It’s a typical Monday morning.
And here I am settling into what I call my “green zone.”
My peak productivity hours.
Highest energy in the day.
Where I aim to complete one important task.
But today feels different.
I’m tired, unfocused and perplexed.
The remains of a vibrant but late night still lingering.
This newsletter you are reading right now?
Almost didn't happen.
With a blank screen in front of me.
And an equally empty mind.
I struggle to find inspiration.
Then it struck me.
Why not share the raw, real and unfiltered reality of this moment?
Rewind to 36 hours earlier.
My family and I were soaking in the elegance of a neighboring city.
Savoring the sunshine.
As we were on our Sunday stroll.
A call from friends altered our plans.
They were passing through Leicester and proposed a spontaneous dinner.
Embracing the unpredictability of life, we agreed.
Fast forward to the evening.
Another call informed us of a change of plan due to a relative’s hospital admission.
Despite the shift, we continued with our plans.
Knowing well it would lead to a late night.
Especially for the kids.
The impact?
But that's life, right?
We adapt, We adjust, and we move forward.
Now, here I am trying to navigate through my priority task of the day.
Writing this newsletter.
The feelings of stress, pressure and confusion are noticeable
Linked with a strong sense of reluctance.
So, here's the thing.
I’ve committed to 2 newsletters a week (excluding school holidays).
And commitment means showing up.
So, I'm embracing this imperfect moment.
I’m taking the advice of Greg Mckeown, from his bestselling book Effortless:
“What if, instead of asking, ‘How can I tackle this really hard but essential project?,’
We simply inverted the question and asked, ‘What if this essential project could be made easy?’”
I’m writing through the fog of fatigue.
Because I believe in sharing valuable experiences.
It’s not about an exceptional faultless piece of writing.
But, about connecting genuinely with you.
This newsletter issue is a testament to acknowledging our feelings and pushing through.
It’s about understanding that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.
What matters is taking that step forward.
However small it may be.
As I wrap up this half-finished newsletter, I invite you to reflect on your moments of imperfection.
Let’s embrace our real, imperfect and unpolished selves together.
When did you last feel tired, unfocused or overwhelmed yet still pushed through,
I’d love to hear your story.
Reply to this email and share your story.
Here’s to a week of discovering strength in our imperfections.
Khatija
P.S. If you’re struggling to find your footing on a rough day, remember it’s okay to be a work in progress. Need some guidance on how to navigate these moments? I’m here for a chat. Book a session with me here:https://calendly.com/concisevisuals/discovery-call
Stories and Strategies to help you manage your thoughts. Be more energetic. Build stronger connections with those you care about.
It’s 3.15 pm on a Wednesday and I am in the school playground. The usual buzz of children filled the air. As I wait to pick up my kids. My 7-year-old walk towards me. Her small face clouded with sadness. As a mother, I feel an ache in my heart. I kneel to her level and ask her how she is doing. Giving her space yet staying present. Sensing the stress within her. I'm here to help her navigate through her emotions. Our walk home is quiet. Her silence, her lips pulled down, and her marching...
Last night I found myself reflecting on a recent memory that unfolded a few Saturdays ago. It was a simple experience. One that weaves into our ongoing journey of self-awareness and emotional well-being. My sister, visiting from London with her family brought along the excitement for a long-awaited cousins’ weekend. After a delightful dinner, she revealed sleek black velvet parcels from her handbag. And she presented them to my daughters. This was more than just a gift. It was a moment to be...
Throughout my years in college, university and the journey that followed, diaries, planners and journals have been my constant companions. Each year I invested in these books. Every day, I turned their crisp pages. My focus was on productivity, organization and accountability. Over time I noticed a transformation in how I used these tools. Evolving with my needs, wants and experiences. It was while leafing through Dr Rangan Chatterjees's book, “Feel Better in 5,” that I stumbled upon my third...