The Truth About the Things You "Must Do"

A successful book is not made of what is left in it, but what is left out of it.
– Mark Twain

This is a pruning time of year.  The natural world really has her “essentialist” moment each autumn.
 
As in: deciding what is most fundamental to life - the "must dos." 

• Leaves are shed (too delicate, and so demanding of resources!) – but first they put on quite a show!

• The last fruits are dropped and seeds dispersed. No more pumping energy into these little bundles!

• Animals are gathering extra food and growing warm coats. I mean the squirrels are acting downright squirrely!

• And then of course, some animals are just plain leaving for warmer climates.

I found myself having to “prune” a bit as well – what can I really fit in to a day or a week this fall? 
 
What must be done? 
 
Oh and that word “must” – who decides what must be done?
 
How often I have found myself with a list of “must dos” impossibly long and inspiring lots of dread only to realize that I am in fact the adult in the room who gets to decide what must be done. 
 
When we take our “musts” mindlessly we find a committee in our heads of old bosses, current bosses, parents, grandparents, teachers and mentors all formed into inner judge and jury ready to tell YOU what must be done! 
 
My committee definitely has some wisdom, speaks with A LOT of authority, and also quite frankly, is really judgmental and harsh. 
 
This moment of pruning – or essentialism if you prefer – is an invitation to edit your life and curate the season ahead. 
 
And, it is also an invitation to examine who is in charge of this edit. 
 
Maybe you could even edit the editors!
 
Prune the committee in your head telling you what you “just, must do.”
 
Because after all, you are the adult in the room who gets to decide what you must do. 
 
Much love,
 
Marijke Ocean Joy

P.S. Are the musts and the shoulds so noisy you can’t tell what YOU actually want or care about? I get that and I’ve been there. Consider scheduling a free mini-session to see if coaching could help you reconnect with the wisdom you have inside.