May 13

Hi Reader,

Not gonna lie.

I struggle with the pressure to do it all: clean the house, cook dinner, raise a toddler, grow a business, and pursue creativity.

This is impossible and unrealistic for one person.

Yet, in a society that leaves families to fend for themselves, it's no wonder many of us feel on our own.

Even if you're not a parent, you can still relate to getting overloaded by expectations, pressures, rules, and tasks.

I say this because having these pressures and demands on our attention and energy causes time to speed up.

It can create a perception of there not being "enough" time and that we need to optimize every second.

This couldn't be further from the truth.

How do we slow down and get out of this cultural rat race?

1) Release the rules that drain us

Rules are limits we place on ourselves, and we often choose them subconsciously.

Not all rules are bad, but many of them stop us from becoming our most vibrant selves.

They differ from laws in that we don't have to follow them.

We can discover what rules we've claimed whenever we say things like:

• I "can't"
• I "shouldn't"
• I feel guilty

If we believe a good wife and mother cook and clean every day, why is that?

Is that true? Or a rule we subconsciously picked up?

If we feel valuable at work only when our execution is flawless, why is that?

Is that true?

Most of the time, the answer is no.

In this case, it's an opportunity to create a new rule or eliminate it altogether.

To hear more about this life-changing concept listen to this podcast episode with Terri Trespicio.

2) Asking for support

This is THE hardest thing for me to do.

By necessity, after becoming a parent, I know without a doubt we're not meant to do life alone.

Plus, humans are healthier when they're social.

In the macro, real support would involve changing our systems, laws, and culture to create a foundation of sustainable well-being.

Since that may not happen in our lifetime (but wow, how cool it would be if it did), we can do what's in our immediate control.

We can build our own villages of support and spearhead the change in our own communities by example.

First, we'd need to set aside individualistic pride and get the courage to admit we need help.

Second, we need to be specific.

Most people want to help but don't know how.

Third, it helps if we become a space for others to feel comfortable enough to lean on us in times of need.

This is why I'm eternally grateful for my tight-knit Italian family.

Growing up, I always felt this sense of support and love.

Like they always had my back and would be there for me if I needed them.

Ok, these two alone are a lot to take in.

Chew on them this week and see what comes up for you.

I'm all about doing the actual work, and these two alone sent me into a tailspin.

If you need a space to process and talk this out, please share your thoughts here!​

​
Francesca

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

​
- Dan Millman

Move up the ladder to higher vibrations by writing at the top of a blank page:
​
​

What's a rule I follow, and is it healthy for me?
​
​

and see what flows from your pen. No judgment or editing.

Hey, Reader! If you like this email and want to support it, you can:
​

• ​Consider a monthly donation. For $5 a month, you'll get extra perks and help our small team continue to deliver original, inspiring content.
  ​
• ​Buy our signature dad hat. Or cloud comfy sweatshirt. The perfect complement to your morning routine or workouts.
  ​
• ​Buy ​my ebook. For the entrepreneur and remote worker who wants to run their business and time with clarity and confidence.
  ​
• Share with a friend using your unique link below!