Growth, the power of less & focus.

hi :)

I’ve been hesitant to write. I’m deep in a season of change, growth and uncertainty that has really challenged me. Sounds like I’m not alone, though, so whoever’s out there in the same boat - I FEEL U !!! 💖

Whenever I find myself thrown off kilter I eliminate as much noise as I can so I can try to be focusing on what is the most essential and important, a tactic I’ve always leaned on but learned more about via the book, The Power of Less by Leo Babauta (highly recommend – it is a wonderful deep dive into simplicity and all the ways you can audit your life to ensure you’re focused on the things you want to be). I’ve grown to learn that this is beautiful tactic is something that serves me AND is also a defense mechanism – ah the good old blessing and curse moment 🙃. I can confidently decline social invitations if my energy is low, delete and keep off of social media, stick to routines that serve, etc – these actions serve me. However, it also looks like not responding to messages in a timely way or reaching out to friends – being more of a hermit, if you will. Which isn’t ideal, considering one of my core values in life is community and showing love and appreciate to those in my life is super important.

I have this image on my fall vision board that says, “it’s okay to disappear until you’re yourself again” and that’s what 2023 has felt like in a nutshell. In that time, though, I’ve experienced a lot of beautiful newness, growth, happiness via new and deeper friendships, new lifechanging love, learnings, travels… Ah, yet again the reminder that it can ALL be true – things can feel hard and uncertain while there is deep joy and beauty around.

It reminds me of those Instagram reels that are like, “focus on nothing but yourself for 6 months…go ghost…sleep 9 hours a night…eat only whole foods…run a marathon…fly to the moon…and your life will change”. Like, as goofy and trendy as those usually silly reels are, sometimes the theme of “focus on less” holds true, at least in my most recent experience (how “recent” of an experience is the entire year? Lol. Can I even say that?? Whatever.)

So that’s the theme of today, this season, this article - focus on less, don’t be spread in 400 difference directions.

💡It also makes a killer journal prompt, “what is essential? How can you minimize the rest?”💡

With that, a few things I have loved over the past few months that have helped my zero in on my essential and feel very alive.

• Drinking almost my body weight in ounces of water. Fuck, you can really tell a goddamn difference when you are properly hydrated versus not. This is my favorite bottle to drink out of to track ounces (link).

• Eating way more protein. Ideally this comes largely from whole sources like fresh meats, etc, but supplementing that goodness with protein powder has worked great for me. My trainer, Jerry, suggested an easy way to increase my protein was to add another serving size of protein into the shakes I was already drinking. It has helped with overall satiation through the day and also overall confidence because I feel better and feel proud that I’m taking good care of myself (now the espresso martinis also consumed on the other hand are a different story 😉). I need to eat plant based protein powder and my favorite brand is Om (link), I love the chocolate and vanilla flavors.

• A zero based budget. I’m on a mission to take full control over my money, so I’ve purchased this template to get super granular (link). I’m still learning how to use it and am already creating new habits that serve me…I love it.

• Row class @ Row Republic (link). This class is a strength and cardio mix where in 60 minutes you’ll do a few circuits alternating weight lifting and cardio via the row machine. The class is super inclusive – it is low impact and adjustable depending on your fitness level which I love because this makes the audience very diverse in skill level, age, fitness interest, etc. This class kicks my ASS and I’m fucking obsessed- it’s SO great for building fitness. It’s super fun to go with a friend, so if you’re interested in trying it, I’m happy to get you a free class 😊 come with me!!!!

Cheers till next time babes.

Jess