When the thing you love starts to feel like work

Hey you… this is the week the thing I love started to feel like work. Let’s talk about it.

For the first time ever, sitting down to write this newsletter felt like a task instead of the thing I look forward to all week. Not dread exactly, just a pause. A “should I do this?” where there’s never once been a question before. It was always just duh, of course, this is one of the best parts of my week. And this week it wasn’t.

So let’s get into it.

One Thing to Think About This Week

The lightbulb moment this week wasn’t really a moment, it was more of a slow realization. I love writing this newsletter. I have never once dreaded it. And this week, for the first time, I sat down to write and felt… tired. Not uninspired. Just tired.

And I think that’s worth sitting with instead of pushing past. When something you love starts to feel heavy, it’s not always a sign you’re doing it wrong. Sometimes it’s just a sign you’re running on empty and your body’s asking you to notice.

Celebrate Your Wins

Madison and I fully reclaimed our back yard this week. Took down old planter boxes, mowed and cleaned up the yard, cleared out stuff we don’t use anymore. Feels great to sit out back and feel pleasure instead of items to add to a task list
We’ve almost finalized the garage gym remodel. Now it’s an actual garage gym. Like, a space I want to be in. I’ve caught myself just sitting out there because it feels that good. Except for the humidity. Idk what’s going on in Austin, but it’s SOOOOO humid.
Pool time is happening more and more. We’ve had this pool for over 3 years and it’s the first year that we use it multiple times a week (if if just for 10 minutes)

Productivity Hack of the Week

Here’s where I landed this week: instead of choosing between my morning routine or rest, I’m combining both. Shortened SAVERS in the morning, even if it’s just five minutes. And I’m dropping from six gym days a week to four, adding in home movement and at least one run a week.

The fail that’s just as real: my Miracle Morning routine has basically been MIA for almost a month. I’m still waking up early, but I’ve been going straight to autopilot instead of intention. No journaling, no silence, no visualization… nothing. And I can feel the difference it’s made.

What I’m Into This Week

Show: Madison and I watched I Will Find You on Netflix and blew through the whole short series in like two or three days. Action, mystery, the kind where you just keep clicking next episode. Worth it.

Tech: My Garmin and the body scan at the gym have been weirdly helpful this week, especially switching off birth control pills to the Mirena. My hormones are doing their own thing and it’s nice having data that helps me understand what’s actually going on instead of just guessing.

Mindset: Stumbled on a Wim Hof breathwork video. It’s a great beginner, how the H do I do breathwork type of video. Really helpful and so powerful.

Life Snapshot

Personal Wins: I was 5/5 at the gym this week with getting a metal. :) It’s the little things, okay! It means I dominated at getting my heart rate and effort in the right zone, for the specific movements of the workout for the day.

Family Moments: We had a quick pitstop at one of our fave breweries, Fast Friends. At first Ledger wasn’t vibin with the place, (we’ll blame the heat) so we decided to leave but as we were walking to the car, he changed his mind so we sat inside instead and had a fun and chill time. Getting out and away from home for a bit as a family is always such a treat.

Real-Life Relatability: The newsletter pause. The “should I do this” thought I’ve never had before. I’m letting it be honest here instead of editing it out, because I bet some of you know exactly what that feels like with something you love too.

One Last Thing

When your body and your brain both start waving flags, the answer isn’t to push harder. It’s to find the rhythm, not the perfect plan.

If there’s one thing I want you to take from this week, it’s that it’s okay for even the things you love to feel hard sometimes. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means it’s time to listen.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” — Psalm 23:2-3

Fun P.S.

Ledger is a certified do-er. I asked him if he wanted to swim or pick up dog poo this week. He picked dog poo. No hesitation. We also took a trip to Home Depot for flowers, came home, got his gloves on, his little plastic shovel, and helped Mads plant all the flowers like it was his job. 10/10 employee.

What I’m Building

This week’s challenge update: shifting from six workouts a week to four, bringing SAVERS mornings back, and prioritizing longevity over intensity for this stretch of the 90-day challenge. The goal has never been the scale. It’s finding the rhythm that actually sustains me for life.

(I’ve been stock piling 90 days of content that will go on Youtube soon. If you’re not following me there yet, what are you waiting for?) Click me: http://youtube.com/trinaberks

Find your rhythm this week. I’ll be right here finding mine.

Talk soon,

Trina

Follow along on my Youtube journey for fun and creative ways to continue to grow into the person you know you have inside of you.

Miss a post? You can view all Newsletter posts here. Interested what my 1:1 coaching looks like? Check out my website transformwithtrina.com

🎧 Want more? Catch this newsletter on the podcast too:

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