​​View in browser​

Hi Reader

Can you please imagine it’s last Sunday - yes, the one where my “Weekly Backyard Gossip” went AWOL because, well, I was knee-deep in boxes, frantically packing for our big Canadian adventure 🇨🇦 So here I am, two days, coffee in hand, ready to make amends and share a little confession. 😊

Have you ever found yourself justifying something… to yourself, or maybe even to others, when it really isn’t necessary? For me, it struck me during a small commitment I made to go for a daily walk. Nothing intense, just ten conscious minutes outside (I've been doing this for the past 1636 days by the way). But when I ran into my neighbor on one of my short walks, I found myself almost apologizing for it, ready to concoct a reason for forgetting my gate card or something absurd! Why? I wasn’t walking for my neighbor’s approval, after all!

Why do we do this, though? There’s something in us that craves acceptance, maybe even reassurance that our choices are “good enough”. It’s almost like we’re seeking a nod of approval—even for the small stuff, like a 10-minute walk. We feel compelled to justify ourselves, as if our choices aren’t valid until someone else confirms them. But here’s the catch: the only validation we really need is our own.

Once I realized it, I started keeping an eye on how often I felt this urge to justify. Fast forward to my weekly jog last Sunday. As usual, our backyard terrain is hilly, and let’s be real—I’m not a fan of those uphill stretches. So I made a genius plan with my husband: I’d run downhill, and he’d swing by to collect me in the car. When my neighbor asked about my run, I decided to be honest. Turns out, she thought it was a clever plan! Too bad I’m moving to Canada, or we could start a local uphill carpool! 🤣

So, tell me, when do you catch yourself making excuses? Why not give yourself a break and enjoy your choices, excuses-free?

With love from the soon-to-be Canadian backyard 🇨🇦 🐻

Peggy
xo