Hi ,
Happy August!
Is that an oxymoron?
Though I’m no longer a faculty member, the academic calendar is so ingrained in my system that I feel a sense of mourning and increased pressure when we say goodbye to July. I
even had a teaching-stress dream a couple of nights ago.
That makes this an especially important time to come together to celebrate all we’ve accomplished, identify key things we’d like to prioritize for the remainder of the summer, and set aside some time to get them done! Luckily, the free trial of
the STANDOUT Professor Confab does all that and more. And we start next week! Learn more and register (info on the free trial appears near the middle of the Confab page). We can’t wait to see you.
And on the topic of celebrating, the fourth key from Resourced & Ready: The Ultimate R&R happens to be Celebrate your (true) self, so let's get this party started!
Key #4: Celebrate Your (True) Self
Celebrating yourself starts with knowing and acknowledging who you truly are. You might begin by taking some time to clarify your core values. Or maybe you’d like to explore your top strengths.
Of course, celebrating yourself goes beyond just knowing who you are—it’s about honoring that person with kindness and respect. Sadly, most of us have a pretty loud inner critic, especially in high-achieving
environments like academia. Rather than giving ourselves grace, we’re constantly striving for the next goal. It can feel like we’re never enough… like we never fully reach our destination.
It’s normal for our brains to zero in on the negative, even when there’s so much more that’s good. That’s just how we’re
wired. But when we start to notice that critical inner voice and get curious about it, we open up space for new perspectives. Having a conversation with our inner critic or even giving that judge a silly name and persona creates healthy distance, making it easier to distinguish that voice from our own. Over time, this can boost our confidence, support our well-being, and enhance our capacity for joy.
Try It: A Short and Sweet Mirror Conversation
In The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama describes the power of simple mirror conversations to show ourselves love and kindness. Why not give it a try?
Greet your reflection in the mirror with a friendly hello and a thoughtful remark, much like you would greet a friend. “Hey there! It’s great to see you.” Or “Hello, my dear. Well, aren’t you the bees' knees!”
I fully admit
that this can feel awkward at first. It gets easier and feels more natural over time as we grow accustomed to interacting with ourselves in this way. Ultimately, saying a sweet, sassy, or silly hello whenever we catch a glimpse of our image in the mirror can become a way to inject some lightheartedness into our day.
Try It: More in the Mirror
Once you master the initial mirror conversation, you might consider expanding the practice by acknowledging things you appreciate about yourself—your creativity, your
compassion, the way you handled a tough moment. You might pick one trait you love and celebrate it (aloud if you’re brave): “I celebrate my perseverance,” or “I celebrate how hard I work and how deeply I care.”
Finish with a kind affirmation, like “You’re crushing it,” or “You are always enough.” Or, if
that type of message feels insincere in the moment, you might place a hand on your heart and say, “I’ve got you” or “We’re in this together.”
Many of us naturally focus on what’s missing or what needs improvement. By
taking a few minutes to pause and appreciate what’s going well, we lighten our load. And it isn’t just us we’re uplifting: celebrating our growth, strengths, and who we truly are helps us show up more fully in everything we do.
Let's take a moment to celebrate ourselves today. I know I could use it, and we’re
absolutely worth it.
Thanks for being here, and huge thanks for being you!
