Grace, Guilt & the Glorious Mess of Being Human

You ever have one of those days where you're crying in the car while also low-key wondering if you have time to grab a chocolate bar before you get home… and also mentally composing a text to your friend that says “I’m fine” while clearly not being fine? Welcome to the human experience, friend. You’re not broken—you’re just alive, and sometimes life feels like a circus where you’re the ringmaster, the clown, and the person cleaning up after the elephants – and afraid of those damn monkeys! And guess what? That’s okay.

Here’s the real kicker: two things can be true at the same time. You can love your family and still want to hide in the pantry for five minutes of silence. You can feel deeply grateful and still be wildly overwhelmed. You can forgive others and still feel hurt. These aren't contradictions—they're proof you’re doing the emotional heavy lifting of living a full, meaningful life. The book by Dr. Caroline Leaf, "How to Manage Your Mental Mess", reminds us that what we think about affects our brain health. Translation? Be kind to your mind—it’s listening.

So here’s your permission slip: Be gentle with yourself. Let the laundry pile. Say no to the invite. Let yourself feel sad and hopeful. You’re allowed to be a masterpiece and a work-in-progress all at once (and honestly, that’s the best kind of art anyway). Grace isn’t earned—it’s given. So go ahead and give some to the most important person in your life: you. 

This week, instead of pushing through with guilt, try practicing what we call a “Lifeswerve Pause.” Three deep breaths. A reminder that you’re doing the best you can. And a little whisper: “I am worthy of love, even when I’m a hot mess.” Because you are. And so is everyone else. 

- Kim