How to stay hopeful, part 2
Oh, hi friends!
There’s a reason writers and, well, everyone else likes to invoke running and track and field metaphors when talking about long-term goals or short-term dashes.
They feel right.
We’re at mile 25 of a marathon.
We have to run through the tape.
We have to keep our eye on the prize.
But aside from giving us colorful language that feels relatable — it gives us a kind of anchor. Mantras do that. And the more you lean on them, the more powerful they can feel. Through the uncertainty or drama, they can give you focus and resolve.
So today I’m leaning on a tried-and-true idea:
One step at a time.
As the hours tick by today, I’m going to take one little step at a time — maybe I’ll spend an hour scrolling or texting with friends, maybe I’ll answer one email, maybe I’ll write the opening sentence to a story, maybe I’ll take a long, fitful nap.
You can take so many steps today.
Focus on the one you’re in, and keep inching forward.
To use another phrase loved by runners: “You got this.”
How to Break the Worry Habit Before It Breaks You
"Rule 4: Cooperate with the inevitable. If you know a circumstance is beyond your power to change or revise, say to yourself: 'It is so; it cannot be otherwise.'"
While rearranging my bookshelves last night (self care???) I came across my old old old copy of Dale Carnegie’s How to Stop Worrying and Start Living and opened it to this page.
He also advised to crowd worry out of your mind by keeping busy.
OKAY, DALE. I will try.
Now, For a Completely Silly and Random Thing
As we cat-proof our new apartment, I’ve researched hundreds of pet gates and adjustable window screens. (I’m crazy.) But we have one narrow little stairway up to a loft space that needed to be blocked off and nothing was quite right. UNTIL. I found the shop Sew Amelie on Etsy. A vey nice woman named Holly from Illinois makes custom-sized fabric pet and baby barriers. She made one to exactly fit our space and this just reminded me how entrepreneurial people are and how much it pays to solve people’s problems!! Maybe you also randomly need a fabric gate or maybe you need to solve another problem? Go toward Etsy!
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
You can also support my work by checking out my new motivational journal, Do It For Yourself, designed to guide you through your creative and work projects.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara