A New Era
May 24' Reflections: Assessing & Accommodating New Mental Models for Personal Evolution & Growth + Monthly Round Up
Happy June, friends! As always, I can’t believe we are here in another month. May flew by, just as every month does.
It was a very touch-and-go month for me. My family and I spent most of the month adjusting to my husband’s new route and schedule, leaving my normal schedule and routines in disarray. With that, the kids have required more of my time, energy, and attention, and I’ve been praying through and navigating some personal and family decisions that are leading me to re-prioritize and shift my focus. As a result, I’ve been spending less time in this space, which I’ve been surprisingly okay with.
There was a time when I would push myself to the limits to “make things happen, ” staying up late and working into the night. And while there is a time and place for that, I have found much peace and respite in letting myself embrace the ebbs and flows of this season. Instead of pushing, I am resting. Instead of striving frantically, I’m striding surefooted in a long, steady, direction, giving myself the permission and freedom to go at my own pace.
For so long, I’ve put pressure on myself, binding myself to a brand, a timeline, and a self-imposed definition of success. I don’t blame myself. We all have schemas or mental models that we have created that outline how we should think, behave, and function and that are informed by our environments and experiences. But lately, I have been assessing these mental models I’ve created, searching them for the lies that expose holes in my way of thinking, doing, and being. Schemas that have deeply influenced and convinced me of how I needed to show up in my life, relationships, and social media.
The more I’ve explored them, the more I realized that I was holding onto patterns and beliefs that were no longer serving me — no longer gelling with this new season, this new era of me. The old me wanted to appear palatable — acceptable and pleasing. But this new me would rather be relatable — authentic, sharing all of me, even with the risk of rejection.
That’s how new eras unfold. As we evolve, we accommodate new versions of ourselves — versions that are updated by new environments, experiences, and even expectations. As we take in new information, we mold our mental models to align and support the evidence signaling the need for change.
For me, that change started here — by creating a place to share vulnerably and explore, and hopefully, as a byproduct, encouraging others to do the same. And it’s also extending into my social media, where I’m challenging the social norms and schemas I’ve co-constructed. I don’t want to share just a part of me but all of me. Not just the well-kept tidy spaces but the broken bits, the hope-filled hobbies, the mundane musings, and the wonderful wanderings that make up a rich and real life.
I by no means have it all figured out but, day by day, step by step, I am getting there.
Books 📚
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden. A beautiful story on heartbreak, loss, second chances, and self-discovery. If you enjoyed The Good Part by Sophie Cousens, you will enjoy this!
Nothing Is Missing: A Memoir of Living Boldly by Nicole Walters. This was so beautifully and excellently written. I’ve been following Nicole since I began my entrepreneurship journey back in 2016 and really enjoyed hearing her share her story. Her story is one of faith, resilience, and tenacity. I would highly recommend listening to this on audio. Her voice brought life to the text.
These were just some of my favorites. I read 9 books this month. For a full list of what I read, check out my Goodreads.
Podcasts 🎧
Summer reading is officially here! Many of the recs shared in this podcast episode are also on my summer reading list. If you’re looking for some good summer/beach reads, definitely check out this episode.
We all need the reminder, from time to time, that everything doesn’t rest on our shoulders. In this episode, Shelby and Krystal unpack how we can address this mindset and lie from a biblical perspective
I really enjoyed listening to the Joy Filled podcast on prioritizing whole-body health. We are whole beings and we must live in a way that reflects such.
Throughout the month, I love to post notes, reflections, or other resources that I find encouraging or helpful. Make sure you download the Substack app so you don’t miss out on new notes, chats, and threads.
Catch up on May Posts
Every week I share my weekly reflections, joys, and roundups in my weekly (Joy)Caps. You can catch up on these posts here.
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