LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS

In last week’s newsletter, I asked you to pick one thing you said you would do and hadn't, and go do it.

Caitlin finally got started:

“I've been stuck trying to plan some social media posts to get my graphic design business off the ground (where it lays covered in dust). I accepted that it can't be perfect off the bat, and to just get stuck into it. Well, I'm happy to report I have a really rough draft. Thanks for the motivation to get it done! A weight has lifted off my chest.”

While Jen took a step back:

“In regards to this week's prompt: I decided to take a week off from playing a popular online trading card game I recognized I had become addicted to after telling myself I’d take a week’s break for months, now.

I had been playing the game for a little over a year. My choice to take a step back was right. The time away showed me the game is nothing but a digital opioid. I realized the game was fake, stealing my time, money, and didn’t really provide worthwhile entertainment. I also recognized with this time off that a relationship with another individual that developed through the same game was abusing (to put it lightly) and controlling my time and energy.

I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer at the beginning of the year and turned to the game and the wrong person for comfort. Had I not read your email and taken the week off from this game, I’d still be in a toxic relationship wasting my time on a fake game. My eyes are opened to the real world around me, and I am ready for my upcoming cancer surgery. Thank you, Mark.”

Finally, Jill is showing up for herself:

“The one place in my life where I am not reliable is with myself. My friends know they can count on me to be there for them, but I find that I can’t count on me all of the time.

I can’t trust myself not to eat all the cookies in one sitting rather than saving some for Future Me. I can’t rely on myself to plant my new tomatoes in a timely manner. And I let myself down with scheduling workouts. I’m just not showing up for me.

So the one thing I am going to do this week is to be reliable to myself. How? I’ve already scheduled my workouts in the calendar, and tonight after work, I will plant those tomatoes. And then reflect more on ways I can be a reliable friend to myself.”

As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

Until next week,

Mark Manson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
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