Hi ,

This morning was a wild ride. My daughter was up much earlier than she should have been, and started the day forcefully arguing with her groggy parents about how clocks work. It continued with one meltdown after another (which is incredibly out of character for her), ending with us nearly at the bus stop, her lips trembling, and my heart breaking. Something was wrong. This isn't how our mornings usually go.

We were faced with two options: force it, or go with it. We could have easily put her on the bus, worked all day, and forced our day to be normal. Instead, despite it being incredibly inconvenient, we decided to keep her home for the day. Do a pattern interrupt. Let my six-year-old have a mental health day.

I know you've had these days, too. I certainly have. You wake up on the wrong side of the bed, drip toothpaste on your clean shirt, forget you're out of milk, drop your phone in the sink, get the time zones wrong for your zoom calls...all the things. Our normal response is to soldier on and force ourselves to get through the day.

I bet you're even doing this in your business. Again, I certainly have these moments. Forcing a project to completion even though you've lost sight of the goal. Keeping a client that makes you crazy. Don't even get me started on forcing marketing strategies!

I'm reflecting on what I can learn from today and bring to my business. My daughter has been an absolute delight since the moment we turned around and walked home. We watched some videos from a new art class I signed up for, and painted together. I just got back inside from drawing out in the sun and just chatting with her. And she actually spent a few hours alone just playing Lego, making bracelets, and taping stuff to other stuff.

What happens when we stop forcing it?

Sometimes, maybe nothing. Maybe you just get a nap and get back to it the next day. Other times, though, maybe there's a message that's trying to get out. Maybe the resistance is a sign to try something different, if we let it be heard.

What does this bring to mind for you? What's something you can let go of and see what happens?

I'm sneaking in a tiny bit of work, then planning on some epic post-dinner cuddles to round out the day. 

You've got this,

Stephanie Wasylyk

P.S. A little tip...don't give up on forcing something only to fill it with something else. Give yourself some space and see what happens :)