When It Gets Tough, the Tough Keeps Going!

Feeling the burnout of my 90-day challenge but I’m pushing through!

This edition of my newsletter is brought to you by:

Hello there!

We’re at the end of week 3 of my 90-day challenge, and I’ll be honest—it hasn’t been easy. The excitement of starting something new is wearing off, and the routine that felt fresh and empowering just a couple of weeks ago now feels a little… monotonous. Have you ever experienced this? When what was once a thrilling adventure starts to feel like a daily grind?

But here’s what I’ve learnt—this is exactly the point where most people give up. And I get it, because I’ve felt that pull too. It’s so tempting to hit snooze on the alarm, to skip a day, to convince yourself that it’s okay to let things slide…just this once. But this week, I discovered something powerful: If I can push through this phase, real growth will happen.

So, what did I succeed at this week? Juggling it all.
Let me give you a glimpse into my week. My daughter’s school resumed, which means my schedule just got a whole lot busier. Between the school runs, homework, and everything that comes with being a parent, I could easily have let my own goals slip. But I didn’t. Despite the chaos, I hit every one of my targets, and I’m proud of that.

I didn’t drop the ball on my writing or my health goals. My morning walks continued, my writing sessions were on point, and I even managed to publish everything on time. It wasn’t magic; it was commitment. And trust me, it wasn’t easy.

Remember when I said that my routine had become monotonous?
The truth is, the more I stuck to my routine, the more it started to feel, well, routine. That initial excitement I had at the beginning of week 2 faded, and it became easy for me to get bored and feel lazy about sticking to the plan. I even started questioning why I was doing all of these at all. I have published today's article and it documents all I felt this week. Give it a read if you have about 6 minutes. Anyway, here’s what I think: that boredom is a sign that I’m on the right track.

You see, boredom and the urge to give up are signs that your new habits are taking root. It’s your mind’s way of testing your resolve. Even one of my favourite authors, James Clear, mentioned it in his book (Atomic Habits). He says “We get bored with habits because they stop delighting us. The outcome becomes expected. And as our habits become ordinary, we start derailing our progress to seek novelty.”

The question is, “Am I going to push through, or am I going to revert to my old ways?”

Of course, I’m sticking it out!
Here’s how I’ve been pushing through this challenging phase, and how I plan to continue:

1. Remember my ‘why’: When the going gets tough, I remind myself of the reason I started in the first place. The entire challenge is about becoming a better version of myself—not just for me, but for my daughter too. I want to show her that it’s possible to stick to something and see it through, even when it’s hard.

2. Switch it up: As my routine started to feel stale, I started making small changes. This week, I varied my walking routes and tried writing in a different part of the house. These tweaks seem small but they helped me break the monotony of my routine and kept things interesting.

3. Celebrate small wins: Achieving my goals this week felt extra special because I knew how hard I worked for it. I celebrated by acknowledging my progress, no matter how small. I’m doing more than I used to do, I deserve to give myself credit for that!

4. Take a breather, but don’t quit: I kept reminding myself that it’s okay to feel tired and overwhelmed. And it’s also okay to take a short break as long as I don’t mistake taking a breather for giving up.

I’ve been doing all the talking, now it’s your turn.
I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever hit that boredom phase on your journey to achieve your goals? How do you push through when things start to feel tough? Reply to this email or connect with me on social media (via Instagram or LinkedIn). 

Remember that:

"When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."
- Carol Burnett

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Until next week’s letter, have an amazing life!

With Love,
Rae.

---

Favourite Things This Week

Balancing Creativity With Motherhood & Career

Without being told, I know that I’m juggling many things in my life; a career, a toddler, a health challenge, a business, and a home that needs to be cared for daily. All of these are competing for time with Read more...

The Uncertainty Of Being Between Things

Unlike a lot of people who would rather stick to a career path that they didn’t love because it’s paying their bills (the safe choice in this terrible economy), I’m pushing myself to explore an uncertain path. Read more...

No One Knows What They Are Doing

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from studying (and being around) some of the most successful people in Nigeria, it’s that nobody really knows what they’re doing. Not a single person! Read more...

Before you go🤚

I love receiving feedback from readers and would love to hear from you. Do send me a quick feedback on how I am doing with Reflections With Rae. Is there anything you'd like to see more of or less of? Which aspects of the newsletter (or blog posts) do you enjoy the most?

Hit ‘reply’ to drop me a line, shoot over a question, or come introduce yourself in my inbox. I’d genuinely love to hear about areas of improvement and learn more about you and your business!

Cheers,
Rae.

On another note, here's how I can help:

• Check out my free resources: Click here to receive any of my free resources directly in your inbox, to learn more on how to improve your creative life and business.

• Get a personalised offer (free): I'll help you identify the best next step for you (and make you a personalised offer).

• Support this newsletter: Get in front of 50+ readers (for now).