Hey there —

We’ve all fallen for it.

The idea of a secret sauce. A magic formula. THE way.

The entrepreneur with a million followers and a new book says that by getting up at 5am every day and making your side-hustle your first priority, you too, can turn it into a 6-figure income in only 90 days.

Or the cookbook you bought hoping it would inspire you to eat less takeout says that store-bought condiments are lame and you should really make your own mayo from scratch.

So you get up at the crack of dawn and throw the Hellman’s in the trash, sure that you’re on the cusp of a totally transformed life.

Here’s the thing. Seeking advice is great. Tools are helpful. Learning from others’ experience is even better.

But what happens on day four when you’re on your third cup of coffee and your Word doc is still blank because you’ve lost the ability to form coherent sentences?

And, sure, homemade mayo might be delicious, but what if you don’t have the time, patience, or arm strength to painstakingly whisk oil into eggs one drop at a time in the hopes that it "emulsifies" (whatever that means)?

While one-size-fits-all is great for beanies and fuzzy socks, trying to apply it to every aspect of your life — your habits, diet, goals, career, and relationships — is a fantastic way to frustrate yourself right into quitting when your results don’t look like the perfect picture on the box.

Instead of trying to force something that’s not working, or feeling shame because you didn’t meet an arbitrary standard someone else set, recognize that there are many different paths to personal growth and success.

Here are 2 tips for finding what works for you.

Test it
If you weren’t aware, we’re big fans of trying stuff.

Want to wake up early like your favorite YouTuber? Try getting up at 5am for a week. Did you make progress? Awesome! Did it make you nothing but miserable? Try something else.

When it comes to pursuing growth or goals, it’s okay to throw things at the wall and see what sticks — because a lot of it won’t.

Simplify it
We often make things more difficult than they need to be. But what if we could make things more effortless?

Still love the idea of homemade mayo, even if you lack the upper body strength? There’s a blender for that.

Not every method, routine, or process is going to be obvious. Make modifications, take what serves you and your goals, and leave behind what doesn’t.

At the end of the day, it’s all about growth. Whatever way helps you get there is the “right” way.

Can’t Seem to Meditate? 7 Joyful Activities for You to Try Instead

Article | by Ingrid Fetell Lee

While we’re on the topic of finding what works for you, check out these 7 activities that can help you practice mindfulness if you, like the author, have found that meditation just isn’t your thing.

Read the article → 

How to Read the News With Intentionality

Article | by Kamrin Baker

The news can be…a lot. You want to be aware of what’s happening in the world, but how much is too much, what sources can be trusted, and how do we maintain hope and optimism when headlines are bleak?

This piece, from the folks behind the Goodnewspaper, provides some practical advice on how you can stay accurately informed while also taking care of your mental health.Read the article →

This is Not a Jump Scare

Tool

Clicking this link feels like flirting with danger. But you should totally click on it.

It just might turn out to be oddly relaxing. (If you can get past your trust issues.)

Click here

Written by Ashley Martin

Edited by Matt D'Avella & Shawn Forno