Mid-month check-in.

Writing from somewhere in between good intentions and the less than stellar performance of these said good intentions…

If you remember, this September was all about new beginnings and enthusiastically getting into great new habits. 

Narrator: that, in fact, did not happen as planned…

I thought I’d do a check-in and share how it’s going on my end. It’s been a mixed bag. I have an ever-growing list of to-do's that's simultaneously making me anxious yet stalled because I don't know where to begin. Sigh. I'm sure you can relate.

Despite good intentions and careful planning, my September goals haven’t unfolded as smoothly as I'd hoped. Life happens, things shift. Maybe you set your goals in an overly optimistic moment, Maybe you made your plans after a strong coffee and particularly optimistic moment of your day and now struggle to keep up, or perhaps you're surpassing them and are riding that high of achieving your goals. Wherever you fall, it’s all valid.

 

A Process

What I’ve realized is that new beginnings aren't instant transformations and a clean break, but a series of steps toward change. Some days you move forward, other days you feel stuck—or even take a step back. It's all part of the process.

Snaps from this month - meetings in beautiful old buildings, street art on my walk back from a messenger service across town.

 

Embracing Every Version of Ourselves

In this process, you carry all versions of yourself along the way.

I’ve come to better understand that, as much as we aim for a “new and improved” version of ourselves, we still carry older parts along. In the process, we have to make peace with the bits that aren’t fully caught up with our new intentions and to cherish them just the same. Self-love means embracing all of ourselves, past and present.

Onward, Even If Slowly

For me, this month has felt like a Sisyphean task— the bright lights of good intentions, sitting at a distance though I trudge daily towards them, only to be reset in the morning. But maybe we’re not meant to escape ourselves. My espresso-fueled September plans might not be reality, but I’m learning to sit with the tension between expectations and where I am.

 

Enjoying the Space Between

Just as important it is to develop good habits, it’s important to develop a way to enjoy the space between starting and achieving - This awkward stretch is where growth happens. I’m reminded that this space is worth appreciating.

Rather timely, I came across a nice reminder:

 

Good Intentions, Daily Effort

In light of this, here are the new beginnings that I had written out at the beginning of the month and a reminder that it’s a daily maintenance. Aside from the habit inspo list I posted earlier this month, here's what I've been working on personally:

• Be present and connected.
• Embrace resistance as a tool for growth.
• Dress to reflect my best self, not my tired self.
• Find discipline with my schedule.
• Practice unconditional self-love.
• Minimize clutter—physical, mental, and digital.
• Give myself grace, not perfection. 

 

Here’s to our daily effort and every version of ourselves along the way