A Solid C 🫠

This month I don't have much to teach.  I don't have a framework to offer.  I'm actually in the middle of a phase you may be able to relate to where everything is technically fine, I'm performing at a solid C in almost every aspect of my life, which is, at once, totally imperceptible and nothing to complain about while also being pretty frustrating.  Knowing you all, I'm positive I'm not alone and that you've been here, too.

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And I've been thinking of you all.  You're possibly burnt out from summer trying to fit it all in before the weather changes and the daylight fades.  It's just a busy time of year for many of us.  We almost welcome a little cold and rain to invite us to slow down.  You're all managing a lot. In any given moment, you probably have at least 7 things on your mind, short term memory is maxed out.  Guessing you've already provided sustenance for a few needy little people or pets, hopefully for yourself too, paid a bill or 2, planned a gift for someone else, cleaned a surface, listened to someone else's sadness, and it's not even 8am…

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I had a solid C morning the other day trying to fit in a workout.  In my dreams, this morning time would look like a Lululemon ad with me in a cheerful matching tank and legging set, hair pulled back in an intentional, photo-ready, tight little bun, the stage is set, the face is serious and focused, just a dab of glowy sweat.

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The reality looked more like this: 6:15am start, I need to get in and out before my kids wake up and cascade their needs upon me, no protein-packed breakfast, vitamins, a little water, hair in a claw clip.  I gathered my husband's shorts and a lightly soiled sports bra to put under the t-shirt I'd slept in.  It was 95 degrees and humid in my garage gym where I've carved out a little space between the spider webs and everyone else's odds and ends.  No time to choose the perfect motivational music.  Just me, and my thoughts and insecurities.

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I didn't have a plan, just an intent to lift something heavy.  I grabbed some weights and started.  Was my form technical and precise?  I don't know.

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Mid plank, my son came out to tell me one of the cats had thrown up all over the floor.  Great.  "Thanks, I'll deal with that when I'm done."  He went inside but a few pushups later came back out asking if he could hit balls into the golf simulator.  Sure…  The net did not do its job.  I spent the rest of my workout dodging golf balls while trying to put together a meaningful workout on an old towel because the actual mat had been thrown away in some garage purge I wasn't consulted on.

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And through it all I was texting with a friend who was asking me to take care of her kids for the day.  She needed to meet with her doctor to learn more about a recent cancer diagnosis.   Golf balls and spider webs are small peanuts.  

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That's what a solid C is actually carrying most days.  You show up effortfully, with as much energy as you have in that moment, continuing to try and get something done while a lot of real things pull at you from all directions.  If you're operating at 70% this month, you're in good company.  Myself and countless women are with you in solidarity, humming along and waiting for hyper summer to ebb into contemplative fall where there might just be less to do, less to focus on, more time to get an A.

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I was chatting with a friend recently about how to fit movement into her day.  She casually mentioned she wants to start exercising over her work lunch hour.  She just threw it out there, nonchalantly, as though it's the easiest thing in the world.  She might be more put together than me, but I thought she totally undersold it.  That's an extra bag to pack, clothes to change, a brain to unhook from work, code switch, and then reattach to work an hour later.  She can do it, but it's a whole new system to adapt to.  I don't want her walking into that expecting it to feel easy, realizing there's actually a lot of moving parts, and ending up feeling like something has failed if it's not repeatable.

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Women are so amazing.  I can't even believe it sometimes, I'm so impressed with you all.  Even that woman modeling in the Lulu outfit.  What's it like to get all dolled up and pretend to workout?  I've never done that.  Maybe she’s having a solid C day, too.  Either way, she’d probably be a pretty cool hang. 🫡