Perfectionism isn’t about “high standards.” It’s about avoiding mistakes so you don’t risk judgment. The cost? - Avoiding new opportunities - Overworking small tasks - Losing joy in creating When you choose imperfect action, you’re choosing nervous system growth. You’re teaching your body: “It’s safe to be seen as I am.” Your action today: Do one thing “badly on purpose” — a rough draft, a messy note, a casual selfie. Post in the comments how it felt. Inside CORE, we’re running the Messy Action Challenge to dismantle perfectionism at the body level.

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” — Sir Francis Bacon We think hard times are interruptions. But sometimes, they’re the backdrop that makes the next version of us possible. --- Your action today: If you’re in a hard season, ask: “What quality might this be growing in me that couldn’t grow any other way?” Post your answer in the comments — even if it’s just a guess.

My mother was severely overweight—technically obese—almost certainly due to unprocessed trauma. When I was little, my father would tell me, "If Mum doesn't lose weight, she's going to die." Both he and my grandmother insisted it was our collective responsibility—mine included—to force her to lose weight. At nine years old, I was making her go on runs with me, signing her up for fitness classes, and becoming obsessively controlling about food. Strangely, I never developed a traditional eating disorder, and I've never connected my eating patterns to my anxiety. But reflecting on this now, I realise I've never allowed myself to eat chips, ice cream, or anything "unhealthy" unless it was planned in advance—a birthday or special occasion—and even then, I'd feel terrible afterwards. This rigid control over food was actually my first attempt at managing anxiety, the earliest manifestation of what would become health anxiety. I don't know what it means to be spontaneous or give in to simple joy. There's this deep fear that any hedonism would spiral endlessly—that if I even dipped my toe into a carefree, happy-go-lucky approach to life or took the smallest risk, I'd be pulled into complete self-destruction. This fear of "complete self-annihilation" really captures how thoroughly I learned that letting go of control equals danger. It makes complete sense that a child who was told their parent's life depended on their vigilance would grow up feeling like relaxing that vigilance—even around something as simple as eating ice cream—could have catastrophic consequences. Logically, I know this isn't true, but the fear feels very real. This weirdly connects to something else I've been thinking about: a counselor's analysis of The Breakfast Club on YouTube that stuck with me. The Bender character—problematic as he is from a modern perspective regarding consent—was interpreted as representing healthy rebellion. His influence was ultimately positive because the other characters needed to integrate that rebellious energy into themselves.

🌙 NIGHT REVIEW PROMPT Invite the day to exhale. 1. What did I learn about my own capacity this week? 2. Where did I choose connection over being right? 3. What feels more possible now than it did Monday? 🌬️ RELEASE RITUAL: Step outside or open a window. Take 3 deep breaths of fresh air. Let each exhale remind you — you are part of something larger than today’s chaos. Then rest. You’re already doing the work.