Everything was quiet.

No emails. No phone calls. No distractingly gorgeous fall Colorado weather.

(Even the snack raccoons in my head seemed to be sleeping and not haggling me to wander into the kitchen.)

Just darkness. And silence.

So I worked.

Until 10pm…11pm… (I'll let you guess how late.)

For multiple nights in a row.

Probably not my best habit since I still try to get up in the 7 o’clock hour. But when the clients pile up and deadlines converge, it just seems to happen.

Is it always easy? No. But I’m oddly ok with it.

I feel SO dang lucky to be working with a slew of kick ass clients right now, so it’s hard to be mad about it.

(Eleven Experience, Natural Habitat Adventures, Team Evergreen Cycling, The Living & Dying Consciously Project, RepYourWater, Fresh Thymes Eatery, Shannon McKinstrie… a few of my current and awesome graphic design clients.)

Plus: deadlines = end in sight.

But when I say “I’m so busy!” or someone else says I am – it makes me cringe.

The word feels negative to me. And makes me feel like I’m contributing to this “hustle culture” (gag) or “rat race” (awful visual).

So I’ve started saying something super random and cheesy, but I’m into it:

“I’m packed full of goodness.”

All these clients, all these dreams I’m working on, all the events with loved ones and friends – it’s all good stuff. (Thankfully!)

And you know what, Reader?

That reframe made the late nights feel more rewarding – and less stressful.

Our subconscious and bodies are always listening to how we talk to ourselves. So I’m trying to pump in the goodness, not the stress.

TRYING being the optimal word. It’s an ongoing practice and journey, right?

And let’s face it – one day it may not all be good. So enjoy when it’s packed full of goodness… and not sh*t.

Maura

Ps – Yes, this is also why I’m emailing you over the weekend, not on a Friday. Just too much goodness this week! Wow, I’m corny. Who cares.

Hope your weekend was filled to the brim or at least topped with good stuff too, Reader!

And if all your stuff is tough right now I SEE YOU. And I'm sending you so much love.

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