Hi my friends,

There’s something really beautiful about being able to connect, share, and forge relationships with almost anyone in the world, through the wonder that is technology! I really, really love that I am able to write every week in this space, and you can read it from wherever you are, and you can feel the energy in my words and hopefully find some sort of relief from the topics discussed.

I love hearing feedback and comments from you all, but of course, there will be times when we disagree. I recently had an experience where I shared something on social media, something that felt true and inspiring to who I am, and I got a few comments from people who disagreed, and they really let me know. Some not so nice words were thrown at me, and for a minute I froze, I questioned myself, I felt a bit anxious, my heart started beating faster, and I had to pause.

Why was I feeling this way? I’m generally not an anxious person, but I felt a rush of anxiety in this moment. Certainly I know that not everyone is going to agree with my views, and that’s completely ok. So, what was it?

When I went a bit deeper with myself I unearthed that I had this underlying belief that I had to be everything, to everyone. What?! As crazy as this sounds, the people pleaser in me just wants to be liked and really dislikes criticism and confrontation.

Can any of you relate?

The second I remembered that I do not have to be everything to everyone, it immediately calmed my nerves and brought myself back to a semblance of peace. What a relief! I can be me, you can dislike it, and that’s totally okay!

So what does this mean exactly? It means that you don’t have to have everybody like you to be a valid, worthy, and loved human being. You don’t have to stress yourself out trying “do it all” in order to be successful. You don’t have to save the world by yourself. You don’t have to be a superhero.

All you really have to do is to continue to show up every day, in your authentic truth, whatever that may mean to you. All you have to do is be kind and compassionate. All you have to do is notice and be aware of what lights you up and follow that. All you really have to do is be, the rest truly is just details.

So the next time an inexplainable bout of stress or anxiety comes your way. Ask yourself if you’re trying to live up to the unattainable expectations of pleasing everyone and of being everything to everyone…and then take a deep breath, and let yourself off the hook. By simply doing what’s true for you, you’re always doing enough.

xo, Michelle