The weekly perspective
One question to ask yourself
How much time am I spending in my stretch zone?
I learned about the concept of a stretch zone from Anna - she is a queen of managing stress-rest cycles. The stretch zone is the area just outside of your comfort zone, where you can learn new skills and take on new challenges. It's a place where you can grow and develop, without feeling overwhelmed, but for sure will feel nervous, anxious and apprehensive. We need time in that zone to progress, to develop in those areas we wish to develop.
Journal and reflect on it this week - how much time are you spending in your stretch zone vs. your comfort zone?
Something to consider
You're taking life advice from someone who could never understand your life
I've been thinking a lot recently about the abundance of life hack, bio hack, productivity hack advice in our space right now. Since becoming a parent, I've really questioned myself on taking so much of this type of advice from men in the past. This isn't shade on men (I love men with big brains and big hearts and great advice), but more so, I now recognise that even most men with kids will never, truly understand the load of being a woman, let alone a woman with kids. Think of the biggest podcasts / people / books you ingest - how many of them are telling stories from a place similar to you? And how many of them are so far removed, that you feel you're so far removed and failing from the advice they give? That's because it's not for you - it's for hyper privileged people. Just like themselves. It's designed to make you feel bad, not better.
One thing I'd tell my younger self.
Master your body. Disrupt their agenda
I read this in Liz Plank's substack article recently, they're not my words. We live in a world that capitalises on our bodies, on making them 'better'. This constant focus on our bodies detracts us from taking over the world (that's our goal, no...?). It steals our energy. One of the best things you can do for your self-worth (in my opinion at least) is to reclaim your body, relearn her. understand and connect with her and say a big f*ck you to a society that continues to try to control you through it.
One thing to try this week
Find the dose of self-discipline that works for you
Look at this productivity advice I got from a man contradicting myself all in one email. Again. I love men and I think they offer great insight. I am selective in what I digest. Oliver Burkeman almost always makes sense to me. I spend a lot of time supporting business owners I mentor in finding the 'right' level of work for them, identifying the 'right' amount of time to spend on specific tasks. There is no 'right' when it comes to self-discipline. Harder is not always better (we know this by now). Instead, try this week to identify your own level of self-discipline, your own level of scheduling, that feels more fiercely compassionate and kind. That allows productivity and rest in a balanced cycle that aligns with your values.
A few things to tell you...
On the EIQ pod this week we covered intermittent dieting and menstrual cycle training and the truth about supplements - listen here
What's the deal with extreme hunger after dieting and in HA recovery? Listen to my solo episode on the ETPHD podcast out today on all platforms (search for ETPHD in your podcasts, episode number 357)
FREE PCOS FAT LOSS GUIDE - have PCOS & want to lose fat? Get this free guide
One more thing...
Please share your favourite stuff.
Thank you all for continuing to share your favourite Monday email quotes. I see them all. I know how much I love seeing impactful quotes from strangers, so it means a lot that you allow me to hopefully be that person for someone else. If there's something you really relate to or know someone who'd benefit from something in this email, please share it and pay it forward. Words are magical, and if I've learned anything from writing these emails to you for years, you never know when someone needs to hear the exact thing you've got to say.
