LA’s hottest trend right now?

A little virus that barges in unannounced and squats in your respiratory system until it’s ready to move on to its next victim. (That, and either baggy, flared, or skinny jeans—I honestly don’t know anymore.)

Last week, this little menace got me, and I was reminded how much I hate not being at 100%.

No one likes being sick. It’s famously uncomfortable and shrinks your world to your couch, surrounded by a halo of crumpled tissues.

But I want to talk about the layer of discomfort on top of the sickness:

Not being okay with being less than 100%

I work with passionate powerhouses—people who give a sh*t and get sh*t done. Operating at 100% is one of your superpowers, and you’re recognized and rewarded for being this way.

But we both know that giving 100%—100% of the time—is untenable.

You get sick. You take on caretaker roles. Your priorities shift. And sometimes, your work isn’t supporting or lighting you up, so you can’t muster your usual 100%.

You know that you’ve gotta accept where you’re at, readjust your expectations, and resist the urge to push through. But it’s hard to give yourself permission.

Why?

Because not being at 100% can be very stressful for people whose performance and success—and even love—have depended on always being at their best

I’m not going to pepper you with research-backed reasons to chill. You already know that stress is bad for your immune system, cognitive functioning, and creativity.

I’m also not going to give you a BuzzFeed style list of stress mitigation techniques, because you already know the basics—and each of us resonates with different wellness tools.

Instead, I want to ask you this:

How can you give yourself permission to embrace where you’re at—and trust that it will all turn out OK?

Personally, I reduced my number of priorities. Cancelled non-essential meetings. Binge watched Severance. Checked with my doctor. Paused regularly to check in with my body—and hydrate, medicate, and move as needed. Caught up with friends and family over the phone.

And most importantly, I was kind to myself.

Onward!
Grace

P.S. If your job search is moving like molasses, I’m hosting a free Blocker Bustin’ Session on February 25th to help you get unstuck. Bring whatever’s in your way—finding opportunities, networking with confidence, application materials—and I’ll help you (along with up to 10 other career changers) tackle it. RSVP here ✨