A gentle close to the week
And 8 things that made life better / Issue 1,211
Oh, hi friends!
Did you do what you were “supposed to do” this week?
Nah, me neither.
I could think of all the things I’m waiting on, debating, conveniently avoiding, or just plain haven’t-done-it-yet.
Or, as we gently close the week, we can consider that what we did do might actually be what we were supposed to do.
If there’s anything lingering, you have some time.
If there’s anything you want to leave behind, there’s time for that, too.
But don’t beat yourself up for the “supposed to do” list.
It doesn’t exist.
8 Things That Made Life Better This Week
The amount of love I’ve received around the release of Do It (or Don’t) has been wonderful!! Thank you to everyone for celebrating with me in person, through the newsletter, texts, and DMs, or by grabbing a copy. I love the vision of all of us saying a definitive “yes” or “no” and drawing new boundaries around our time, energy, and meaningful work. (Available now at Amazon, Bookshop, Urban Outfitters, Target, Greenlight Bookstore — another favorite in Brooklyn, copies in store!)
Still thinking about Infinite Life, Annie Baker’s newest play at the Atlantic. Absolutely loved it. Annie never misses!!!
From Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami, which I just finished reading. Excellent essays for writers of all kinds. On understanding your own capacity, and pushing past it:
“Another thing was that I really didn’t consider my first two novels all that good. I knew in my heart that they only represented a small fraction—maybe twenty or thirty percent-of what I was capable of doing.”
This fabulous pick-me-up “It’s Not Where You Start” sung by Barbara Cook, song by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields.
That led me to this wisdom from lyricist Dorothy Fields:
What does make a song?
The idea. Now I'm not talking about the melody. I'm talking as a lyricist. The idea makes the song. The idea, the thought - and the enterprise and courage to present that idea in fresh, beautiful, eloquent words. No thesaurus can give you those words, no rhyming dictionary. They must happen out of you, out of the thought, the idea the concept. And once the words are down, the idea expressed, then of course must come the fixing, the revising, the polishing, the never-being-satisfied until you feel it's as perfect as you can make it.
I’m back on the Yoga With Adriene bandwagon, I always feel so much better, light, looser even after a few minutes. This 23-minute video for hips and lower back release was perfect!
This article: How to be astoundingly mindful, calm, and prepared for your new season by Linda Samuels. ICYMI: You can listen to my podcast episode with Linda on gentle routines and easing into the new season on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Did you know in Google Docs, if you go to Tools > Voice typing it will transcribe whatever you say? I was tired of pecking at the keyboard so narrated a few paragraphs and actually liked the result! A different way to get your words down.
Hope you all have gentle closes to your week.
Would love to hear in the comments what made your life better this week, too. <3
This was lovely to read this morning, Kara. I want to let you know that I did get almost all of what I wanted to do done this week. Not because I was supposed to do the things but because I wanted to follow through and make progress.
I think when we use the word 'should' we are talking to ourselves as a parent. I advise my clients to avoid that as much as possible. I like to think in terms of what small things am I (or you) able to do to move whatever it is I (or you) want to do forward.
Also, I'm a HUGE Linda Samuels fan. She and I participate in a blogging group on Mondays along with my pal, Julie Bestry. Linda always presents a unique way of distilling her thoughts so they are actionable.
I hope you have a lovely weekend. I truly enjoy reading the words (and thoughts) you pop into my email box on a regular basis.
Thank you!
I'm not a big fan of "supposed to" dos. I prefer "get to do." And this past week, I got to do a lot. Did I complete everything? Let's just say I made a good dent despite some mongo challenges.
I was thinking of you this week, and how exciting the launch of your new "Do It (or Don't) journal must be. I'm so happy you're feeling the love and celebration. As you know, I bought a copy and have been slowly savoring your wonderful messages and prompts. In the first few pages, I highlighted (in my yellow pen) some gems, including these:
• "The art of creating boundaries is found in being decisive. It's yes or no, not maybe."
• "Create the proper space to flourish."
• "Our time is limited. Do you want to spend yours in a clear and intentional way?"
Thank you for including my article as one of your "made life better this week" things. I feel honored and so grateful to know you.