Monday Mindset
Flexibility: bend, don’t break
This Monday is mixed for many of us, so I’m sending lots of love. Tend to yourself and your loved ones. Lean in to the connections of community. Spend some time in Dr. King’s words.
Wherever you are today, however you’re feeling, there’s room for it. There’s room for you. Tune in, and tend to what needs care.
Quick links for this month’s posts:
In continuing with this month’s theme, we’re talking about the importance of Flexibility in alignment.
“Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.”
—John C. Maxwell
If you want to live a life aligned with your values and priorities, structure isn’t the only thing necessary. Flexibility is key to a healthy and balanced life.
You are not static (read: you are not a robot, my friend). You will have different energy needs, moods, and strengths depending on the day. Don’t be reluctant to pivot when following your plans no longer makes sense.
You already have the structure, values, and priorities in place for this season of your life (or you’re well on your way). From here, let go of the rigidity and allow for flow of movement. You are not a machine! You need air, sun, and sky. You need laughter, connection, and quiet. Don’t just say yes to the things that move you ahead. Say yes to the things that make your heart come alive. Say yes to taking good care of yourself.
In order to take good care of yourself, you need to be attuned to what it is you need.
Readjusting our expectations, our attention, and our energy output is what being flexible looks like in the moment. Not everything is worth readjusting for, and this is why attunement is important in our approach.
Incorporating moments of self-connection into your schedule will encourage you to touch base with where you are each day. Instead of neglecting yourself, you are learning to turn toward, and nurture, the vulnerable places.
Weakness is not a failure. It is a sign of something that needs support, care, or tending. Flexibility in your approach might look like taking a walk instead of doing the high intensity workout you’d planned if your body is needing a break. It could look like calling a friend on your lunch break instead of scrolling through the apps.
Flexibility is also important because it helps you leave room for the unexpected.
You cannot know what you cannot know. What would it look like to let go of the inability to control tomorrow and instead focus on what today brings? Once you have your structure in place, knowing what is important to you, it’s also important to allow for wiggle room when something unexpected, yet aligned, comes along.
Knowing your values and priorities will help you make more grounded decisions as opportunities arise. Not everything is serious, either. Remember to leave room for connection, creativity, and joy. Does something help with your hope? Go for it! Does this opportunity sound like one that will boost your creativity? Why not join it? Sure, weigh the cost of time, resources, attention, and effort, but don’t keep yourself from something life-giving just because you didn’t account for it.
Keep an eye on your reasoning, too. I passed up a few opportunities over the years, not because I thought they weren’t for me, but due to fear of putting myself out there. Without shaming past me, I am shifting my approach.
One of my words for this year is try. I’m gonna put myself out there in all sorts of ways and keep trying new things that are aligned with my values and hopes. I’m done with holding myself back. I already know that flexibility means I can pivot at any time.
I hope you will take the permission that flexibility offers in the areas you need it, too.
How flexible are you with your schedule?
Do you allow yourself to say yes to things you hadn’t anticipated but would love to do?
Make yourself a “things I want to say yes to” list. Letting your mind think of as many situations that could arise as possible, write down the kinds of things you want more of in your life. This way, when opportunities arise, you already have a jumping-off point from which to consider saying yes (and allowing yourself to change your schedule to accommodate them).
I’d love to hear from you. How flexible are you in day-to-day life? When did you last move something around in your schedule to do something unexpected?
Sending so much grace! Paid subscribers, I’ll see you right here on Wednesday.
"Don’t be reluctant to pivot when following your plans no longer makes sense."
Thank you for these very important, life-giving reminders. xo Julia