Expectations

This is a gentle reminder to meet yourself where you are.
The thing about this is—and I can’t stress this enough—where you are changes all the time. So what you expect of yourself must change, too.

There are times when you need to be a little more gentle on yourself and move a little slower. ❤️‍🩹🐢

Sometimes it makes sense to push yourself a bit. 💪✨

Some days getting out of bed is already a victory. 🛌🏆

And other days you’re ready to take on the world. 🌎🔥

We are not stagnant creatures with one set mode of operation. We are ever-evolving, always changing and growing, taking two steps forward and one step back, shedding, renewing, messing up, learning, crying with heartbreak, laughing with joy, turning and swirling, constantly reshaping ourselves in response to the world around us.

Oh, to be human, what a weird and wonderful experience.

And yet. We tend to have the same expectations for ourselves day in and day out, regardless of where we’re actually at in our lives or on any given Tuesday. And this is the perfect setup for disappointment and frustration.

But check it out. When we adjust the expectations we have of ourselves in relation to our heads, our hearts, our bodies, our to-do lists, our obligations, and how we’re generally feeling, we make it a lot easier on ourselves. Keeping expectations fluid is a gift we can give ourselves.

This takes practice, especially for those of us who go, go, go regardless of what’s going on internally or externally, so start with baby steps.

If you’re mentally and physically exhausted, can you give yourself some extra time to sleep?

If you have a really busy week ahead, can you do your future self a solid and spend time in your kitchen making some staple recipes so weeknight dinners are easier?

Can you guiltlessly say no to that thing you really don’t want to do?

Can you open up and call a friend?

Can you allow yourself to have a cry?

Can you enjoy soaking in a hot bath?

Can you turn off the outside world and read some gripping fiction?

Can you deliberately drop the ball on something that isn’t actually your ball?

Can you non-apologetically give yourself space to fall apart before you rise again?

You are the only person who knows what you need and where you are. Pay attention, find out, and lovingly meet yourself there.

Molly