Hi there!
Before I get into this week's topic, I have to tell you about an AMAZING concert my husband and I went to on Saturday in Downtown LA. The artist, Sly5thAve, is an incredibly talented jazz musician and composer, and he did a free show featuring the music of Dr. Dre.
I'm a big West Coast hip-hop fan, and the way he layered Dre's beats and melodies with his own compositions was incredible.
👇🏼 Check out the track below, even if you're not into hip hop (it's instrumental).
In addition to the music, it was also inspiring and comforting to see people of all backgrounds and ages gathered in DTLA to enjoy art and community.
It was a much-needed salve to the fear and stress many Angelenos have been feeling with daily I.C.E. raids in our city, and false narratives in the media about what's actually happening here on the ground.
I was reminded how art can be so healing, and that we really need to make time for it in our lives.
So, re the topic of making space and time for things of value...
Today's blog is about the 3-step process I use to make values-aligned decisions, even when it’s hard to say no, especially if you're prone to people pleasing and over-extending yourself.
Here's a quick summary if you only have a few minutes to spare right now:
🛑 Step 1: Pause
Give yourself at least 24 hours before responding to any request that goes beyond your current commitments, so you can respond intentionally instead of reactively.
💡Step 2: Clarify your values
Identify which values you’d be honoring by saying yes—and which ones you might be deprioritizing—so your decision reflects what matters most to you.
⚖️ Step 3: Assess your bandwidth
Even if something aligns with your values, check whether you have the energy and capacity right now to follow through without burning out or building resentment.
📺 YouTube version below!
Have a great week!
