You Don’t Have to Feel Calm to Be Okay

Sep 11

First of all, this post marks one year since I started writing these posts. It may not seem like a big milestone in the grand scheme of things, but it feels like a meaningful one to me. Especially because, when I began, I wasn’t sure how long I’d even have things to say.

Right from the start, I told myself I’d aim to send it out weekly(ish).

It might have sounded like a lack of commitment, but that gentle framing actually helped me keep going. It eased the doubt and fear that can creep in with rigid expectations.

There were a couple of short breaks where I missed a few weeks, but overall, I’m really happy with the consistency I’ve been able to maintain. And I’m so glad I didn’t wait for things to be perfect before starting, or restarting.

In case you missed it, here’s the very first post I sent out:
🏊 Leadership Lessons from Sea Swimming

Now, for today…

It felt tempting to take a pause this week and simply celebrate the milestone. But something I read recently has stayed with me, and I wanted to share it with you.

The Myth of Always Feeling Good
We’ve been sold the idea that emotional health means feeling calm, clear, and happy most of the time.
Anything less than that feels like a flaw. A red flag. Something to work on.
But emotional health isn’t the absence of pain.
It’s the ability to be with what is. Gently. Without shame.
Some days you’ll feel grounded.
Some days you’ll spiral.
Some days you’ll feel nothing at all.
That doesn’t make you broken.
It makes you real.
— Quiet Wisdom on Substack

It resonated deeply with me, and it reminded me of a couple of past pieces I’ve written that you might also find helpful:

🌀 What To Do When You’re Feeling Down
💡 Something You Might Not Know About Resilience