Life isn’t a piece of cake all the time, so at this mid point of the year, give yourself a chuffing break!
I thought I would share this today, because I know there will be people out there, like me, currently saying, “Oh it is already the longest day of the year and I’m still not crushing it in 2024.” Hands up if you have said some pretty crappy words to yourself this week. If yes, read on.
I do like going to business events and networking and come away feeling inspired. It is also not unknown to also feel I am not achieving my potential and why can’t I be as driven as others? So a business conference, combined with summer solstice and bizarrely enough, some sunshine, nearly pushed me in to meltdown in my head this week. So rather than working on my business goals, I decided this morning to share the crazy mind of a post menopause, self-employed female, because I am certain at least one person (male or female) will relate to this, or maybe even have an appreciation as to why their loved one lost their sh*t recently because something wasn’t put back in the kitchen. (Not a true story this week, but has been known in the past – it is never about the thing in the kitchen by the way – it is always about something bigger.)
Hands up if this week you have thought any of the following:
I have family guilt that I am not doing my best
I have not exercised enough
I ate pizza and generally less than healthy food
My friends are losing weight, getting toned, looking amazing and I am not
I didn’t watch the sunset on Summer Solstice
I didn’t get up at 3:30am to watch the sun rise on the longest day
I wasn’t having a transformative experience at Stonehenge
I don’t have my social media highlights sorted
I didn’t gain any new leads this week
My creative work isn’t as good as those I look up to
I haven’t read my target book this month
I didn’t swim in a lake in the sunshine
Why are my relationships a car crash this month
I should have gone out with my friends
Should I just go and work for someone else
I wish I was self employed
Why did I not book Taylor Swift tickets
Did I do my best – I don’t think so
My work and career is not at its best
Everybody else in life is way better at it and having all the experiences and fun!!
The list could go on couldn’t it – but stop down that negative nellie path and take a reframe ….
Nobody in life aces it 100% of the time. I was listening to a podcast with Paloma Faith this week and even she was saying she has mum guilt and admitted that relationships can be really hard work. I listened to Davina McCall say she got rejected for 3 years before somebody finally gave her a chance. Even those with amazing careers have the same rubbish thoughts we all do, so be kinder to yourself.
I took a pause and thought of the positive moments. I little breather helps you stop the drama in your head and think, okay I am alive and there are things that can make me smile if I focus on them more. How many of these, or a variation, can you relate to …
I have loved ones with the only concern this week being the results of a cancer scan, not if they have posted a photo on Instagram. I know people who would give anything to eat pizza with a loved one that they are missing in life and not worry about one meal in the week not being nutritionally perfect. Going for a walk is the exercise most of the happy ‘Blue Zone’ places in the world are content with and not if they have abs for the beach. The sun rises and sets every day, so if you didn’t catch it this week, we are only in June so there will be some more chances. The reality is that you will have learned something that you didn’t know 10 years ago. Work, careers and business can ebb and flow, so don’t crash and burn. You have something in your life that makes your heart happy. You are better at something today than you used to be. Trust your instinct on your choices in life. You are capable. Somebody will be looking at you as an inspiration for something. You are a gorgeous human being, so don’t doubt yourself. Life can be just okay and that is fine.
So whatever you have been thinking this week, (good, or bad) just stop and remember to give yourself some even more special kind thoughts this weekend.
Love Jo xx
(And if in doubt, book yourself on a retreat here to chill out – couldn’t resist ha ha.)
