I opened Asana today and made the mistake of looking too far ahead.
The rest of this month. November. December. Everything that needs to happen between now and then.
Within about 30 seconds, my brain turned a list of tasks into a full-blown crisis.
How in the world are you going to get all of this done?
This is going to be such a hustle season.
There’s going to be no room for anything else in your life.
You know… Very calm, rational thoughts.
The funny thing is, I’ve been here before. Many times.
And what I know (even though I apparently need to relearn it every few months) is that I almost never feel overwhelmed by what I actually need to do today.
I feel overwhelmed by trying to do today, tomorrow, next Thursday, and three weeks from now all at once in my head.
That’s when I start spinning.
And overwhelm is not a particularly useful emotion for me.
When I’m overwhelmed, I don’t suddenly become a productivity machine. I procrastinate. I feel paralyzed. My creativity disappears. Even simple things start to feel heavy.
Compare that to when I feel relaxed, clear, and maybe even a little excited. I can get an astonishing amount done.
So today, I did what I’ve learned to do when my brain starts telling me there is simply TOO MUCH.
I came back to today.
What actually needs my attention today?
That’s it.
Everything else can be written down. It can be scheduled. It can have its turn.
But I don’t need to emotionally experience it all right now.
There’s something incredibly calming about remembering that your life only ever asks you to live one day at a time. We’re the ones who drag next month into Tuesday morning and then wonder why we feel exhausted before lunch.
So if you have a lot going on right now, maybe you don’t need to figure out how you’ll do it all.
Write it down. Put it somewhere you trust. Then decide what matters today.
And then do the next thing.
Tomorrow will get its turn when it gets here.
With love,
The woman I want to be doesn’t live three weeks from now.
She’s here, doing the next thing. That’s always been enough.
SIMKHAI Burke Draped Midi Dress
My style leans classic, so it’s no wonder I was immediately drawn to the plaid pattern of this SIMKHAI Burke Draped Midi Dress.
The draped cowl neckline and asymmetrical waist detailing elevate it beyond a closet basic, while the fluid skirt and subtle slit ensure it pairs perfectly with strappy heels in the warmer months and chic leather boots as temps get cooler.
Elevate Your Self-Image With These 4 Daily Steps [From the Archives]
A well-lived life is nothing more than a collection of well-lived days. Which means the work doesn’t happen in the grand gestures – it happens in the small, daily choices about who you’re deciding to be.
This episode from the vault breaks down four simple steps you can start today. Not next week. Today.
// TheEDIT
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