Hey dear readers. This comes with a personal note from myself, and with a special offer of The Climate Optimist Handbook — scroll down to claim!
I’m not normally one to “step down”, so to speak. I’ve been a go-getter all my life and a multi-entrepreneur at this point, I know that nothing gets done unless I show up for it myself.
That is why I’ve kept going.
I love this work, I so value and appreciate this community (with you, my readers,) and I find the need to spread climate optimism to be highly important.
However, it’s time for me to take a (literal) page from my own book. In The Climate Optimist Handbook, there is a chapter about the journey and how important it is we recognize that our work here is not a sprint, but a long-winding journey with a lot of stops and unplanned detours.
That means that it’s essential to take a break from time to time and allow yourself to rest and reset, or else you’ll run yourself dry, or face the risk of breaking down and getting stranded in the most inconvenient places.
Metaphorically speaking, that could be on road in the middle of the desert without a gas or recharging station in sight. For us and our work, it could actually be much worse than that. For if we don’t tend to our personal needs and treat ourselves and our bodies with respect, chances are the climate optimist squad will lose an ally forever.
I like to think of myself as the newest EV on the market with endless miles of battery to go. But recently, I have been forced to reckon with my own boundaries and accept that I’m not a car, but a human being.
Let me share.
A few weeks ago, my husband Arthur tore his Achilles heel playing basketball. I can’t tell you how awful timing it’s been with our baby Eloise entering her 4-month sleep regression. So now, instead of having a partner to go through this difficult time with, I’m alone getting up every one to two hours at night, while spending all day taking care of him, the baby, the house, and myself. Needless to say, I feel more like a Duracell Bunny than a graceful EV these days, and the chance to just sit down and breathe is a luxury in itself!
I’m not asking for your pity (although, if you are to send strengthening thoughts my way, I’ll receive them with love) but I wanted to share this with full transparency as to why I’m not showing up here 100% these days.
I launched this year with big plans for this community,
super unaware of the bomb that was soon to be dropped on me. With that said, I still have big plans on the horizon, they are just a bit delayed given my current circumstances. But here are a few (exciting) goals that I’m working towards for this newsletter and community:
Longer-form, investigative content into psychology and human behavioral design (helpful for anyone who wants to spark positive change in the community around her)
Exploration of new exciting climate-positive innovations on the market
Bringing the podcast back to life, but in a newer, advanced format with exlusive extra content for paid subscribers (conversations are already happening for this)
To finally launch my Climate Optimist Master Class, a 10-session video series to awaken the climate leader in you!
More practical hands-on guides for sustainable living
Quarterly virtual community calls where we can share, grow, and reflect together
And this is an exciting one — sustainable, 100% recyclable climate optimist merch!
Thank you for being here. I have big dreams for the world and even bigger beliefs of what a community of readers this inspired and committed can to do make it happen!
But I’m coming to terms with my own boundaries these days and it’s been a truly awakening experience. To remind myself of the need for love and self-care, I will re-read my own chapter. (For paid subscribers, I’ll share the chapter for free below!)
And as a token of gratitude for all of you, here is an exclusive discounted price of my E-book for only $3.99 — available until Friday, 3/31!
OR, if you become a paid subscriber, I’ll send you the E-Book for free!! 😊
Thank you for being patient with me through these challenging times. I wish you a beautiful and action-driven spring ahead!
— AT
Chapter 30 — Road Tripping
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