You have reason to celebrate

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Celebration is on my mind. 🎉

As much as it elicits pleasant emotions of joy, pride and excitement, recent conversations have been more about anxiety, confusion, disappointment and disconnection.

The core theme seems similar whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or reaching a business milestone (100 clients, 100 products delivered, $100K in revenue…).

The tension stems from (1) what I’m supposed to celebrate, (2) what celebrations are supposed to look like, or (3) where I was supposed to be.

See a pattern here?

The weight we put on our Selves is equivalent to the distance between what is and what is supposed to be.

And here’s the catch: what is simply is.

But what is supposed to be is a mismatch of expectations, cultural norms, what others may think/say/do, and in the end has little to do with our actual Selves.

I will definitely not pretend I don’t succumb to that mismatch. Tomorrow is my 35th birthday.

Last year, I decided I would have a big party with all my friends, and celebrate how great my life (business, wellbeing, relationships) was.

Now fast forward and truth is – I'm not where I thought I’d be, and I don’t feel in the celebration mood.

Or do I?

Here’s where I need to go back to basics:

1. What does celebration mean for ME?

2. What would I like to celebrate in this milestone?

3. What would I like to let go of/accept/forgive?

4. How would I like to celebrate?

The caveat with all this is there are no right answers (seriously!).

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