You're closer than you believe
Hey there,
Welcome to all the new subscribers from Girls Night In! I loved sharing a few of my in the GNI Newsletter today — outdoor activities, sneaker cleaning, tiny face hugs, "thank u, next", and women-centric newsletters are a few of my favorite things.
This week, a simple reminder to keep in mind: you never know how close you are until it happens. Even if your growth doesn't feel linear, it is yours and it's the only possible way that you could have gotten through everything you already have. It's the only thing that brought you to where you are today.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 29 became the youngest woman ever elected to the US Congress, gave us this encouragement and inspiration with one simple tweet reply:
This tweet is fun and motivational. Also, I can't tell you how often I hear other women compare their accomplishments with other women based on age.
I can't believe she and I were the same grade and she has that thing. I'm 10 years older than she is and she's winning/having babies/raising money/getting recognition. She did this/that/the other before she was 30? I'm so behind. I'm so behind. I'm so behind.
You're not behind. You can be impressed, and in awe, and envious. But you are not behind. You can work toward goals, experiment with ideas, and have a vision for your future. But you are not behind.
Let's get this out of the way — you're not getting any younger. Neither am I. In fact, none of us are Benjamin Button-ing through this existence. You, like the rest of us, are figuring it out.
To quote Steve Jobs, "you cannot connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." So when your path feels confusing or your growth non-linear, welcome to the main event of life.
Your only true responsibility to yourself is to be truthful about what matters the most and move toward it with your time, energy, and attention. Keep figuring out what you care about and allow it to change as you change.
Breakthroughs happen slowly and then all at once.
Try to protect your heart and mind by saying no to comparisons, especially those centered in age. We have enough pressures from society to figure it out, and "have it all" with our families and careers and relationships (conversations for another newsletter), that continually using other women's timelines as our benchmarks is self-destruction.
Cheer these women on. Support them. Learn from them and listen to their stories. At 29, I wasn't ready to be where I am now. I love and admire that women like AOC are ready for what the world is asking of them when it's being asked. We all need that.
A few more things I love this week:
Women being open about their fertility. I cannot wait to read Michelle Obama's memoir (out Tuesday) and am thankful that she opened up about conceiving through IVF. Also Gabrielle Union welcomed her first baby via surrogate!
"For me what’s important is to value the hands that go into your food. All of them." - AOC again ✨
All the women and LGBT candidates who made history this week. I cannot wait to see them all get into office.
Brandee Younger the #harpista on Makaya McCraven's new album. Start with "Mantra".
Waffle shirts for fall. Love this one from Mate...and also got introduced to this one (way less $$) from Uniqlo.
Take care of yourself, okay?
xo,
Molly