Dear Reflectors,
How have you been? I trust your weekend was filled with both relaxation and productivity.
As we step into a new week, I want to share a personal exploration into the art of trying something new.
My mother often urges me to try something new. Be it clothes, new recipes, or new skills, she believes in growth by doing something new. So, today, I decided to finally take her advice and try out a new recipe.
I’ll be honest with you- I was nervous. I kept second-guessing everything. Was I doing it right? Did I forget something? At one point, I was completely confused and thought about giving up. But then I took a deep breath, reminded myself of the steps, and slowly, things started to make sense. Bit by bit, it all came together.
The funny thing is I didn’t even love how the dish tasted! But my family? They absolutely did.
But before that moment, I’d been feeling pretty down. I thought I had messed up. I was so focused on everything that didn’t go perfectly, I almost missed the fact that I had actually done something pretty cool. I tried something new, figured it out, and made something others enjoyed.
How often do we impose these unrealistic standards on ourselves? Demanding perfection on the first try and punishing every small misstep?
We are quick to offer kind words and gentle encouragement to our friends and loved ones facing their own trials. And when the mirror reflects back at us, that same tenderness seems to vanish.
I dwelled on the thought and realized that I had set the bar too high for myself. It was the first time I tried that recipe, yet I expected perfection. Do you ever do that too, push yourself so hard that even small mistakes feel huge?
We often tell our friends to be gentle with themselves, to not be so hard when things don’t go right. But when it comes to us, we’re rarely that kind. Why is that?
So here’s a small reminder for this Monday: trying is brave. Learning is messy. And we deserve credit just for showing up and giving it a shot.
Let’s stop being our own harshest critics. Let’s be a little more patient, a little more kind to ourselves.
Wishing you a week filled with discovery and self-compassion.
This Week’s Pick
Books
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I read this one slowly, letting it sink in. Michelle Obama writes with such honesty, it felt like a conversation with a wise friend. Her journey, full of self-doubt, strength, and transformation, reminded me that we’re all constantly becoming, no matter where we start.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This book is like comfort food for the heart. I first read it years ago, but every time I return to it, I see it a little differently. Each sister's path is so unique, yet deeply relatable. It’s a gentle reminder that growing up (and growing into ourselves) is rarely a straight line.