The Gentle To-Do List: Planning with Energy, Not Pressure

Listen to the Audio

---

Read the Transcript

I'm so glad you're here with me today.

If you've ever stared at a long to-do list and felt your chest tighten because you know you don't have the energy for all of it, I want to tell you I've been there, too. There are so many days, especially recently, when I've looked at what I “should” be doing and feel completely overwhelmed. For a long time, I thought the only answer was to push through, in part because for a long time I could do that. But honestly, that just left me more exhausted, more frustrated, and feeling like I was failing when things were still on my list at the end of the day.

So recently, I started experimenting with a different way of planning, one that starts with my energy instead of with tasks. Now each morning, instead of forcing myself into a rigid plan, I pause and check in. Do I have low, medium, or high energy today? How am I feeling overall?

• On low energy days, I give myself permission to only tackle one small, doable task, like replying to a message or doing some light tidying around the house.

• On medium energy days, I might outline some writing, record one of these audios, or make a few phone calls.

• When I notice high energy days, that's when I start leaning into bigger projects, things that require more focus or creativity.

The difference is, now that I’m measuring my day with energy and no longer tying my worth to how much I get done, I'm matching what I do to the energy I actually have. And that shift has been huge.

For instance, I woke up yesterday and I’d slept pretty well. In the morning I was thinking about all the things I wanted to do and I felt like I had high energy. Then I went to the grocery store, which for me is a very, very high energy task. I don't love going to the grocery store and it takes a lot of energy for me. So when I got home, I had a huge dip. I almost started to feel like, “Wow, I thought I knew myself better. I thought I knew how my energy is a little bit more than that.” However, instead of talking to myself that way like I usually would, I leaned into what my body needed. I laid down and rested for a little while.

When I got up, I was able to do some creative work that was more medium energy, and it didn't feel like a huge [energy] dip anymore because I was listening.

It was one of the first times I've ever used this method that I've been working on that didn't immediately make me feel like I wanted to blame myself for not being able to do enough. I know that's really big for a lot of you because it's big for me. So, I wanted to capture this process that I've been working on in something simple and supportive.

That’s why I created The Gentle To-Do List Guidebook, which is not a traditional planner. I love my planners. If you've known me for a long time, especially, you know I'm a color-coded girl; but, this new system isn't like that at all. It's a gentle system that helps you start with a quick energy check-in, choose just a few priorities that match how you're feeling each day, build in rest as part of your plan instead of an afterthought, and reflect at the end of the day or week with kindness instead of guilt.

It's definitely become my daily anchor of how I plan my time. And it's one of the reasons I'm getting more done without draining myself. I'll be sharing more about it really soon, including how you can grab your own copy if it sounds like you want to try it or something you need in your life now. I know that's how it started for me - something I really needed.

But for now, I just wanted to encourage you to try starting your list with your energy, not your tasks. Even if you don't write anything down, notice how your body feels today and let that guide what's realistic for you. One small step that fits your energy is more powerful than a dozen tasks you can't move forward on. It's especially more powerful than being stuck in the overwhelm and confusion of trying to soldier through and trying to be kind to yourself.

Today, your best really is enough.

Your energy is really important to how you can move through your day and your week.

I’ll be back soon with more, but I hope this helps for this week.

Talk to you soon. 🩷

---

What’s Next?

Try planning tomorrow with your energy in mind rather than all the things you need to get done.

Sign up for Where Gentle Grows, a weekly newsletter that helps you build the slow, intentional life you dream of (and gives you first access to anything new!).

Get your copy of Confidence that Doesn’t Cost Your Energy: 5 Tiny Shifts to Help You Build Lasting Self-Trust Gently (On Your Terms), a simple way to start feeling good about the changes you want to make in your life.

Grace over Guilt

Listen to the Audio

---

Read the Transcript

Hi, I'm so happy you're here.

You may notice that this audio sounds a little bit different than normal. Rather than our normal calm music, you may hear car sounds in the background. That’s because I am, in fact, recording this as I’m driving on the highway.

I’ve been trying to record an audio for two weeks, and every day I have had a different idea. Then, every day by the end of the day, I’m too tired to actually sit down and make the audio.

So, I'm doing it while I'm in motion in hopes that A. it resonates with you, especially at the end of summer almost beginning of fall when things seem to pick back up and get busy again. And B. to talk about something I’ve noticed over the past couple of weeks that bothers me and I know bothers other people, too.

Last week I encountered an emergency on Monday. It's fine now, and everything is resolved - me and my boys are safe - but it took a lot of physical and emotional work to resolve last week. So, I missed my normal content routine for Capturing Your Confidence, and then this week I’m moving back to my hometown of Fort Wayne, IN. If you've moved recently (or at all) you probably remember that moving is hectic. There's a lot involved.

As I have these ideas I think, “Oh, this would be a really great audio recording,” but I haven’t seemed to be able to pinpoint any of them when I actually do have a moment to record. That’s probably relatable even if you're not moving. There's back to school right now with the kiddos, and everything else.

During this time, I’ve had this nagging sense of guilt that comes with having all of these ideas and not being able to execute on them. There's this feeling badness of me wanting to share more and me wanting to do more with you, the women I work with, but physically and mentally being pulled in so many different directions that I can't do as much as I want in the present moment.

That feeling is something we feel a lot of times. This past couple of weeks, as things have been particularly out-of-control feeling, I noticed that I’ve had to remind myself a lot that our best my best is enough.

The message that I have for you and the work that I do in hopes to help other women with chronic illness and high sensitivity isn't negatively impacted by the fact that I have to deal with real life because that's what we're all doing.

I'm not gonna fib and say that I still don't feel a little bit bad because I do, and I’m so excited to keep working - especially because all of these ideas are so natural and they're so exciting! But I also recognize that these things take time. That's not something I used to be able to recognize before I got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in the fall of 2022, which is really when I started trying to build my slower more mindful lifestyle.

This is a brief reminder today that if you need to step away from a goal or something you can't wait to work on because you don't have the energy. Or, you don't have - in the corporate world we say you don't have the bandwidth - but if you don't have the brain space, it's okay. It will still be there, and if you’re working on something for an audience like a business or a book you're writing or an art project you're trying to complete, whatever it might be, those people will still be there when you're able to work on it.

I would like to think that most people are more understanding than not when it comes to adults being busy in their lives, doing all the things we have to do like taking care of the house, taking care of the bills, taking care of partners, family members, kids, pets, working. We wish that we could do only the things we love and everything else would be taken care of, but that's just not the reality. It's especially hard when you're already dealing with a lower starting point of energy.

I don't have any any main character advice for you today other than it really is okay to be kind to yourself and it's okay if you have to remind yourself multiple times or it feels like you're reminding yourself a lot. I know that happens to me (clearly), so you're not the only one. Things will settle. For some of us that might be a little bit longer than others.

The more you practice telling yourself that it's okay to move at your own pace and that you don't have to overextend yourself, the more your body will fully embrace it. You’ll start being able to do things like lay down for 30 minutes because it's so hot and you are doing so many physical things that you're exhausted by the middle of the day.

I hope that whatever you need today, if you need a break or extra time to complete a task, you’ll give yourself a little bit of grace and remind yourself that you are doing your best and that's enough.

Talk to you soon.🩷

---

What Next

Write yourself a reminder or repeat the affirmation/mantra, “My best is enough.”

Sign up for the Where Gentle Grows newsletter, a weekly pause with inspiration, tools, and resources to help you build the slower lifestyle you crave

Grab the free guide Confidence that Doesn’t Cost Your Energy: 5 Tiny Shifts to Help You Build Lasting Self-Trust Gently (On Your Terms).

Permission to Rest

Listen to the Audio

---

Read the Transcript

Hi, I'm glad you're here with me.

Let's start by taking a breath together. Take a breath in… and out.

I wanted to start with something simple, something true: You don't have to earn your rest.

• You don't have to finish your mile long to-do list.

• You don't have to prove how tired you are.

• You don't have to justify why your body or your spirit needs a slower pace today or any day.

• You don't have to explain why you're providing these things to your body.

You're allowed to rest simply because you're human. Because your body tells you what it needs in energy, not in calendars. Because surviving in this world, especially in a sensitive or an unwell body, already asks so much of you. And I know… I know how loud the voices can be.

That inner voice that's saying, “But I didn't do enough today,” or “But everyone else is still going,” or “I shouldn't be this tired. Why am I like this?” Maybe it’s even, “Why can't I push through like I used to be able to do?” Those voices talk in my head a lot also. They did it today, and they're probably going to do it tomorrow. Summertime is like that for me, but maybe it's wintertime for you.

Whatever you're going through, that voice has been shaped by a world that measures your worth in how productive you are and how much you can rest in scarcity or urgency.

But what if we measured it differently?

What if rest wasn't the reward at the end of a long day, but a resource that makes it possible to move through your life with softness and gentleness towards yourself?

• You don't need to push yourself to the edge of burnout or over the edge to deserve a nap.

• You don't need to collapse to be allowed to pause.

• You're allowed to rest in the middle of the mess, in the middle of the day, in the middle of still figuring it out, before things go completely out of your control or the overwhelm takes place, or the panic sets in.

• You're allowed to take time

That rest can look like anything:

• Maybe it’s laying down with your eyes closed. You don't have to take a nap if you don't want to, but maybe just breathing slowly in and out.

• Maybe it looks like drinking a cup of tea slowly instead of multitasking or having lunch away from your desk instead of working through lunch.

• Maybe it looks like journaling for a few minutes about how you're actually doing instead of how you think you should be doing.

• Or maybe it's simply sitting in the stillness and letting your nervous system settle. If the weather permits, this is a great thing to do outside to just sit and hear and feel your environment around you. Feel the energy, smell the smells, hear the sounds, and just kind of take it in a little bit so that everything else calms down in your mind.

  These things aren't being lazy.

These things aren’t being lazy. They’re being present.

It’s taking care of your body and your mind. It’s you building a life that doesn’t ignore your energy but honors it.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t have to do more to be more. And you’re not behind, even if your day looked nothing like you hoped.

We all have days like that. Some of us have days like that more often than others. That happens to me a lot, I feel; however, it doesn’t mean that you or I is behind. It just means that maybe we need to adapt tomorrow to be a little bit different, right? Or maybe we need to be a little bit more accommodating of our needs for the specific day.

So if you need a sign, here it is. You're allowed to stop, to soften, to care for yourself without feeling guilty,

Every day, not just today, not just tomorrow, but every day that you live. Rest isn't a break from your life, it's a part of living it well.

If this message speaks to something inside of you, I hope that you'll carry it with you throughout the week and whatever times feel hard and overwhelming and you need a rest. You could write it on a sticky note or repeat it like an affirmation.

When the old scripts start saying, “Oh, you can push through, you need to do just a little bit more.”

Try responding back, “I don’t have to earn my rest.” Let that sink it.

It might be hard for a little while until you start practicing, but it’s true. Once you're able to remind yourself of that on a regular basis, you'll start feeling freer to take care of your body and what it needs.

I'm so glad you're here, and I'm really proud of you for choosing gentleness and softness and slowness, even when it feels unfamiliar and maybe not the mainstream thing to do. Ultimately, this is a great way to live and your body and your spirit and your mind will thank you along this journey.

Take care, and I’ll talk to you soon.

---

What Next

Write yourself a reminder or repeat the affirmation/mantra, “I don’t have to earn my rest.”

Sign up for the Where Gentle Grows newsletter, a weekly pause with inspiration, tools, and resources to help you build the slower lifestyle you crave

Grab the free guide Confidence that Doesn’t Cost Your Energy: 5 Tiny Shifts to Help You Build Lasting Self-Trust Gently (On Your Terms)

Welcome to Capturing your Confidence

Listen to the Audio

---

Read the Transcript

Hi, welcome to Capturing Your Confidence. I'm so glad you found your way here.

This space I've created with one simple and powerful intention: to offer gentle support for women who are living with chronic illness, such as Lupus, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - anything that makes you have to adjust your day because of chronic fatigue, chronic pain, things that you have to deal with differently than someone who doesn't have an illness like yours. I'm also here for women with high sensitivity. So if you're an empath, if you're somebody who feels something very strongly kind of gets those emotions and feelings from those around you, this is for you too. What I wanted to do is create a space for you to live well within the life you already have.

You’re not here to be fixed. You don’t need a total transformation.

What you deserve is a space: a space to listen to yourself, to tend to what’s true for you and what you need, and create a slower, more sustainable rhythm that honors your energy instead of fighting against it.

Here at Capturing Your Confidence, I believe that confidence doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It can ebb and flow alongside your capacity and still be absolutely real. I have seen this in my own life, and the lives of coaching clients and students. Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean it’s not there.

So this is a place for softer ways of doing things, for choosing rest without guilt, for creating rituals and habits that support what you need, and for letting go of that pressure to keep up a pace that was never designed for your body or your needs.

What will you find here?

I’ll be offering creative wellness resources made with your energy in mind. Things like calming audio messages, journaling prompts, and printable reflection tools that give you permission to slow down and breathe. It’s not that you need my permission, but sometimes it’s easier when someone says, “It’s okay to do this. You don’t have to worry about it.”

As we grow our community and I work with more women, I’m sure we will pull in all kinds of new and exciting things, all built around a slower lifestyle. A quiet confidence lifestyle that I’m building for myself and I hope that you can build for yourself.

I have a weekly newsletter called Where Gentle Grows, which is a small pause in your inbox where I offer encouragement and soul-tending for the days that ask more of you than you can give. I’ll usually include a quote or some kind of inspiration, a tool or resource to help you manage your life and an audio + blog so you have multiple ways to hear or get the message without having to strain yourself.

Everything I create is rooted in care. It’s not about urgency. It’s about being in the moment, not about pressuring you to change everything in your life.

Capturing Your Confidence isn’t about doing more, it’s about discovering how steady and capable you already are when you’re allowed to move at the pace of your own nervous system.

So take a breath. Stay as long as you like. Let this be a place where gentleness counts as strength, because it is.

I’ll talk to you soon.

---

Resources Mentioned

Where Gentle Grows weekly newsletter

---

What Next

Explore the website

Get a free guide that shows you 5 simple steps to building self-trust on your terms

Sign up for the weekly newsletter

5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Significantly Up Your Happiness Game and Well-Being

Did you know researchers determined that three primary factors affect happiness levels, and only 10% of happiness is determined by external circumstances? Genetics (50%) and intentional activities (40%) make up the primary pieces of the pie. This was a very powerful revelation for me. It suggests that intentional activities offer the most promising means to increase and sustain levels of happiness.

I became an intentional warrior about everything—thoughts/affirmations, diet, sleep, exercise, gratitude, faith, social support, vision, goals, etc. Literally everything. Cultivating happiness is a constant practice. Your daily life, ergo your state of mind, is dictated by your daily choices day in and day out. Small, consistent steps are the foot soldiers that win the crusade for hope and happiness. You have to be in it to win it.

This means living with intention and not just operating on autopilot; creating a life based on choices, not habits; and practicing the sort of person you want to be each day. Sounds simple? It is. But it's not easy. It takes commitment and intention. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Here are 5 lifestyle tweaks that can significantly up your happiness game and well-being.

1. Gratitude

The research on the benefits of gratitude is undeniable. Studies show gratitude to be associated with greater happiness, life satisfaction, joy, and self-esteem. An attitude of gratitude is also associated with reduced depression, anxiety, bitterness, and loneliness. It rewires your neural pathways for good. It’s the easiest thing to practice and the payoff is enormous.

2. Thoughts/Affirmations

Excessive and ruminating negative thoughts and emotions are literal poison to your soul and use neural pathways as their means of attack. When you subject your brain to constant negative thoughts and emotions, you actually change its physical structure—and not in a good way. Sadly, the brain can’t differentiate between actual threats and perceived threats. Losing one’s job and worrying about losing one’s job can wreak the same neural and emotional havoc. Ironically, research suggests that approximately 85% of what we worry about never happens. So, you need to guard your thoughts and internal dialogue.

Moreover, evidence-based research shows that affirmations rewire the brain on a cellular level. It makes sense, really. If crappy self-talk can adversely wire the brain, then positive affirmations can interrupt those maladaptive neuro-nets and rewire your brain for happiness. When you engage in positive affirmations, the neural magic happens. Remember how the brain can’t tell the difference between a real threat and a perceived threat? The sword cuts both ways and works to your benefit with positive affirmations. Since the mind can’t tell the difference between real and pretend, affirmations can program your mind into believing a stated concept. Ah-mazing!

3. Social Support

The Beatles were on to something with their hit “All You Need is Love.” Countless studies show that love and social support are associated with greater happiness, life satisfaction, longevity, and physical health. Moreover, a meta-analysis of studies found that lack of social connections/loneliness carries the same health risks as smoking, obesity, not exercising, and alcoholism—sobering statistics. So, grow your garden of social support…it’s one of the best investments you can make.

4. Faith.

I’m not looking to proselytize. I avoid people who do that like the plague. But there’s just no getting around the fact that studies have determined faith to be an integral and significant predictor of happiness. And by faith, I’m not talking about confidence in Tom Brady’s throwing arm or J. Lo’s unparalleled ability to twerk. I’m talking about the Big Guy (or Girl), Universe, Spirit, Supreme Being, or whomever that higher power may be to you. For me, it’s God.

By “faith,” I’m referring to spirituality in all its forms, not any type of organized religion. Spirituality is universal. The specifics may vary, but all cultures have the concept of a sacred, divine force. Spirituality acts like a lamp, a guidepost. It lights your path during life’s darkest moments and allows the joyous moments to shine even brighter. Believing in something bigger than you; being about something more than you…is where it’s at.

5. Sleep/Diet/Exercise.

Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns affect your brain’s health and neuroplasticity and your happiness. If you don’t think your daily habits affect your happiness, you’re fooling yourself. You can read every self-help book, keep a gratitude journal, and meditate daily, but if the rest of your lifestyle is junk food, sugary energy drinks, alcohol, little exercise, and poor sleep habits, it’s a happiness house of cards. Life and happiness are the sum of all your choices. Choose wisely.

I would love to cultivate “happiness happening” where people become intentional and invested in daily practices to maintain their mental well-being.

In Happy AF: Simple Strategies to Get Unstuck, Bounce Back, and Live Your Best Life, we explore a whole host of strategies, all backed by research, that can help you up your happiness game. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, which is why we examined so many different strategies. Try each one on and see what works best for you. Just like any road trip, there is more than one way to get there. Have happiness habits be the norm rather than the exception. That way, the next time a storm comes (and it will), your happiness will not be easily swayed, helpless like a leaf in the wind; you’ll be firmly tethered, rooted in your happiness.

---

Beth Romero was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. After a thirty-year sojourn on the West Coast, she recently moved back to Philadelphia. In addition to having made her a pizza aficionado, her Italian American, East Coast background inspires the straightforward, humorous, and self-deprecating narrative style that characterizes her writing. With a background and degree in psychology, Beth channeled her creativity into a successful sales and branding career. From Veep to Boss to Happiness Junkie, persuasive storytelling is her superpower. She showcases those skills to their fullest in this practical and entertaining how-to guide for happiness.

Website: https://bethromeroauthor.com/

---

5 Burning Questions About Cacti You’ve Been Dying to Ask

UPDATED JULY 2025

It’s been 6 years since I started Capturing Your Confidence and I’ve grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What started as a desire to write and help others has turned into a passion for creativity and gentle living that are far better than what I could have dreamed up. A girl can’t ask for much more than that, can she? 

One of the first things people ask about when they first see my brand and logo is “Why the cactus?” So today, I’m dishing *all about* the cactus and what it means to me and the business.

What’s the story behind the cactus? 

Cacti are weird little plants - at least they’re little where I’m from because they sit on windowsills. In the wild, cacti are huge! Saguaro cactus, the ones with a straight body and arm-looking structures, can grow up to 45 feet tall. 

As I was working on a creative project, I was particularly drawn to an illustrated cactus. It was kind of odd because I'm definitely not known for having a green thumb. Nonetheless, I loved that little cactus for some reason and it stuck with me. As I began researching, I realized why. 

Cacti are incredibly diverse. They’re true survivors. Those sharp spines they grow? They developed those over time not just to protect themselves, but also to provide shade. One spine might not provide a lot of shade, but when they’re taken together as a group, they offer the cactus a modicum of protection from the hot desert sun. 

They live for hundreds of years in desert environments - some of the harshest conditions nature presents - and some even bear flowers and fruit when they’re mature. By the way, cacti become fully mature at around 70 years old, so it’s completely acceptable if you’re hesitant about being a “mature adult” sometimes. In cactus years, we’re all still young.

The cactus symbolizes endurance, strength, and perseverance. They’re truly adaptable to almost any situation. These are all characteristics I think about when I think about people. 

We’ve all experienced the throes of hardship at some point, right? We’ve all been in survival mode at least to some extent. It’s only once we move through and heal that we can begin to live and thrive. 

People, like cacti, are wonderfully varied and often go through transformative periods. We both survive under great odds and thrive where others wilt under pressure. When you think about it, it’s pretty incredible. 

That’s where the Capturing Your Confidence cactus came from. As for me…I’m definitely a little obsessed now. 

What does confidence & slow living have to do with cacti?

On the surface, not much. But, when you dig a little deeper, it starts to make sense. 

Living differently, slowly, sometimes feel like an act of rebellion. Like you might wake up one day and realize you have to go back to the hustle. Cacti are slow growing, and covered in spikes - not exactly something you want to mess with, right?

When you’re flaring up, stressing out, or just done with everything, you know you need something to change. Creativity and slow living seems like an ideal way to live. But…what if it’s not? What if you can’t pull it off and have to go back to never having spare time? What if you feel lazy and everyone else thinks your lazy and you have to explain it to everyone all the time (including yourself)? Cacti spend weeks and months in the desert with no water, surviving on their own water supply, which is impressive and sad at the same time.

When it does rain, the Saguaro cactus can soak in up to 60 gallons of water. In the same way, life sometimes is almost unbearably heavy. And yet, we survive. Having a chronic illness or a sensitive body means a slower life is better for you - better for your body, mind, spirit, everything really. Being creative can help you build confidence and learn to live more gently, with more imperfections that are beautiful and real. You’re not lazy, you’re choosing to live differently on purpose. As long as you know that, you don’t owe anyone an explanation, full stop. What they think of you is their problem, not yours.

Your life can look like what you need it

Finally, writing can take on any number of forms. Short, long, with pictures, poems, books, and everything in between. Cactus plants come in all shapes and sizes. They’re all pretty neat in their own way, just like writing.

You live in the Midwest, right? So…not anywhere near a real cactus.

Yep! I was born and raised in Indiana and my 2 boys (my dogs) I live here. 

But, I’ve seen real cacti in the wild when traveling and was duly awed. I have a cuddly cactus which I’m in love with – she’s so cute. I’ve had her for a couple of years now and she’s even growing! 

As I continue to do research, I become more fascinated. I love to read about them.

Do you really believe people have the same qualities as a cactus? 

100%. 

The technology we have today allows for amazing things in the way of connecting with people all over the world. But, it’s also disconnected us from our environment and nature. I think we can all learn a lot from slowing down and observing what other kinds of creatures and organisms do to survive and thrive.

Cacti provide a wonderful example because they are such true survivors. In the same way, people have an extraordinary ability to survive even in the worst environments we can imagine. The way the mind can process and compartmentalize and still find a way to function - wow.

So, yes. We may not have (visible) spines or stand out in the desert, but we are a lot like cacti in other ways. 

I want to explore my inner cactus strength and slower living, what do I do next? 

I’m so excited for you. 🩷

The first step is to grab my free workbook Confidence that Doesn’t Cost Your Energy: 5 tiny shifts to help you build lasting self-trust gently (on your terms). I also have a weekly newsletter called Where Gentle Grows where I send inspiration, tools, and gentle journaling prompts to help you think about ways you can slow your life down and feel good about it.

If you’re interested in writing, or you want to be, you could look at my books. There are two (so far) - one inspirational eBook and one storytelling book that will get you feeling good about writing whatever it is you want to write, from journaling to a creative project.

Of course, when you sign up for any of my things, or buy anything, you can get weekly emails that will light up your day. That way you’ll know about all the new things and continue to get tools and resources for your ideal gentle life.

The Complete Guide to Writing Coaching

This guide will help you learn all about writing coaching so you can decide if it’s right for you - and if it is, how to go about finding a coach that fits your needs. 

Table of Contents

Who is Writing Coaching For?

What Does a Writing Coach Do?

Benefits Writers Get from Working with a Writing Coach

Practical Ways Writing Coaching Can Work for You

Where Do You Find a Writing Coach?

How to Choose the Right Coach in 4 Simple Steps

What Happens During a Writing Coaching Session? 

---

Who is Writing Coaching For?

Writing coaching is a great option for people who want to: 

• Improve their overall communication

• Start a new writing project

• Get creatively unstuck or out of a writing rut

• Finish a writing project

• Feel more confident in what they say and how they say it

Who it’s not for people who: 

• Think they already know everything about writing and want confirmation of that

• Believe you can’t improve at things by practicing 

• Aren’t willing to show up to sessions and try new exercises and tasks

As a coach, I tend to work with women who:

• Like to help other people, maybe even as their career

• Want to write a nonfiction book

• Have an idea but don’t know where to start

• Have some writing done but don’t know how to organize it

• Want my help - of course I have specialties, but my biggest goal is to help everyday people tell their stories

---

What Does a Writing Coach Do? 

Writing coaches are professionals who can help you improve your writing. Similar to a teacher, coaches can give you advice, action steps, and encouragement as you work through a writing project. Unlike a teacher, coaches take on a limited number of clients, which allows them to provide better feedback and more support to each person.

Writing coaching tends to happen in two primary ways: in a group or 1-on-1. 

Group coaching consists of getting together with a coach and other individuals to work on a project over a period of time. Many coaches do group coaching for a set number of months with live sessions, Q & As, and periods of time where they’ll give feedback to each member of the group. Having peers to work with over time can be great for getting and receiving feedback, as well as having other like-minded writers to support you on your journey. It’s almost like coaching plus peers.

1-on-1 or private coaching means that it’s just you and your coach during coaching sessions. 1:1 coaching tends to be pricier than groups because of the dedicated time you get with your coach. Usually private coaching comes with customized tasks to work on between sessions, check-ins with your coach, and other ways they let you know that they’re there for you. For many people, this is what they think of as “coaching” more so than a group.

Writing coaches tend to focus on one of three areas: development, skills, and publishing.

Sometimes you’ll find a coach who does more than one if they’ve had extensive experience in more than one part of the writing process, but mostly, we pick one area that we like to work with writers on the most. 

Developmental writing coaches, which is what I am, work with the ideas. We love helping you begin a project and figure out where it’s going and what it can be when it’s done. We work with you on organizing your thoughts and beginning to write. 

We love hearing about all of your wild ideas and we can help you begin to put them on the page with some kind of coherence - because let’s be honest, our brain is great at thinking about things about a mile a minute and not always great when it comes to actually writing said ideas down. 

Some of the major things I work with clients on are creating habits, writing schedules, and organizing their thoughts so the writing process works for them. I also love working with clients who have some writing but aren’t sure where to go next. Above all, I work on confidence - you can do anything you like after the writing is on the page, but you have to be able to get it there first!

Writing coaches who focus on skills are probably the most prevalent. These coaches can work with you to hone your message through the more technical aspects of writing. 

They enjoy working with you on identifying plot holes, developing characters, and figuring out the language of the story (i.e. tone, voice, etc.). They can help you identify patterns to improve your writing, such as words or phrases you overuse or the difference between passive and active voice. For nonfiction, they can help identify areas that might be confusing or where readers might get stuck. 

Sometimes these coaches offer editing services, which is great if you want to eventually share your writing with other people. This also means they can show you how to do an effective edit on your own writing.

Writing coaches who focus on publishing are also called book coaches. There seem to be a large number of book coaches, which is awesome, if a little intimidating. Book coaches help you get your manuscript and proposal ready to query with the hope of getting published by a traditional publishing house. 

They can also help you get a book ready to self-publish if you’re interested in going that route. These coaches are talented in the marketing and networking aspects of publishing. They can help most when your ideas are all shined up and ready to get sent out into the world, as they don’t focus on writing skills or development. 

---

Benefits Writers Get from Working with a Writing Coach

It’s one thing to understand what coaching is all about, but why do people want it? What’s the point? 

The short answer? To write better. (Hah!)

The realistic answer: there are a number of things writing coaches can help you do, depending on your goals. Everyone has a different mindset when they come to coaching, whether it’s a project they’ve been thinking about for years (more common than you might guess) or they want to write a book to get more clients.

It all begins with the confidence to start somewhere, which you can get from working with a coach.

Some of the other awesome benefits of working with a writing coach: 

Workshop your Writing

Any writing coach should be looking at your writing with you, no matter which stage you’re at. Actively working on your writing with a coach can help you navigate new ideas, ask questions in real time, and grow as a writer. Writing is a skill, not a talent, so practice really does make perfect, or rather, practice makes a pretty good finished project. 

Writing Organization

One of the most difficult things about writing is organizing it so that it makes sense to others. That’s where a writing coach can be extremely helpful. It’s completely okay if you don’t write a project or book from beginning to end (I definitely don’t). That doesn’t mean you don’t need a system for filing your writing so you can find the pieces you’re weaving together. You’ll also eventually need to put it in beginning, middle, and end order, so it’s helpful to develop a way to store things for when you’re finalizing everything at the end of the project. 

Writing Goals

Even if you don’t want to write a whole book right now, having writing goals keeps you moving. Writing coaches work with you on setting short- and long-term goals, whether that’s sharing your wisdom with your inner circle or becoming a NY Times bestseller. Your writing goals are unique to you, and your coach should meet you where you’re at, even if you want to write a few pages and see how it goes. Talking through it, setting achievable goals, and checking in on them can do a world of good for your writing.

Accountability

Here’s the thing - people procrastinate. For writers, “tomorrow” can easily become a year from now because they don’t feel their writing is as important as other things in their life. Or maybe because they’re scared. Or they simply don't have anyone to keep them accountable for what they want to get done. Coaches are the ideal people to keep you accountable because they’re there for you. Most coaches check in between sessions and create tasks for between sessions, particularly with 1:1. Having an accountability partner can really help confidence, too, because if you’re working on the tasks, you can stop feeling bad that you pushed your writing goals back again. (Not that I have experience with that at all….haha)

---

Practical Ways Writing Coaching Can Work for You

One of the best (and worst?) things about writing is that it’s incredibly expressive. This is awesome because we get a release of everything that builds up and all of our amazing ideas. It’s also the worst because it can make sharing our work scary as hell. No one really wants to get criticism on such a vulnerable and personal thing. Alas, it’s something we have to do if we want to grow as writers. 

So imagine how nice it would be if an experienced writer read what you’ve written and gave you feedback in a way that doesn’t feel like you got chewed and spit back out. This is where a writing coach comes into play. 

Here are some ways writing coaching can work for you: 

1. You’ll have a dedicated person to look at your writing and give you feedback that won’t make you want to cry ugly tears the rest of the day. I can’t speak for other coaches, but I don’t do the “tough love” thing because I’ve never seen any evidence that it actually works. There will always be things to improve, but it doesn’t have to be a painful process to work on them.

2. You’ll have a mentor to guide you. Someone who knows a heck of a lot about writing is there to help you get to your goals in a way that’s doable for you. Coaching is one part of your life that’s all about you, and having a mentor can open up a lot of opportunities for growth learning. 

3. You’ll be accountable for your writing. It’s easy for writing to get moved to the bottom of your priorities list because it doesn’t always feel important. Even if it does, who’s really going to be keeping tabs on your progress besides you? Having an accountability partner (like your coach), helps you prioritize your writing.

4. You’ll begin to actually get writing done. Having a writing coach is really great for getting writing done on a regular basis because in the back of your mind, you know someone’s waiting to hear what’s next. Someone is excited to help you move forward.

5. You won’t have to face the emotions of writing alone. Writing can be lonely, there’s no avoiding that. Sometimes you might feel stuck or overwhelmed. Sometimes you just don’t know what’s next or where to start. A coach can help you work through these emotions and give you a place to start.

6. You’ll have achievable tasks to work on between sessions. Whether you want to do one coaching session or get coaching on an ongoing basis, a good coach should help you figure out what to work on to keep moving forward. That might be specific tasks between sessions or a next steps list after a single session. You shouldn’t be walking away wondering what to do next. 

7. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Will something “work” in a book? How do you do XYZ without the reader getting confused? Having a sounding board is one of the best parts of coaching because it’s a way to distinguish the good ideas from the ones that aren’t really working. Plus, it’s hard to see what will work. Usually simple is best, but sometimes talking through it is just what you need to get to the next step. 

8. You’ll get a built-in hype person. No one needs a “yes person” but we all need a “hype person” - someone who believes in you and keeps cheering you on whether or not you feel like what you’re doing is good enough. Your coach should believe in you and encourage you regularly, not just to make you feel good but because it’s actually true. 

9. You’ll have support when you’re not feeling confident. I’ve been the writer who pretty much gave up because I thought I wasn’t good enough…for a LONG time. So when I say that I understand my client’s hesitations, I really do get it. A coach is there to build that confidence and make sure you feel good about your writing. Yes, there are other factors, too - skills, plots, etc. But it really all starts with being sure enough in your voice to put something on the page. Everything else comes with it. 

Where Do You Find a Writing Coach?

Typically I would probably say doing a Google search, and that might still be a good idea. After all, you do want to know who’s out there and what they have to offer! Looking on LinkedIn can also be a good place to start your research. 

With that being said, there are a lot of conflicting messages out there and it can be overwhelming. It can also be hard to tell if someone would actually be good to work with when you’re reading website copy designed to get you to buy. 

So, what I recommend is, after you’ve looked around and seen what’s available, ask your friends if anyone knows anyone (usually someone knows someone, especially if they’ve been working on writing, too. Personally, I feel like a reference from a trusted friend is always more comforting than copy on a website or even other reviews. 

If you don’t have a reference, or you found someone who’s really promising, reach out to them! A few emails back and forth or even a quick Zoom call for a question-and-answer session can go a long way in helping you feel comfortable. 

One other thing to note - watch out for the term “best.” It’s subjective, and honestly, what’s best for you may not be what’s best for others. If there’s anything I’ve learned since I’ve been writing professionally and coaching it’s that there’s always someone who’s been working longer or has more extensive experience than you. There are always people who offer services at low prices and luxury prices - neither of which is necessarily bad if they’re providing you with what you need. Coaching isn’t about finding the best coach, but finding the right coach for you. 

---

How to Choose the Right Coach in 4 Simple Steps

Before you look for a coach:

Decide your main goal/purpose for getting a coach

When you’ve identified a possible coach:

Step 1: Read some of their recent content to see if it resonates with you.

Step 2: Find them on social media and see what they’re saying. Look at what others are saying about them & how they interact with their audience. Watch videos if they have any to see what they’re passionate about and how they speak to people.

Step 3: On their website, look further into their personality, experience, and prices. What are they promising? How long will you work with them to see these results?

Step 4: If available, book a complimentary session with them to see how the conversation goes. If they don’t have a free call, reach out to them or apply to coaching. Only take this step when you’re ready to get started - you probably don’t want to get on a ton of calls with people if you already know they’re not a good fit.

Notes on Choosing the Right Coach

• Choosing a coach doesn’t have to be that complicated, but make sure you do your due diligence to know as much as you can about who you’d be working with.

• It’s okay to “pick” someone and wait to work with them. Get involved with their content & community! Use it as an opportunity to learn from them before you work with them.

• If you get any vibes that something isn’t right, whether that’s from copy, content, video, etc., choose another coach.

• If you’re not sure about your first impression, read more about them. Interact with their content, wherever that is (blog, podcast, etc.)

• Budget is important (obviously), but it shouldn’t be your only consideration.

More experience doesn’t always mean “better.” You need to be comfortable with their experience, whether that means education, years of experience coaching, or a specific kind of knowledge that you don’t have yet. Figure out what you will be comfortable with and remember that as you’re learning about them.

---

What Happens During a Writing Coaching Session? 

Writing coaching can vary based on what you want and/or need for each session. By and large, though, what we do is have conversations. These are the things that typically happen in my coaching sessions, and I would imagine them to be quite similar for other coaches. 

Before we dive into strategy and working together on your writing, we first set goals. These goals are what help your coach create the best and most helpful sessions for YOU, because you’re what it’s all about. 

Knowing that everything is centered around your personalized goals, there are several things we’ll talk about each time we meet. They vary in proportions depending on the day and what you need or ask to focus on.

We’ll talk about your project & your writing. I’ll ask how it’s going, what progress you’ve made, what questions you have - all the stuff that’s going on with you right now (even if you didn’t quite live up to your own high expectations - don’t worry, we’ve all been there). This sets a conversational tone for the session, which is how it works best so our time together stays relaxed and productive.

We’ll talk about if or where you’re stuck, what your blocks are, and how to get unstuck. We all get stuck sometimes. It’s a when, not an if. Part of what makes this frustrating is that many times the reason is different each time! It’s not always easy to figure out why you were feeling extra creative on Thursday and completely blocked on Friday.

So we’ll talk about it. Whatever it is, we’ll find it and figure it out. I’m here to help you bust through your blocks like a writing ninja. Well, I’m really more of a Bob Ross: paint your way out of your writing blocks with a happy little cloud (because let’s be honest, I’m definitely not a ninja). 

We’ll talk about your goals & work on them. We’ll check in and see how your goals feel and your progress toward them. We don’t want goals that don’t feel good or don’t feel aligned with what you want to do. We’ll check in on your tasks between sessions and anything good, bad, or ugly that came up while you were working on them. And, we’ll choose a piece to work on during our time together.  

If we need to adjust your overall goals, we will. If you’re still feeling good about them (woohoo!), we’ll talk about the next steps you can take to achieve them - always keeping things doable, of course. For my clients who like to do single sessions, we set up the next three steps they can take to keep moving forward. 

I’ll give you tasks to work on between sessions. Some people call this “homework.” As a teacher, I can tell you from experience that giving homework to an adult, especially a professional, doesn’t always sit well. After all, coaching isn’t school. I’m not there to grade you on how thoroughly you completed an assignment. During coaching, I’ll guide & mentor you (hopefully inspiring you to keep going!), but it’s collaborative, not a teacher/student relationship.

Everything we do is designed to help you based on your goals and what you’ve shared with me. I do give tasks between sessions to remind you of what you’re working toward when we’re not together, and to help you make progress. If you decide not to do them, that’s your choice; but, I think you’ll be intrigued enough to try them out (and you’ll be amazed when the weird stuff works).

No matter what we do, or where the conversation leads, the 3 most important things that will happen in each session are that:

1. You’ll feel good about your project.

2. You’ll have action steps to take to move forward. 

3. You’ll be more confident than when we started (even if it’s just a little).

Strategy does matter. Logistics and goals and all the things that you do to write your book are important. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: you can already do those things. Sure, they might be a little less targeted or take longer. But you don’t need me to write your book - your brilliant ideas and your words will do that for you. 

What you do need is to feel confident about being able to write that book. You need to believe in yourself enough to start even when you’re hesitant and work through it when you’re stuck. You need the best you to write your book, and that’s what I’m here to help show you. 

Yes, I give you strategies because there are plenty of things you learn as a professional writer & writing teacher that might not occur to you to try if you're working in a different industry. But the best thing I can do for you is encourage you and show you how awesome you are so you can continue on your way. That’s what coaching sessions are really all about.

Want to talk more about coaching? Reach out today - let’s have a chat.

There’s No “Easy Button” for Writing: 5 Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way

I was on a Teams call with a colleague the other day and we were working on copy for a new web page. It’s going to be a great resource (if you’re in the healthcare provider world, it might even be for you!).

As we were chatting about the brand style, I mentioned that it irritates me to no end that our brand at work doesn’t use the Oxford comma. Also called the serial comma, it’s the one that separates lists. For instance, it makes me sad, annoyed, and huffy when I have to take them out of all the writing I’m editing. It’s that comma before the and.

Anyway, so we were talking about it and laughing about how many nuances there are, but also he thought it was a funny writer’s rant. After all, no one really cares that much about commas besides writers, right? It is kind of a funny thing to get annoyed about. The funnier thing is that I have this conversation a lot. Like, every time I write for a new client or edit someone’s work. IT’S A CLARITY THING.

Later that evening I was thinking about the conversation because even though I’ve been writing most of my life, there are still things that get me. For instance, I almost always spell the word “professor” wrong the first time, and “restaurant.”

You probably have some of those, too, don’t you?

It’s kind of assumed that the more skilled you become and the more you practice writing, it’ll just somehow get easier. Sure, some things do. Your voice feels more natural, and you can start self-correcting small errors or noticing patterns you don’t like faster. But the truth of it is that writing is actually pretty damn hard, even for those of us who love it and practice it all the time.

Because it’s hard, a lot of people are intimidated by it. Like, who wants to have an intentionally difficult hobby or set themselves up for a career where they literally won’t ever know everything about it?

There’s quite a bit of nuance in writing, though. It’s creative, ambitious, and completely wide open. On the same day you can write about healthcare eligibility and benefits AND cool things the practice of writing has taught you. I mean, that’s pretty neat, right?

All of this is to say that, if you’re looking for an “easy button” for your writing, it doesn’t exist. Part of writing is the process of doing it (sometimes badly), learning, and improving. (And no, ChatGPT does NOT count as an easy button because it’s not you doing the writing.)

When you approach it that way, it becomes a lot more palatable because learning about something you like is fun. Doing something you love, even if you’re not the best at it, is enjoyable and freeing.

If you’re on the fence about whether you want to start writing, here are a few lessons I’ve learned that will help. From one writer to another (even if you haven’t quite named yourself that yet), you can do whatever you want with your writing! But please, for the sake of everyone involved, use the Oxford comma. ;)

Writing is Different for Everyone

There are many writing conventions available to help guide the technical aspects of your writing. I’m sure there are a million videos on YouTube about how to write this or that, too. I’d caution you to be careful with the ones that say you’re going to write a full book in a weekend that will be publishable - that’s likely to end in disappointment.

No matter how you want the writing to look once it’s done, everyone has a different process and habits that work best for them. Some considerations to keep in mind to help you find your groove:

• Do you want to write by hand or type on a computer/laptop/tablet?

• Do you want to be alone when you’re writing? Or does a communal place like a coffee shop inspire you to get creative?

• What kind of mindset do you need to have to feel good about your work? Do you want to accomplish a certain task or write a certain part of the story?

• How often do you want to work on your project(s)?

• Will you be sharing your writing? Or do you want to keep it private and enjoy the feeling it gives you to express yourself on the page?

By the way, there’s not a right or wrong answer to these questions! All are valid. You get to decide how you approach your writing.

There’s More Than One Reason to Write

When we’re in school, it feels like all we do is write essays and research what other people tell us to. Even if we pick a topic, there’s still an element of worry because someone will be grading it. Having been on both sides of the classroom, I can tell you it’s a little nerve-wracking on both sides! Teachers have to figure out how to give kind, but useful feedback on the writing no matter what’s there.

Writing out in the big wide adult world doesn’t have to feel like this at all. People write for any number of reasons, and most of them aren’t tied to school at all! For instance, people write:

• Memos and emails to their colleagues

• Articles that other people will read

• Social media posts (+ videos! There’s quite a bit of wordsmithing done in those, even if you can’t see it in the finished product)

• Poems & Short stories

• Books - for fun and for business

• Journals

• Love notes

• Lists of all kinds

No matter what kind of writing you want to do, there’s a place for it. And you know what? Your nightstand or desk drawer is a perfectly fine place if you want to write just for you. It’s not all about other people.

There’s Not a Right Way to Write

This might be a little contentious, but writing doesn’t always have to be “right” by Western English standards. First of all, that doesn’t take into consideration any regional dialects or accents. But also, people don’t actually sound like that when they talk, so why would all of our writing need to follow those rules?

Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some places where following the rules is necessary. But if you’re just starting out or writing for fun, they’re not really that big of a deal. If it comes up when you’re finished drafting, you can always edit it.

Some fun rules to play around with in writing:

• Dialogue - how people talk and how you can show the way they really speak with words (Alice Walker does an awesome job with this in The Color Purple)

• Capitalization and form (if you want to know how that might look, check out e.e. cummings and bell hooks)

• Ending sentences however you feel like it (not ending a sentence in a preposition isn’t a real rule anyhow)

My advice is to figure out how you want to sound and what sounds like you, then worry about rules that might apply - or not.

Writing is Hard 

The act of writing itself is hard. It’s difficult to build worlds and express feelings and explain the world. There aren’t a whole lot of other activities that require so much of us as writing. Plus, a lot of times it’s lonely because we’re working on our own project or story.

• Putting words on the page that literally didn’t exist before you put them there

• Finding the “right” words

• Saying what you want to say and having others understand it (i.e. “It sounded good in my head but not on paper)

• Our words are powerful, so we have to be aware of that if we choose to share it

• Words can be shared faster than you can blink and say, “Wait, what?”

• You can’t control how others might interpret what you’re saying

• Creating with your emotions can be draining

I think creatives, and especially writers, don’t give themselves enough credit for the amazing things they do. Not everyone is willing to give so much of their time and talents to bring new things into the world. We sometimes take it for granted that we’re drawn to writing as a habit, a lifestyle, or a calling even. Words and stories are what connects us all as people - to be able to figure out what that means and looks like in your own life is incredible.

Writing is a Skill, Not a Talent

This is one of the first things I tell any class or workshop I’m leading. Writing is a learnable skill. You’re not born with it (we’re not Maybelline over here), even if you discover you like it as a young person.

The people who are really good at writing practice…and practice…and practice again. A few other things that can help you grow your writing skills:

• Reading and looking up words you see that you don’t know

• Listening to/watching interviews with authors you admire

• Talking through your ideas out loud either on a recording or with a friend

• Do word puzzles/play word games

• Work on how you think about writing

You can learn to write. If you want to be a “good” writer, you totally can. Or, if you just want to enjoy it without having to go through the annoying “why should I even bother, I’m no good at this” thought process.

Just because there’s no “easy button” for writing doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and enjoy it. I’m constantly surprised and delighted by what I learn through words and I’ve been at it for almost 30 years! Take a deep breath and give yourself a chance - who knows what you’ll be able to create.

If you find you’re stuck, this book for anxious writers might help. :)

Advice for Women on Empowering Themselves, Friends & Family

Throughout history, we’ve seen women march to the beat of their own drum and defy expectations. They’re looked at with fascination, fear, and often ridicule. Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, the suffragettes, and Rosa Parks, were all trailblazers, especially when women have long been expected to remain at home and silently conform.

It wasn’t until education started to become more accessible for women that things changed. They still haven’t changed enough, but they’ve gotten better. Every day there are more expectations, and society is still getting used to the idea that women can accomplish the same, if not more, than men. 

Expectations are too high

While society is changing, we still have a long way to go.  As women, we need to be there for each other as these changes take place. We often feel that we can’t give 100% of a role. We can’t be the perfect worker AND the

• Homemaker

• Wife

• Mother

• Daughter

• Caregiver

• The list goes on

Those are society’s expectations of us, though. We feel guilty when we can’t be 100% in these roles for everyone who needs us. 

It’s a struggle, but we need to let those expectations go.

Yes, we all want to do the absolute best we can, but life goes so fast that we’ll never catch up as much as we want if we focus on trying to be everything for everybody.

How do we support other women?

1. We need to first accept ourselves as vulnerable, imperfect, and the work in progress we all are. 

2. We need to be there for each other. We each learn from an early age many of the expectations:

   Be soft-spoken

   Be well-behaved

   Be lady-like

   Settle down

   Leave the “hard work” to the men

   If we want something better for our own futures, and the next generation’s, we should lead the change. That starts with being there for each other and asking ourselves, how can we help? The world has enough rivalry and women’s progress has been a long and hard time coming. We can do anything, but we should all appreciate that support and teamwork makes most things easier. It’s the way to really be triumphant. 

3. We are women, with goals that dictate progress, happiness, change, and future accomplishments. We cannot be a jack of all trades, time will not allow it; but, we can do it all through teamwork. That means not seeing our female colleagues as competitors but as friends and assets. We should embrace our differences and disagreements - that type of effective communication is the sign of a great workplace. 

4. Just as our ancestors worked hard so we could have a better life, we call it to our descendants to do the same. If we do not stand up for ourselves, we are only going to help slow down the changes we all want to see coming. The only way to propel ourselves forward is through acceptance, advocacy, networking, and teamwork.

---

Annette “Annie” Rodriguez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and started to write consistently when she was in tenth grade. As her writing and creative imagination progressed, Annie became confident enough to share her work and create her own characters. The first draft of Lifeforce was born. 

Lifeforce was picked up for publication by Green Writers Press and her first novel was published in February 2019. Lifeforce’s sequel, Immortality’s Peril, is in progress. 

Annie’s writing is accompanied by her impressive background as a practicing attorney, holding two Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees. Lifeforce was published during her first year of law school. A minority woman who has worked with students, Annie’s passion for writing keeps her sane in the sometimes harsh reality of training to practice law.

7 Inspiring Quotes for Busy Days

Some days we all just need a little pick me up - a reminder that even on our busiest days when life feels like it’s just too much, we’re still pretty awesome. It kind of comes with the whole human thing.

One thing I love to do is collect quotes. Maybe it’s the word person in me, but I would like to think that we can all get value out of hearing that other people have been where we are and have gotten out/up/figured something out.

So I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes when it’s that kind of day. It’s not always Monday, either! If you, like me, enjoy being surrounded by beautiful words, feel free to write them on a Post-It note for encouragement around your workspace.

No matter what today brings, or tomorrow, you’re worth taking a moment to breath. I see you, I feel you, you can get through this.

Even a little effort makes a difference! Your biggest dreams start with trying a little bit and taking small steps.

When you feel overwhelmed in the moment, take a deep breath in and slowly let it out. The only thing you have to do right now is decide what one small thing to do next. You can do this.

This busyness will not last forever. It will pass and you’ll get to where you want to be. Remind yourself that this discomfort is a temporary stepping stone.

Your dreams aren’t too big. Like Marie Forleo says, “Everything is figureoutable.” Keep taking small steps forward and remember what you’re working toward.

Sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith and let the universe show you what’s next. (Believe me when I say my anxiety brain HATES that this is true…but it is.)

Everyone has their own definition of what a happy life is. Whether your busyness is because of work or the season of life you’re in, you can choose to be happy with the small things each and every day. You are the one who makes that decision.

We need money to survive, but as cliché as it is, money isn’t everything. Beyond living comfortably, there are plenty of other things that make life beautiful when you create time to step away from the stress and busyness we all face from time to time (some of us more than others).