Remember how I told you I broke up with a client in my last newsletter? Before I sent the polite, professional, “I want out,” email, I thought about the (not unsolicited!) dating advice I’d just given a friend. I told her creating a good boundary is about putting your needs first and not feeling responsible for anyone else’s.

Obviously, there’s no need to be an a**hole but... the other person is an adult and they will deal with their disappointment on their own. 

With that in mind, here’s what I didn’t say in the email: 
    January is really busy for me but thanks for checking in! 
    The first quarter is already jam-packed, can you believe it! 
    The current rate isn’t working for me. 

All those statements open the door for push-back. They’re an invitation for the client to come back with a plan to reconnect in February, to touch base in April, or suggest a higher rate —  and I don’t want any of that. I want out and I don't owe anyone an explanation. And if you want out of something that’s no longer serving you — whether that’s a client relationship, a dating relationship, or a friendship — chances are, you don’t owe anyone an explanation either. 

Speaking of boundaries and figuring out what’s working for me, what’s not, what I want less of and what I want more of in my business and my life… I took myself on a 24-hour mini-retreat this weekend for the express purpose of reflecting on all that. Highly recommend. Because it’s hard to think and get clarity when your kids, laundry, and dishes are on the other side of the door. 

If your priorities for 2022 include letting go of micromanaging your food, overthinking your exercise, and obsessing about your weight, I can help. Hit reply if you want to chat about what that could look like. 

Wishing you happy holidays and a joyous, healthy, vaccinated new year! 

xo, 

4 Things Worth Checking Out 

•  A really well written piece by Deanna Schwartz for Teen Vogue on how mom passing diet culture down to their daughters 

• I was astonished at how widely my latest piece on for The Washington Post on how to make friends resonated with readers. Loneliness is a huge issue and this story gives some concrete tips from experts on how to create connections as an adult… in the dead of winter… during a pandemic. (Ooof.)

• If you only have 60 seconds to spare, definitely click on this link. It’s graphic essay (not sure if that’s the right term) by Maritsa Patrinos for The Lily on how she found joy in movement after  spending many years obsessing about exercise. 

• I got to sit down with Stephanie Sprenger, co-host of the Mother+ podcast. We talked about how I transitioned from occupational therapy to freelance writing, how motherhood affected my identity, not feeling guilty for wanting external validation (and also knowing it’s an inside job), impostor syndrome, Listen To Your Mother, and so much more. You can listen here.