I’m really good at my job. Last night’s session brought that to mind. It was one of those late-night ones, the kind where I really should’ve been brushing my teeth and curling up in bed with the last 10% of my book.
Usually, I’m soft-spoken — I listen, empathize, validate. But sometimes that’s not what’s needed. Last night wasn’t one of those times. I raised my voice. Interrupted as they interrupted me. Cut through the defensiveness and the circular talking—the very patterns that keep them stuck.
What they wanted was to be understood. But first, they needed to understand themselves. Together, we made a plan — a spit-on-our-hands kind of agreement — to take one action every day this week. They worried about failing. I told them that wasn’t the point. The point is movement, any movement, toward breaking a stuck pattern.
Meanwhile, I ate too many cinnamon rolls and fear I’m slowly turning into one. The frosting situation? Double the recipe. I blame Dave. I had to run down the hall to meet a client mid-frosting, and in my rush, I forgot to tell him we needed half the cream cheese–powdered sugar–vanilla mix. Maybe, subconsciously, I wanted the extra sweetness.
In other news, I talked to Reid and Paul — two of my good buddies — about starting up a podcast again. To my surprise, they both said yes. And it is a big ask: the time, the commitment, the risk of old tensions resurfacing (our last go-around during Covid felt like a traveling band on the verge of breaking up). Still, there’s an exciting conversation to be had — a mini think tank to see if we’re ready to go bigger and better this time.
I didn’t get a run in today. Bummer… but also, not bummer. If I hit three or four runs a week, steadily increasing speed and distance, that’s enough. There’s a race I ran this time last year I’d love to do again — and maybe some new ones too. I love the free t-shirt, the camaraderie, and the people. Maybe it’s time to find a training plan and get after it.
For now, though? Couch time. A little Love Is Blind, and maybe — finally — the last chapters of Jimmy Carter’s memoir. I’ll chat with you tomorrow. Take care.
Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 