What part of work has been taking up more space in your mind than it deserves? Maybe it is a conversation you keep replaying, a pressure you have been carrying, a mistake you cannot stop thinking about, or the feeling that you should be doing more. Ask yourself: What am I making this mean about me? And if I let go of the story for a moment, what is actually true?

This week, notice where you’ve been holding your breath in your life. Not literally, but emotionally or mentally. Where are you bracing, where are you waiting, or where are you trying to get it “right” before you let yourself relax? Then gently ask yourself, "what would it look like to soften here, even just a little?" You don’t have to change anything. Just notice.

How old are you? What aspect of life do you feel behind in? What are the biggest influences that make you feel that way?

For me, I've been pushing down feelings of stress and calling it fine. I know how counterproductive that is. Naming the feeling honestly can be overwhelming because I'm admitting to going through something, which means it needs to be addressed. While at the same time, I know naming it for what it is will help me take steps to make it better. Talking about it, taking time to meditate, exercise, etc. are all things that are often left in the backseat of my daily priorities. Which I realize now as I'm writing this is likely contributing more to the stress I've been feeling.

I finished college later in life, started making a bit more money later in life, had kids later in life. I often am grateful for the kids coming later, because I don't think I, personally, would have had the responsibility, empathy, and patience that I do today to be the parent I would've wanted to be when I was younger. The money thing is what gives me the most anxiety these days. I know I'm not alone in that. My retirement is nonexistent, savings are minimal, and every week I get groceries it seems I get less food for the amount of money shelled over. In this aspect, I try to stay positive, remind myself I still have time to figure it out, and there are millionaires and even billionaires that didn't start getting their fortunes until they were in their forties. This is where I need to trust my timing the most.