I am currently chasing Northern Lights in the Norwegian polar circle.

But I promised myself I would share something with you every week.

This week I’d like to share with you a few ideas and quotes that I have sat with lately and that I believe can spark some inner conversations for you too.

5 ideas for you to reflect on:

1. There is a difference between doubting your work and doubting yourself.

This one came from one of my latest readings: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

Doubting your work is a reflection of your critical thinking and desire for improvement. It's a constructive process where you evaluate the quality, effectiveness, or impact of what you've produced.

Doubting yourself goes deeper, touching on your self-esteem and confidence. It's a more personal and, often, less constructive form of doubt, where you question your capabilities, skills, or worthiness.

2. Someone out there has it worse than you and is doing it better.

This is your reminder that challenges and hardships are relative.

It’s not to diminish our own struggles or feelings but rather about recognizing the capacity for human strength and perseverance.

Just like there are people out there doing it better, there are also people doing it worse than you would, with less knowledge, less time, and less money than you.

It is your duty and responsibility to put out better work in the world and move toward progress.

3. The only way out is through.

This quote is from Jordan Peterson.

The most effective way to deal with a problem is not by avoiding it, but by confronting it directly.

The journey “through” is often where we find our greatest strength and insight.

It is also where we find meaning.

And meaning is more enjoyable than happiness.

Because it lasts longer.

4. If it costs you peace of mind, don’t buy it.

Too often we think in monetary value and don’t consider the real costs of our decisions.

A pay raise may look like a net positive, but it usually comes with more responsibilities, longer commutes, or more work.

They all have one thing in common: it costs your time.

Time away from your loved ones, time not invested in your health, or your passion.

And this might be what costs you the most that you can’t get back.

5. The world belongs to optimists.

The closest people in my life think the opposite.

They would rather identify as pessimistic (disguised or proclaimed as realistic) making the argument that they can never be disappointed.

And I agree to some extent and within specific contexts it is a good way to shield yourself.

But if you’re going to do anything big, you need to believe it can happen.

3 questions to ask yourself:

1. What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

Fear often acts as a barrier, holding us back from pursuing our dreams, taking risks, or embracing change.

But consider this: the things you want most are on the other side of the actions you’re not taking.

Being afraid is painful. But most of the pain we endure is purely in our own minds.

Using that pain is your best chance at doing the thing.

Because pain moves people far more effectively than pleasure does.

2. Why does it bother you?

Someone tells you something.

You feel offended. It sticks in your mind and it bothers you.

Ask yourself why.

I find that most of the time, although we don’t want to admit it, the reason it bothers us is because deep down we agree.

Stupid example: my partner made the remark once that my teeth were not perfectly aligned. I got offended by it and got mad at him. But it was true. My teeth were indeed a little unaligned. And because I agreed with him, it didn’t make sense for me to get offended by that statement.

Truth hurts when it compromises our ego.

But truth is more important than yourself, so always ask why.

3. Are you willing to do what is required?

Think about what you are working on.

It can be a relationship, a project, a career move, anything.

Are you putting in the effort it requires for you to deserve the outcome?

Or are you looking for a shortcut?

If you haven’t gotten what you want, it’s because you don’t deserve it yet.

Once you acknowledge it, go and improve.

Hope you enjoyed this letter and its format.

Don’t hesitate to share your feedback and let me know if this is something you enjoy reading.

See you in the next one,

Angel