For years, I never said no. Whatever task I was asked to do at work, I did it. I was available 24/7 for the youth and families I served nights, weekends, whenever they needed me. I felt exhausted all the time, but I couldn't actually feel rested even when I did stop. My body was sore constantly. I kept pushing myself forward anyway get the work done, show up again tomorrow. I barely saw my own family. And eventually my body started breaking down for real I kept getting sick, because it was so rundown from carrying all of it for so long. I didn't even realize what was happening until I left that job. And here's the part that surprised me: I went somewhere new and I was still overworking. The pattern didn't disappear just because the job did. But this time, I started setting boundaries around after-hours actual lines I didn't cross, instead of being available to everyone, always. If you run a community or a business, you already know this pattern by a different name. It's answering every DM the second it comes in, even at 10pm. It's being "on" for your members or clients around the clock because saying "I'll respond tomorrow" feels like letting someone down. It's never fully closing the laptop because there's always one more post, one more message, one more thing someone's waiting on. Same pattern. Just a different inbox. That's the real difference between tired and burned out. Tired is fixed by a weekend. Burned out doesn't go away just because you rest it goes away when you stop the pattern that got you there in the first place. Sometimes it takes leaving the situation to even see the pattern was never really about the job, or the community, or the clients. It was about never letting yourself say no. If this is you right now in your community, your business, any season the pattern will follow until you actually name it.

My new workshop is almost ready! It's been a lot of solo work moving the "shop" closer to electricity, and getting the conversion done but it's getting there. Just a wee bit more organizing and tidying and I can get back to creating and fabricating.

Not one activity all day! How do you guys cope when you have days off?! I’m so sad right now😅 It feels like I’ve neglected my baby for a while 24 hours👀 Do you guys think it’s good to have days off?!

Good morning, family! 🙌 Happy Friday! As another week comes to a close, take a moment to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness. There may have been victories to celebrate, challenges to overcome, or prayers you’re still waiting to see answered—but through it all, God has been with you. His goodness isn’t based on our circumstances; it’s rooted in His unchanging character. As you head into the weekend, don’t rush past the blessings God has already given you. Gratitude changes our perspective and reminds us that even in difficult seasons, God is still working. Choose joy today. Choose faith over fear. Choose to trust the One who has never failed you. 📖 Verse of the Day “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (NASB) ✨ Today’s Challenge ✅ Begin your day by thanking God for His faithfulness. ✅ Read a chapter from the Bible and write down one truth that encourages you. ✅ Bless someone today with an unexpected act of kindness. ✅ Reflect on the week and thank God for at least three specific blessings. 💙 Remember • God is good all the time. • His mercies are new every morning. • He is faithful yesterday, today, and forever. • He has good plans for your life. 💬 Question for the Community Looking back on this week, what is one thing God has taught you or one blessing you’re especially thankful for? Share it below so we can celebrate His faithfulness together! Have a blessed Friday! Keep trusting, keep praying, and keep believing—God is with you today and always. ❤️

I have been absent for a while because of a road trip and a health scare. The former was brill. The latter not so brill but a happy ending and all now 100%. From next week foot on the gas! Love Grow My Skool. Love my membership. Thank you fellow Skoolers. John 😎