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DON’T LOOK UP
I’m going to steer away from my normal format a bit today because I’ve got an important message to share with you.
But first, I’ll let you in on a little inside scoop..
Readers have been asking me about the process behind writing The LIFT each week. It’s actually kind of interesting. I map out the topics for this newsletter weeks in advance. I continually add to the list as ideas + resources present themselves.
When writing day comes, I sit down with a general outline of what I’m going to write about. And yet, without fail, that’s NEVER what comes out of my fingertips on the keyboard.
My head says one thing, but my heart jumps in + takes over. And apparently, my fingertips are more closely attached to my heart than my head, because the heart ALWAYS wins!
It’s actually one of the things I love about doing this weekly newsletter. Watching it unfold before my very eyes + to a certain degree completely out of my control. It’s like receiving little messages from the Universe.
Every week, I have a dedicated morning for writing this newsletter + right before I sit down, I go for a walk or run. It grounds me. Gets the blood flowing. Helps me focus + consolidate my thoughts. Plus, something about being outside is a vital part of my creative process. It puts me in ‘receiving mode’.
Well, my morning run did it again this morning. Clear as day. It offered up a message right there on the sidewalk that stopped me in my tracks + brought all of my ideas for this week together.
I knew immediately that THIS is what I need to share with you this week.
YOU’RE KILLING IT.
Yes, YOU!
Consider this your message from the Universe. You’re killing it. You truly are!
Maybe, no one has taken the time to notice or to say this to you. That’s because we are all in survival mode. We are all tired. This pandemic has taken its toll on all of us.
Our daily lives have changed. Our favorite places have changed. Our friends have changed. The way we celebrate has changed. The way we grieve has changed. The way we pass by each other has changed. The way we greet each other has changed. Our priorities have changed. Our outlook has changed.
It’s a lot.
I’m guessing you probably don’t feel like you are killing it. Maybe your year is off to a slow start. Maybe you’ve lost your mojo. Maybe you’re busting your butt + not getting anywhere. Maybe you feel like a bumbling mess most of the time.
As tired + drained as you feel - that loss of hope - that frustration that creeps in - that fear that you’re missing out on your own life - that angst that you will never find your way back to the person you once were. The sadness you feel due to the losses you’ve carried - loved ones, friendships, travels, YOU.
I just want to take a moment to remind you:
You’re killing it.
The resilience you’ve demonstrated. The determination to ‘keep it together’. To carry on. To move forward. It’s pretty amazing.
This is one of those times you will look back at with great pride. Hard to believe as we stand here right now, I know. But I assure you, when you zoom out in time + space, you will see how amazing it was that you navigated all of this.
Somehow. Some way. You found your way through.
You evolved + grew in ways you could never have imagined.
So, pay attention.
It is during times of great intensity that we find our wings. It’s when we break down that we build strength.
You don’t have to hold it all together. Let it all fall apart. Then, get back up.
Your resilience is inspiring + you are stronger than you realize.
Trust in yourself. Give yourself grace. Slow down when you need to. Regroup + reset frequently. And, prepare your wings to stretch out in new form in the days, weeks + months ahead.
I hope you hear this in your heart of hearts.
I see you + you’ve got this.
LISTEN:
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
I had the opportunity to listen to a very high-level executive coach speak recently. He said the one thing that ALL of his clients (we’re talking C-level executives + highly successful entrepreneurs in high-growth industries) have in common is that they are all struggling significantly in some area of their lives.
He said, “We all think these people are ‘killing it’, but the truth is NOBODY is killing it.”
I share this thought not to negate everything I just told you about how you’re killing it, but to remind you that - you’re not alone in your struggles. Behind all of the success stories, behind every little square you see on social media, behind every masked face is someone struggling with something.
YOUR MISSION:
Take a moment this week to pat yourself on the back. To recognize + acknowledge all the ways you are adjusting. Then, share this message with someone else (maybe even a total stranger). Let them know they are killing it. Give someone a LIFT. We all need to hear that we are doing okay + that we are not alone. Let’s cheer each other on.
See you next week?
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the button below. And, if you’d like to stay in touch in real-time during the week, you can find me on Instagram @redefiningkaren or on Facebook @cleanbeautyadvocate.
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