Sometimes the biggest battle is not forgetting what you already know. Today’s Thought of the Day and Question of the Day hit a little close to home (and not in the cozy “socks and soup” kind of way). We’re talking about those moments when doing nothing feels like an emotional safety net—when really, it’s a trap—and the things we have to remind ourselves over and over again, even though we’ve technically “learned” them before.
Let’s unpack.
Thought of the Day: Waiting it out is not a winning strategy.
I’m guilty of this. Of telling myself, “It’ll sort itself out,” or “This’ll pass,” or my favorite: “Let’s just wait and see.” And sure, sometimes waiting is patience. But more often than not, it’s just procrastination dressed in yoga pants, pretending to be Zen.
Life doesn’t always reward the passive. Growth doesn’t usually knock on your door while you’re curled up binge-watching life go by. And if it does? It’s probably there to collect rent.
When I look back at the times things actually changed—meaningfully changed—it wasn’t because I waited them out. It was because I acted. Even imperfectly. Even shakily. Even when I wasn’t sure what I was doing.
Waiting is easy. Acting takes guts.
Question of the Day: What do you constantly have to remind yourself of?
For me? It’s simple:
Don’t overreact. Remain calm.
Now, I know this. I know it better than I know the lyrics to any song from the 90s. But apparently, knowing it and remembering it in the moment are two different skill sets.
Here’s what usually happens: Something throws off my day a kid spills juice on the couch, a deadline shifts, someone sends a text with “…” at the end—and my brain decides to light a flare and summon the drama squad.
But when I catch myself in time? When I pause, take a breath, and respond instead of react? Everything is easier. I parent better. I think better. I even breathe better. Like my lungs get less judgy.
Reminding myself to stay calm isn’t about pretending things aren’t frustrating. It’s about not letting momentary chaos hijack long-term peace.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
What’s your go-to self-reminder? The mantra you wish you remembered before things go sideways?
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