And I do mean we because holy mother of pearl this past season (and year in general) has been a lot and we could not have done this without each other. 

Making it to this moment also means you get to join me for my first imperfect newsletter. As a recovering perfectionist I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to be proud of myself for putting something out there I know may include a few mistakes. It’s also why you’ll see the word imperfect a lot around here because I think you can never have too many reminders that perfection is not the goal.

How often do you struggle to acknowledge how far you’ve come because you’re so fixated on how far you have to go?

Spoiler alert: there is no finish line. And the goal was never making it to the finish line anyway - it was staying committed to path. To the practice. To “doing the work” with ourselves and each other.

Now, don’t get me wrong where we need to go is important. It’s vital even. There are systems to dismantle and reimagine. And that transformation depends on all of us so we have to keep doing the work and we also need to learn to give up rushing and the illusion of perfection during the process. We need to pay attention to the times when we are fueled by the have to’s and supposed to’s, the grind and the mirage of the finish line.

We need to learn that doing the work also means we learn to rest so we can keep going. That we practice self compassion so we can keep going. That we give ourselves permission to slow down and process when we need to so we can keep going. That tending to our basic needs like hydrating, eating, and sleeping is essential so we can keep going.

Because if we don’t we’ll never learn to do the work sustainably. We risk missing important goal posts along the way. The reminders that we are moving in the right direction no matter how imperfect. We may miss the outstretched hands of support letting us know we are not in this alone. We miss the cues from our precious bodies that we need rest, refuge, and tenderness.

So as we transition into a new month and season can you let this be an opportunity to practice compassion with yourself as you imperfectly walk the path? To be tender with your human self? May you meet your needs with kindness during this season so you can keep going sustainably. Slowing down not because it means you’ve stopped doing the work, but because it is imperative to continuing the important work you do. 

What you have to offer is meaningful, imperfections and all. Be compassionate with yourself Your effort is worthwhile. You wouldn’t have gotten to today without it and I’m so glad you’re here.