I heard something interesting on a podcast today that also came up in therapy before. The difference between “but” and “and.” When we say: “I’m proud of myself but I still have a lot to work on.” Our brain tends to erase the first part. The “but” tells the brain that what came before it doesn’t really count. Now try this: 💜 “I’m proud of myself and I still have a lot to work on.” Both things get to exist. You’re acknowledging progress and growth. Another example: “I’m really tired today but I still have things to do.” vs. 💗 “I’m really tired today and I still have things to do.” One feels like you’re dismissing your experience. The other feels like you’re being honest with yourself. Sometimes our brains relax when we stop forcing things to cancel each other out. 💡 Two things can be true at the same time. You can be strong and overwhelmed. You can be grateful and struggling. You can be healing and still having hard days. Language shapes how our brains interpret our lives. So today you might try swapping but → and and notice how it feels. ✨ Have you ever noticed you use “but” in this situation before?

And I know many of the women in this community are carrying a lot. Work. Families. Responsibility. Emotional support for everyone else. So today I wanted to give you something small. I made a few encouragement images you can save to your phone for the days when you need a reminder to breathe and keep going. Messages like: • You are worth more than you believe. • You are doing better than you think. • Her strength isn’t loud — it’s steady, brave, and unstoppable. • You’re allowed to rest. Resting is also moving forward. Sometimes we just need a reminder in the middle of a busy day that we matter too. Consider these a little gift from me to you today. 💜 If one of them speaks to you, tell us which one in the comments.

No one sees the mental tabs you have open. Dinner. Emails. Appointments. Forms. Laundry. Emotions. If you’re tired but can’t explain why — it’s not weakness. It’s cognitive load. Today’s reset: write down everything looping in your head. Seeing it reduces it. You are not behind. You are carrying a lot.

Grab a pen. Draw three lines. Add dashes. Add a loopy line. Add dots. No goal. No talent required. Just let your hand move for 30 seconds. Your brain relaxes when your hands have something simple to do. That’s it. That’s the pause.

Find joy in the small things. What are you celebrating today?