I am a newbie and my posts typically do not get a lot of engagement, but I recently posted a picture of the beach with a caption about how I was overwhelmed by my to do list but decided to go to the beach anyway. The post got over 1.5k likes, which tells me that so many of us are craving a different way of moving through the world, but far too little of us are embodying it. I have actively been carving out ways to move through life with more presence and ease, but I admit that when I see my peers still running circles around me with their curated busyness, I feel a little guilty. But I keep going because I know the more of us who take our time back, the more we give others permission to do the same. And that’s exactly what you’re doing with this space, so thank you!
Stephanie, I totally agree—the beach photo you shared sounds like it says so much about what we’re all aching for: permission to step off the hamster wheel and remember we’re allowed to be. And I love how you put it—how we are craving this and yet far too few of us are embodying it.
And it’s so hard to do when the bar around us—the accepted way of living—is doing and achieving. I feel like when I am not an active participant, my nervous system begins to sound an invisible alarm. The idea of presence and ease maybe seems to be a practice—a rewiring. With lots of trial and error for so many of us! :)
Your awareness and your bravery to choose presence over performance—it’s such a revolution. And I think you are totally right: the more of us who embody this, the more space we create for others to exhale and let go. I’m so grateful you’re here and so moved by what you’re building. Keep going. I’m SO glad that note of yours got so much traction. You’re creating ripples. I haven’t been getting your stuff in my feed—I’ll have to check that out!
I came across this maybe 15 years ago and found it helpful for a way of living. Enjoy if you are not familiar.
Desiderata: Original Text
This is the original text from the book where Desiderata was first published.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Oh, thank you so much for sharing this. I had heard of the Desiderata in passing but never actually read it in full until now. What a gift. The lines “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself” and “you are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars”—they hit especially deep this morning. It echoes so much of what I’m wrestling with in shedding perfectionism. I’m going to tuck this away and return to it often. Truly grateful you took the time to share it here.
Sam, as a fellow recovering perfectionist I can relate to your comment so much! In fact, I scheduled this out a while ago and so re-reading it again this morning was so helpful. Lol. I am so glad it helped you too!
I am a newbie and my posts typically do not get a lot of engagement, but I recently posted a picture of the beach with a caption about how I was overwhelmed by my to do list but decided to go to the beach anyway. The post got over 1.5k likes, which tells me that so many of us are craving a different way of moving through the world, but far too little of us are embodying it. I have actively been carving out ways to move through life with more presence and ease, but I admit that when I see my peers still running circles around me with their curated busyness, I feel a little guilty. But I keep going because I know the more of us who take our time back, the more we give others permission to do the same. And that’s exactly what you’re doing with this space, so thank you!
Stephanie, I totally agree—the beach photo you shared sounds like it says so much about what we’re all aching for: permission to step off the hamster wheel and remember we’re allowed to be. And I love how you put it—how we are craving this and yet far too few of us are embodying it.
And it’s so hard to do when the bar around us—the accepted way of living—is doing and achieving. I feel like when I am not an active participant, my nervous system begins to sound an invisible alarm. The idea of presence and ease maybe seems to be a practice—a rewiring. With lots of trial and error for so many of us! :)
Your awareness and your bravery to choose presence over performance—it’s such a revolution. And I think you are totally right: the more of us who embody this, the more space we create for others to exhale and let go. I’m so grateful you’re here and so moved by what you’re building. Keep going. I’m SO glad that note of yours got so much traction. You’re creating ripples. I haven’t been getting your stuff in my feed—I’ll have to check that out!
I hope you have a beautiful day. ❤️
I came across this maybe 15 years ago and found it helpful for a way of living. Enjoy if you are not familiar.
Desiderata: Original Text
This is the original text from the book where Desiderata was first published.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
Oh, thank you so much for sharing this. I had heard of the Desiderata in passing but never actually read it in full until now. What a gift. The lines “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself” and “you are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars”—they hit especially deep this morning. It echoes so much of what I’m wrestling with in shedding perfectionism. I’m going to tuck this away and return to it often. Truly grateful you took the time to share it here.
ohhh thank you for reminding me of this passage. how differently it hits today than cerca 10 years ago 🦋
This is so beautifully written. Thank you x
Thank *you* ❤️, Michelle!
Love this one ❤️
Thank you, Mary Ann! ❤️
As a recovering perfectionist, this was such a good read. Thank you!
Sam, as a fellow recovering perfectionist I can relate to your comment so much! In fact, I scheduled this out a while ago and so re-reading it again this morning was so helpful. Lol. I am so glad it helped you too!