3 Ways You are Holding Yourself In Your Misery
Dawn Taylor • February 28, 2025
Ok... I know this is a statement that may make you mad, but stay with me.
You are most likely holding yourself in your misery. You may not even realize it! How do you recognize it? How are you participating in it?
Recognizing it can often come just from stepping back and asking yourself “what is my part of this story” “how am I participating in this?” “how is this problem serving me in some way” Be honest with yourself. If we weren’t doing any of the above? We would have a way easier time making the changes we want to…
- Not stopping. Not stopping the bad habit, not admitting the bad habit in the first place, not being willing to feel discomfort. I LOVE gluten. Gluten made me feel like death. Like I was drinking Nyquil all day every day. Was it hard to stop eating it? Yes. I am not saying it was easy. But how amazing I felt without it? Made it worth while. What do you KNOW you need to stop doing. If you really wanted it? Would you make the change? Be honest with yourself…
- Choosing to say yes. You only have so much capacity. Do you know what that is? Do you know your level? Most people don’t. I challenge you to figure it out. You CAN say no. I promise you can!!! You don’t have to say yes. You also don’t have to make excuses for why you just can’t. I often say “I just can’t human today”. Take a moment and ask yourself what makes you have to say yes. What are you afraid of? EVERYONE and I mean everyone is overwhelmed and busy these days. The greatest gift you can give yourself and others often is to say no. How much energy do you have? Do you actually have the time to do what you have said yes to? If the thought of saying no scares you, what about it scares you? If it is because someone will be mad or not like you? Ask yourself, if that the type of person you want in your life? Did they like you in the first place?
- Refusal to change. If we want it that bad? We do it. Have you ever REALLY wanted the trip, the job, the pair of jeans and somehow figured it out? Me too. Yet when it comes time to make a change that could be amazing for us we struggle. I hate to say it, and yes I am saying this to me too, but in this situation? We know we can make the change if we want it bad enough but we are choosing not to. We have not put enough importance on it or prioritized it enough. A few weeks ago my trainer almost made an excuse for me as to why I was not doing all my workouts in a week and I laughed. “Nope! I said. I was just lazy and didn’t want to” I think I shocked her with my honesty.
You CAN change.
You CAN do the hard thing
You CAN heal from the hurt and misery.
I promise.
One step at a time.
“What if they don’t like the new me?"
Love is powerful, but it doesn’t work the same way for everyone. At its core, love tends to show up in three main ways: 1. Like Water There is always enough. You don’t run out. You can pour it into as many cups as you want or keep it all to yourself—but you control the flow. Some people get a full glass, some get a sip, and some don’t get any at all. But the source? Endless. 2. Limited Supply Think of love like pieces of paper. You only have a few. If you’ve given them all away and someone new comes into your life needing one, you can’t create more—you have to take from someone else. This kind of love feels scarce. It can create jealousy, competition, or the belief that if you love them, you can’t also love me. 3. Transactional This is love as a trade. A transaction. “I love you if…” or “If you don’t, I’ll take my love away.” Many of us grew up in this kind of love—where love had to be earned. Good grades? Love. Messed up? Love withdrawn. Hello to my fellow ‘80s and earlier babies—I see you.
Oh planning… let’s go.
“Mawwiage is what bwings us together today. Mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wuv, true wuv, will follow you forever, so tweasure your wuv”. - Princess Bride
Ah, winter! That magical time when hot chocolate is more than a drink; it’s a survival tool.
Life and business are much like the changing seasons—each one brings its own mix of joys, challenges, and downright messiness. From the fresh energy of spring to the cold grip of winter, every season has its good and ugly sides. Understanding and adapting to these shifts can help us navigate the transitions with grace, humour, and resilience. Spring: The Season of Renewal (and Overwhelm) Spring is the season of new beginnings. In life, it might bring a burst of creativity, fresh starts, or new relationships. In business, it could mean launching a new product, expanding your team, or entering a new market. Everything feels possible, and the energy is contagious. With so much new growth, spring can also be overwhelming. There’s a risk of taking on too much, spreading yourself too thin, or getting lost in the excitement of too many ideas. Ways to manage: Channel the energy of spring by setting clear, achievable goals. Use tools like Trello or Asana to organize your ideas and keep track of your progress. Remember, not every seed needs to be planted at once—prioritize the projects that align with your long-term vision. Summer: The Season of Abundance (and Burnout) Summer is a time of abundance and activity. In life, it’s the season for vacations, socializing, and making the most of long days. In business, summer often means high productivity, increased sales, or a busy schedule filled with opportunities. However, the heat of summer can also lead to burnout. The constant hustle, combined with the pressure to keep up with everything, can leave you exhausted and running on empty. Summer strategies: Avoid burnout by setting boundaries and taking regular breaks. Incorporate tools like time blocking to manage your time effectively, and use apps like Calm or Headspace to keep your mind centred. Remember that it’s okay to slow down and recharge, even in the midst of abundance. Autumn: The Season of Harvest (and Letting Go) Autumn is a time for harvesting the fruits of your labour. In life, this might mean reaping the rewards of hard work, enjoying stability, or seeing long-term projects come to fruition. In business, autumn can be a time for reflection, refining strategies, and capitalizing on what’s been working. With harvest comes the need to let go. Autumn is also a season of shedding—whether it’s letting go of failed projects, outdated strategies, or relationships that no longer serve you. It can be a bittersweet time, marked by the recognition that not everything will make it through to the next cycle. Dealing with challenges: Embrace the process of letting go by conducting a personal or business audit. Use tools like SWOT analysis to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Focus on what truly matters and be willing to prune away the rest. This will create space for new growth when spring rolls around again. Winter: The Season of Rest (and Challenges) Winter is a season of rest and reflection. In life, it’s a time to slow down, enjoy the quiet, and recharge for the year ahead. In business, winter can be an opportunity to review the past year, plan for the future, and focus on internal growth and development. However, winter can also be a time of struggle. The cold, dark days can bring about feelings of isolation, stagnation, and even depression. In business, winter might represent a slowdown in sales, cash flow challenges, or difficult decisions that need to be made. Finding ways to thrive: Winter is about survival and preparation for the next cycle. Focus on maintaining resilience and finding small victories to celebrate. Use financial planning tools like QuickBooks or Mint to keep your finances in check and ensure you’re prepared for the challenges ahead. Strengthen your relationships and lean on your support system during this time. Coping with the Seasons: A Survival Guide Stay Flexible: Just as you wouldn’t wear summer clothes in winter, don’t cling to strategies that aren’t suited for the current season. Adapt and evolve with the times. Build a Support System: Whether it’s friends, family, or a coach, having a strong support system can make the tough times bearable and the good times even better. Plan Ahead: While you can’t predict every change, having a plan in place for different scenarios can reduce stress and help you navigate transitions more smoothly. Embrace Change: Change is the only constant. The more you resist it, the harder it becomes. Instead, learn to see each season as an opportunity for growth, even when it’s challenging. Find Humor: Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. Humour is a powerful tool for coping with stress and maintaining perspective. The changing seasons of life and business bring a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly. But with the right mindset and tools, you can not only survive but thrive through each transition. So, when the seasons start to shift, embrace the change, adapt your approach, and look forward to the new opportunities that lie ahead. Written by, Jenny Ryce, member of The Taylor Way Team
