Welcome to The Survive & Thrive Support for Summer Newsletter.
Many of us find that when it comes to parenting, it can feel like you are under constant surveillance. The supermarket onlooker giving you a judgmental look, the school professional implying you aren't doing enough, the extended family member offering unhelpful advice, they all drain our limited emotional energy.
You try so hard to navigate every crisis, and yet you are often left carrying a crushing weight of guilt, wondering if you are ever doing enough.
To survive this, it can help to master the art of protecting your peace. A simple, highly effective way to do this is to create Two Lists.
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List 1: The People. Write down the exact names of the tiny circle of people whose opinions actually matter to your life. Your kids, your partner, your absolute closest, safest friends. That is it.
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Now, if a stranger at the park gives you an icy look, or an acquaintance makes a snide comment, you check the list. If they aren't on it, their opinion literally does not matter.
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List 2: The Priorities. Write down what you actually care about being good at right now. Keeping your child safe? Protecting your own mental health? Getting through the day?
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If an expectation isn't on that list, like keeping a spotless house, cooking organic meals from scratch, or meeting a conventional parenting standard, it doesn't get your energy.
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Whenever anyone or anything makes you feel like you are failing, check your lists to make sure you actually care about their standard. If it isn't on the list, let it go.
You cannot care about everything and everyone and still have enough energy left to thrive.
This Week’s Journal Prompts
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Who makes it onto my core list?
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Take 60 seconds to write down the names of the people whose opinions you choose to value. The next time someone outside of this circle judges your family, remind yourself: They didn't make the list.
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What can I cross off my priority list this week?
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Look at your daily mental load. What are you forcing yourself to care about purely because society says you "should"? Can you look at it, decide it doesn't fit your life right now, and officially take it off your list?
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Connect with us this week:
- Join the discussion: Head over to our private Facebook group [here] to share your reflections. Come tell us how you're practicing holding your emotional boundaries this week.
- Looking for deeper support? Remember that you can also book a private 1-to-1 coaching session with us [here] to focus entirely on your own wellbeing, confidence, and needs.
Take care of yourself this week,
Katie & Kate
Co-Founders, The Survive and Thrive Collective
