Evie Loves January/More = Less

Evie, my evil inner critic, loves January. So many people telling me all the things I should buy or do to be better or different than I am — it’s like they’re reading my mind! Heck ya I wanna be richer, thinner, more educated, more traveled, have a “capsule wardrobe” that makes me feel like I’m wearing pajamas while looking “effortlessly chic.” And yet …

I already told Evie we aren’t doing s-it for the new year. My plan is to keep going with what we had going last year, which was working well enough. I’m in stay-the-course mode, chase less, live more mode. I know what works for me and that playing with more-itis isn’t it. Maybe — maybe — I might get one new pair of black leggings or replace the jogbra that needs replacing. But also, maybe not even that.

As a recovered over-do/burnout/over-doer,  I’ve learned that I do plenty without even trying — my days are full enough, valuable enough, when I don’t push to add on. When I start thinking about more, having more, doing more, being more or different — I wind up with less of what I’m really after — less peace, less joy, less bandwidth for taking care of myself, my relationships, and others.

By contrast, Evie would like this year to be the year that I “monetize everything” - or at least - “grow my following” - or at least - “uplevel my brand.” Evie thinks make-up or an injectable would help. Plus a new kitchen.

“But Evie,” I said, “I’m okay like this. I have enough, I do enough, and I like my days how they are.”

“You’re wrong,” she says. “You’re not okay. You could be … you should be ….”

And I say to her, “No, Evie, YOU’RE wrong. If I coulda, or shoulda, I woulda.  The last time I bit this more or different hook I wound up feeling worse, not better, so back off!”

I’m gonna keep going.