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"Progress over perfection." You’d be surprised how many times I say this! 🤨

I heard this quote for the first time many years ago when I was at a very low point in life and it made so much sense. I had so much pressure on my back from my family, especially my mother to be this perfect woman. For those who know me personally, you know that I'm a fly by the seat of my pants, free spirited and carefree bundle of hot mess... but that is my version of perfection. It doesn't have to be pretty, it doesn't even have to happen now, it just needs to work for you. Finding your purpose and walking it in takes time. So focus on the journey.

I have had many self and business iterations in life. I have been a CNA, an out of school program director, a digital designer, a personal aide, a business consultant because I never could quite get it right. One day I found the cheat code and got it right and started taking those baby steps in order to walk in my purpose despite everyone's opinions of me, societal pressures, etc...

So, when my clients tell me how they feel left behind or feel like they are in their friends or family members shadows or how their career may not be moving fast enough, etc... I remind them that life is a marathon not a sprint and they need to focus on the journey... The progress over the need for perfection. I get humbled when months after working together they meet a major milestone and celebrate the journey even though they find themselves at their destination. So... Progress. Over. Perfection. Just take baby steps. You'll get there, and when you do.... it will be GLORIOUS.

Where are you on your journey?

👀Time for a checkup! Are you ready? 👇

You may go to the doctor to get regular checkups of your body, but what about your mind?

Let’s definitely normalize regular mental-health check ins.
Here are three benefits of conducting regular mental-health check ins.

✔️ The notion of a regular mental health checkup is less established, perhaps because of the historical stigma about mental illness. But taking periodic stock of your emotional well-being can help identify warning signs of common ailments like depression or anxiety.

✔️ Education: A checkup also teaches you about your needs, so you have a better understanding of what’s normal for your particular circumstances. For example, people in their 20s might worry about meeting a partner or paying off student loans, while people in their 50s might be dealing with an empty nest and caring for aging parents. The more you know about what’s normal for your life stage and situation, the better prepared you are to deal with challenges.

✔️ Monitoring: At different ages, our risk for certain conditions changes. Regular check-ins with a mental health professional help you be aware of transformations over time. For example, conditions like schizophrenia often present in the early 20s. Additionally, although we all experience some cognitive decline with age, some symptoms suggest problems such as dementia that need further evaluation. Those who have established mental health diagnoses also may need to be assessed for flare-ups. Just like chronic medical conditions such as arthritis or asthma, it’s helpful to check on mental health symptoms to make sure you’re doing ok.

Remember: It's okay to get help!
Don’t let [time/family/beliefs/myths, etc] stop you from seeking support.

💛Drop your favorite emoji in the comments if you consistently conduct regular mental health check ins.💛