It's Okay to Not Be Okay

I’m a planner. I’m always thinking ahead.

What do we have going on this afternoon, tomorrow, three days from now, next weekend, next month? There are so many moving parts, but I’m a planner and I’m ready.

But today…Today it’s impossible to plan ahead. As we live in a time of uncertainty, it’s hard to know what tomorrow will bring. It feels like thinking ahead to next week is overwhelming and likely will bring disappointment.

I’ve had to cancel multiple trips including spring break with the kids to LA, presenting at a conference in San Antonio, and the hardest of all…my 40th birthday trip to Hawaii.

Yesterday I woke up feeling sad. Everything I have been looking forward to most likely will not happen any time soon. And you know what I’ve decided?

It’s okay to not be okay.

Some people are taking full advantage of the time at home to catch up on a project they have been putting off, try a new recipe, or do yoga every day. I think that’s great. I’ve enjoyed more time with my family and being forced to slow down a bit isn’t the worst thing.

I’m giving you permission to be kinder to yourself. Allow yourself to feel sad or disappointed or angry. The days that you feel energized, I encourage you to take advantage. But if you wake up in the morning and don’t want to work on that project, you don’t have to. If yoga isn’t your thing, now may not be the time to become a yogi. At the same time, if you want to try yoga, go for it. No pressure either way! Listen to your body and do what feels good today. Then decide again tomorrow.

On days I’m not okay, I will ask for help. If you need my help, just ask. Let’s work together during this time of uncertainty.

The days will get better. Things will go back to “normal”. In the meantime, let’s slow down, take care of ourselves in whatever way you need right now, and send a little more love to each other.