Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 52 seconds
You’re not a machine.
You weren’t built for constant output.
Give yourself grace when you're not feeling your best.
Let’s look at one of my favourite visuals about this topic:
This visual has been seen, liked and shared thousands of times across social media.
What does that tell us?
That this visual is relatable.
You are not alone if you don’t feel 100% everyday!
Let’s check out a saying that builds upon today’s wisdom:
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees… is by no means a waste of time.
We often see rest as weakness or laziness.
But in reality, it’s wisdom.
Pausing doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re refuelling.
We live in a culture that idolises high performance; the idea that we must always be ‘crushing it’.
But let’s be honest: no one can operate at 100% every day.
And trying to is a one-way ticket to burnout.
True maturity isn’t found in perfection, but in self-awareness and compassion.
It’s knowing when to push, and when to pause.
Here are 3 reminders for the days when you don’t feel 100%:
Energy is cyclical, not constant.
Like seasons or tides, our capacity fluctuates, so let go of the guilt.
You’re not falling behind. You’re just in a lower gear today.
Some days, showing up is the win.
You don’t always need to exceed.
Just being present, trying, or doing one small thing can be a powerful act of perseverance.
Grace fuels consistency.
Beating yourself up rarely helps.
Self-compassion keeps you moving forward far more than shame ever will.
Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:
What unrealistic expectations have I placed on myself lately?
When I feel low-energy, how do I usually respond and how do I want to respond?
How can I give myself grace this week without completely switching off?
Today’s resource bolsters todays wisdom by speaking about the power of Rest, courtesy of Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.
This eye-opening book flips the script on rest. It shows that deep rest isn’t the enemy of great work - it’s the foundation.
Drawing on neuroscience and stories of high performers, Pang makes the case that we get more done by doing less.
It’s a must-read for anyone battling burnout.
⭐️ Rate This Week's Newsletter!
If you have any feedback on the WISER Newsletter, I would love to hear it! Simply reply to this email, and I will get back to you. Alternatively, just DM me on social media.
Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael