These are things I want to live by. Writing them down is easier than following them, which is part of why I want them here.
Irrational Self-Belief
If I don't believe in what I'm doing, why should anyone else?
I want enough belief to begin before I have everyone's approval. That doesn't mean ignoring evidence. It means not needing permission to take myself seriously.
Overflow
Be steady first. Then give.
I want to be useful to the people around me without treating being depleted as proof that I care.
Let Them
I can't control what other people choose. I can pay attention to those choices and decide how to respond.
Less trying to manage everyone. More observing what's actually there.
Law of Inertia
An object in motion tends to stay in motion.
I think about this when starting feels harder than the thing itself. Do something small enough to begin. Give yourself something to build on.
Be Kind
Kindness matters even when it doesn't get noticed or lead anywhere useful.
I don't want to need a strategic reason to treat someone well.
Be Curious
Question longer than others.
Especially when I think I already understand. There's usually more to learn if I'm willing to stop performing certainty for a minute.
Strangers Are Just Friends You Haven't Met Yet
Stay open. Most people carry something worth knowing.
I don't know who someone will become in my life before we've had a conversation. I'd rather leave room to find out.
Be Contrarian
Consensus deserves scrutiny, not automatic rejection.
I want to know why I agree or disagree. Being different for the sake of it doesn't tell me much.
Choose the Harder Choice
It's usually the one I'm tempted to talk myself out of for the wrong reasons.
Not everything difficult is worthwhile. But when I know what the right choice is, I don't want convenience to make the decision for me.