤔 How about you? Don't know your type? Take this free test.
#reads
Legos for adults: The company is targeting stressed-out grown-ups — www.washingtonpost.com
Hi I'm Jessica and I'm a stressed-out-grown-up. 🙋🏾♀️ I put together my first Lego set right before Christmas. It was a flower but it was the coolest, most relaxing thing ever. And I bought another one less than two weeks later. Definitely gets me into that mindfulness flow that I can't get with meditation.
My Advice For Creators In 30 Sentences (Give or Take) — medium.com
Love this roundup of tips from Josh Spector who I truly consider my unofficial newsletter mentor. Some of these are hard to read but still needed. I especially like #29 and the focus on getting better versus getting followers.
How to Quit Your Job and Build an Online Business — problogger.com
You know that I am not a fan of quitting your day job before you are ready, if at all. And "ready" means different things for different people. BUT what can you start doing today to put you on that path where quitting your job could become a possibility.
#icymi
😍 Last issue’s most clicked pick was: It's Okay to Feel Lost
#upcoming
#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.
