Hi and happy Wednesday!

Someone asked me yesterday what this newsletter was about, and I replied with something along the lines of "it's semi-controlled shrapnel from the glitter-bomb inside my head."

I've been writing this newsletter on and off for almost 5 years. I am not always consistent, but I do always come back. While it has taken many forms and covered many topics, its always centered around the really light and easy-to-answer question: how do we live with more meaning, purpose and connection? (I'm fun at dinner parties!) I talk a lot about parenting and work and creativity, as those are all things that have helped, or forced, me to live life.

All of this to say, I am eternally grateful that I have anyone willing to read and / or respond to these emails. Life nowadays can feel so isolating, and I am a huge proponent of building connections when, where and however possible.

With all of that said, here's a curation of things on my mind for the middle of your week. These are excellent deep-dives or rabbit-holes of procrastination, so I'm sorry / you're welcome.

Last week I shared the story of how we named our daughter Lark. The name Lark is taken from my maiden name, Larkin, which I appreciated in theory, but had extreme anxiety about in reality. I remember actually thinking..."What will this look like on a resume?!?!" But what I've learned in the 5 years since she's been born is that it's the person who makes the name, not the other way around.

This is foreshadowing those middle school conversations, I can already tell. The ones where we urge our children to understand that what makes them different is what makes them awesome. Like most millennials, I don't think I really believed that until I was a full-blown adult. But what I'm finally realizing is that there is so much more energy required to squeeze yourself into a mold that's not you. There's freedom in doing things your own way.

Speaking of trying to "fit in"....I saw this post from the Holistic Psychologist. This line from her caption really brought it home for me: "The midlife crisis is very real. It’s so common because one day people wake up and wonder whose life they’re actually living. The reality is: they’re living the life someone else wanted for them. This leads to regret, illness, and resentment."

Personally, I'm not a big fan of regret, illness or resentment.

So this is a reminder to evaluate and reevaluate, often. What's working? What's not? Why are we doing [waves hands] any of this?

With kids, things are always changing. It seems that needs, expectations, and routines need to shift about every 6 months (or days, or minutes). It's hard. But maybe it's also a gift. Maybe all of those changes are pivot points that force us to look up, take a breath, and readjust as needed.

(sidebar: this is why I love the YouMap assessment that I use in Career Pathfinding. It's an exceedingly practical tool that highlights your top strengths, values, skills and interests, crucial data points to know and leverage if you're trying to do work that feels purposeful and like you, not someone else.)

I recently reorganized my bookshelf and rediscovered one of my favorite motivational books, You Can Do Anything, Magic Skeleton. It's, quite frankly, ridiculous, and filled with creepy drawings and motivational words to help you "move your butt and get you to do the thing."

Guys, it's so weird, and I love it. Especially this one:

"The day you realize that nothing can stop you because you are a MAGIC SKELETON packed with MEAT and animated with ELECTRICITY and IMAGINATION. You have a cave in your face full of sharp bones and five tentacles at the end of each arm. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, MAGIC SKELETON."

ok, and also this one:

"Drink some coffee. Listen to some birds. Feel the breeze. Give love into the world and receive it in return. Now open the little box inside your heart marked RIGHTEOUS FURY and let the tornado captured inside take you, carry you, and return you to the fight once more."

Go forth, magic skeleton, and do the thing!

:)

Catherine

p.s. I've been filling my calendar with coffee chats! Because I love coffee, but also connecting with people. So grab 30 minutes and a snack or drink and let's meet, or re-meet, or brainstorm, or sit and draw together, or discuss the latest episode of The Great (so good). Or if you're interested in Career Pathfinding, we can talk about that, too!