Culturally we find ourselves, often especially in the self-help spheres, in this quagmire of optimization.  Optimize your diet, your body, your beauty, your relationships, your routines, your career, your home, your personality.  

The list is endless.  

This pursuit of optimization tricks us into believing that we are on the edge of happiness.  Of all of our hopes and dreams existing on the other side of this betterment of ourselves.  When we achieve x then y will be possible.  When we are the optimal version of ourselves, then we can be loved.  

Optimization isn’t in fact human.  It’s robotic.  It creates distance from our own inner knowing, cutting us off from the messages of our bodies and our emotions. 

It doesn’t create freedom but burnout.  And, it doesn’t allow for the reality that in our lives, there will be seasons of joy and that there will be seasons of sorrow.  That they are actually inextricably linked.  

It doesn’t allow us to be truthful about how we actually feel or about how things are actually going.  And it doesn’t allow us to connect with others with our full humanity on display.  

We actually limit our capacity when we try to so narrowly fit ourselves into such curated, pretty boxes that all look the same.  

Maybe a better aim is honesty.  

How do I honestly want to live?  What do I honestly need to feel at home in my self and body?  What do I honestly hope to contribute  during my time here on earth?  How can I honestly ask for what I need, even when it feels beyond vulnerable and daunting to do so?

These I think are better, more true questions.  

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Sending you all of my love,

Kaitlyn