November 2026 Newsletter: You have done enough

Hello, friends!

This November, I want to encourage you to do something that sounds simple but can be surprisingly difficult: Take it easy.

Now, considering that I create meditation and mindfulness content, you might imagine that I’m floating through life in a perpetual state of peace and tranquility.

I assure you, I am not.

The truth is that I’ve been an anxious person for as long as I can remember. And while meditation and other mindfulness practices have helped me manage those feelings, I’ve also learned something else as I’ve gotten older: Sometimes, the best thing I can do for my peace of mind is to remove myself from a situation that’s causing unnecessary stress.

Not every uncomfortable situation can or should be avoided, of course. Sometimes we have responsibilities to fulfill, difficult conversations to have, or circumstances we simply have to navigate.

But sometimes? We have options.

And I’m learning to exercise mine.

A Little Grace Goes a Long Way

This year has been tumultuous, to say the least.

There has been loss and grief, both in my own life and in the lives of people I care about. I’ve experienced quite a few changes, spent much of the summer away from home, and navigated more uncertainty than I would have preferred.

One thing that’s helped me through it all is learning to pay attention to the situations that cause me distress and asking myself what I can reasonably do to make them a little easier.

Sometimes that means stepping away. Sometimes it means calling a friend, writing in my journal, taking a walk, or simply adjusting my expectations.

And sometimes, it means going home.

Last Thursday, I volunteered at a graduation celebration for a local organization here in Houston. It was my first time volunteering with them in several months, and I was happy to be back.

The event was lovely. People were celebrating, enjoying food, and having a wonderful time.

But as the evening went on, I started feeling tired and overwhelmed.

The event was scheduled to wrap up around 8 p.m., with everyone out by 8:30. But at 8:30, the celebration was still going strong.

My first instinct was to stay.

After all, I had committed to volunteering. I didn’t want to seem unreliable or leave before everything was finished.

But then I stopped and considered the situation.

I had shown up. I had helped. I had stayed for the time I originally committed to. There were plenty of other people available, and leaving wouldn’t put anyone in a difficult position.

So I said my goodbyes, explained that I had an early morning, and went home.

And you know what?

It felt wonderful.

Not because I didn’t enjoy the event. I absolutely did.

It felt wonderful because I recognized that I had done enough, and I allowed that to be enough.

No guilt. No elaborate justification. No forcing myself to endure another hour simply because I thought I should.

Just a small moment of grace.

Your Peace Is Worth Considering

I’m sharing this because I suspect some of you can relate.

Maybe you’re staying at a gathering longer than you’d like. Maybe you’re saying yes to another obligation when your schedule is already full. Maybe you’re holding yourself to a standard that no one else is even asking you to meet.

As we move into November, I want to encourage you to pause and ask yourself:

Am I doing this because it’s necessary, or because I feel guilty about choosing otherwise?

Sometimes the answer will be that you need to stay, follow through, or do the difficult thing.

But other times, you might discover that you have more freedom than you realized.

And when you do, I hope you’ll give yourself permission to use it.

You don’t have to earn every moment of rest by reaching the point of exhaustion.

Sometimes, you’ve simply done enough.

And that’s okay.

November’s upcoming moon Inspiration 🌙

As we move through November, we’ll have two opportunities to reflect on what we’re ready to begin and what we’re ready to release.

November’s New Moon in Scorpio on November 9th: A time to turn inward, reflect on our emotional needs, and set intentions for greater peace and clarity.

A New Moon Question to Ask Yourself: what am I ready to stop carring into the next chapter (and year!) of my life?

November’s Full Moon in Gemini on November 24th: A time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, recognize what we’ve outgrown, and consider what we’re ready to let go of.

A Full Moon Question to Ask Yourself: Which expectations or obligations can I release soon in order to create more room for peace?

Whether you follow the lunar cycles closely or simply enjoy using them as moments for reflection, I hope you’ll make a little space for yourself this month.