Oh dear COVID-19, how you’ve rocked our world! Nothing is the same...and in some ways, that’s a good thing. Sure, there have been numerous set-backs and false starts, countless losses to grieve, changes to make (sometimes daily), and hardships to endure.

There have also been moments to learn new lessons, to purge and reorganize, and to tune inward to realign with one’s values.

Here’s what’s bubbled up for me. Maybe these mantras will help you too.

1. Does this really matter? My tolerance for bullshit has shifted a ton since March. I’m just too tired to care about a lot of things most days. When I reach despair-level discontent, I find myself asking, “Does this really matter?” Will me listening to the same news reports ad nauseam really matter? Will the world end if I miss a live webinar about how to pivot my business overnight? If I don’t have the answers about my future today does it really, truly matter? Instead of agonizing over the millions of things I cannot control, many of which are really inconsequential in the grand scheme of life, I am doubling down on what DOES matter: my well-being, caring for and being present to my kids, getting outside, texting or calling my sisters weekly, checking in with friends in need, and showing up to peaceful protests in support of causes dear to my heart.
2. There is plenty of time. Pre-pandemic me had a tendency to move from A to Z at warp speed. Even when I was rhythmically teaching a yoga class or offering a calming massage, my insides were often ruminating about what came next. That was just how life was. The new, evolving me is surrendering to the good feels of slowing down, of taking rest, of chipping away at projects in small, digestible bits. Right now, I’ve got all the time in the world. I am savoring where I can. I am laughing through (most) frustrations. There is plenty of time.
3. Done is better than perfect. I can’t tell you how many hours/months/years of my life I’ve pissed away waiting for things to be “just so” before putting plans into motion. From pressing send on an email to venturing in new business directions, my gremlins often kept me trapped in familiar “comfort” zones. I could beat myself up about all the self-sabotage and lost time, but instead I’m softening and exploring the roots of my perfectionism and just letting things be a little rough around the edges. This means I sometimes burn the grilled cheese sandwich for my son's lunch. It means I’ve been late on a few birthday wishes. It also means getting a new website up and running without it being my absolute dream because, in the short term, function and presence are much more important than the spit-shine.

I’d love to hear what you’ve discovered about yourself this year. Feel free to email me and let me know how the pandemic has changed you and your life and how you're supporting your well-being.