DO YOUR BEST

Life can feel like a lot sometimes. Your mind gets to thinking, and before you know it it's running 100 miles per minute. Thoughts from the past, present, and future can make your mind feel like it's spinning out of control. But, don't fret! One of the best ways to welcome ease back into your life is to simply do your best.

I know it's easier said than done, but if you do your best you've fulfilled your end of the deal. You can't control others around you, their thoughts and actions, but you can control your own. So work hard at what you want to accomplish, and do your best, whatever that may look like.

Think of doing your best as a fluctuating scale. Typically, when you hear the words 'do your best' you automatically jump to the idea of giving 100%, or even 110%. But there are factors we need to consider, factors we can, and cannot control, such as being sick, tired, frustrated, sad, or mad - the physical and emotional aspects that tend to stress us out. We need to recognize that each day is different, some days our best will be giving 100%, other days our best will be giving 80%, 75%, or lower.

It's important to remember that not only internal, but external factors can impact what our best looks like. But, don't forget to call bullshit on yourself. It's easy to shift blame onto others to get ourselves off the hook. Be honest, are you truly doing the best that you can given your unique circumstances? Or are you trying to justify your lack of effort by pointing fingers at X, Y, and Z? It's a fine line between the two, but if you ask yourself, you'll know the answer (whether you want to admit it or not).

The point is, be gentle with yourself. Yes push yourself, yes strive to do your best, but also realize that your best fluctuates day to day, and accept that. Whatever your best is, own it.