Lightness is In Season
Welcome to April—the month that kicks off with practical jokes and fun, making it the perfect time to stop taking yourself so seriously.
After months of grey skies and bare branches, flowers return and energy rebounds, reminding us that heavy things don’t last forever.
And honestly? I think most of us could use that reminder right now. With everything going on in the world, it’s easy to move through the days feeling heavy.
But I believe in times of heaviness, the need for lightness matters.
I can begin by not taking myself so seriously. Maybe you’d like to join me?!
Here’s what I know…
Life is messy and ever-evolving. So are careers. This month, let things be easier, lighter, maybe even a little ridiculous (in the best way).
Let yourself imagine what easier or lighter could actually look like. Open yourself up to the idea that the next chapter doesn’t have to feel as heavy as this one.
Because lightness is officially In Season.
Here’s to a month of a little more play and a little less pressure.
“And the best thing you’ve ever done for me is to help me take my life less seriously…It’s only life after all.”–Indigo Girls —“Closer to Fine”
Career Talk: How to Lighten Up
Making light of work doesn’t have to be a full overhaul. Just choose one moment to take 1% less seriously. That’s it. That’s all that’s needed…a tiny crack to let the light in.
Here are a few simple ways to bring a little more lightness into your workday:
+ Give things a fun name. Working on a stressful project? An outlandish title or silly nickname will make everyone smile.
+ Lighten up your digital communication. Use a fun subject line for an internal email, lean on reaction emojis in Slack or Zoom. 🙃 ← exists for a reason.
+ Switch up your background music. Put on jazz music and pretend you’re a 1930s detective piecing together a case instead of filling in spreadsheets. Embrace the silliness.
+ Kick off a meeting with a lighthearted question. Favorite ice cream flavor, go-to karaoke song, best recent TV show—it takes 60 seconds and makes the whole room feel more human before diving into work.
+ Keep something nearby that makes you smile. I have this photo of my dog Tula sitting among the daffodils that never fails to make me smile on a hard day.
+ Answer an email without overthinking the punctuation. Let something small slide. Give “perfect” time off.
+ Try “it’s all part of the fun.” My best friend and I once went to Paris together, and everything that could go wrong did. “It’s all part of the fun” became our mantra, and those mishaps are now our favorite memories. When something doesn’t go as planned, try making it yours. It won’t fix anything, but it changes the tone entirely.
Joyful Career Paths Begin Here
Recently, one of my dear clients, who was working in the government sector and feeling fried, moved into the outdoor recreation industry and found so much more JOY in their career path!
This is what I want for you, friend.
The In Season planner and Fried to Flourishing course are the perfect pair for adding more joy to every day. Together, they will help you anticipate daily delights, reflect on what lights you up, and connect those to your career path.
Best of all, when you select the Fried to Flourishing bundle, you now get 3 one-on-one coaching sessions—everything you need to make this season count.
If something in you is ready—this is how we begin.
Yes, And: The Rule That Will Help You Adopt The Mindset Needed For Career Change
If you’re feeling stuck in your career, sometimes changing just one word can make all the difference in your mindset and open new doors.
Read this month’s blog to find out how you can start flourishing one “yes, and” at a time!
Join Fried to Flourishing
A flourishing garden results from interconnected relationships—and a flourishing career is no different. Combining the self-paced Fried To Flourishing course with the unmatched power of community, we’ve developed the nutrients needed for the career change you’ve wanted to make.
Fried to Flourishing Course
A comprehensive experience in making a meaningful career change
Want more career wisdom? Check out these podcast episodes/blog posts!
+ LinkedIn With Confidence with Michelle Schafer (Part 1)
+ Why Leadership Growth Isn’t Linear with Akua Nyame-Mensah
+ Fresh Starts are In Season
For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.
