Unmotivated, Overstimulated, and Making Friends as an Adult

WELCOME TO THE PORTAL: A newsletter to help ambitious and overwhelmed people get things done in a way that actually feels good.

Ready to opt out of the grind? Click here to subscribe to The Portal.

💭 ONE THING WE’RE THINKING ABOUT

If you’ve been wondering what’s happened to your motivation over the past few years…

This week on the blog, Anna dives into one of the biggest reasons you may feel unmotivated — and why it’s not your fault.

👀 ONE THING WE’RE OBSESSED WITH

James Clear shared a decision framework in his newsletter recently that we’re guessing a few of you can use:

I think about decisions in three ways: hats, haircuts, and tattoos.

Most decisions are like hats. Try one and if you don’t like it, put it back and try another. The cost of a mistake is low, so move quickly and try a bunch of hats.

Some decisions are like haircuts. You can fix a bad one, but it won’t be quick and you might feel foolish for awhile. That said, don't be scared of a bad haircut. Trying something new is usually a risk worth taking. If it doesn't work out, by this time next year you will have moved on and so will everyone else.

A few decisions are like tattoos. Once you make them, you have to live with them. Some mistakes are irreversible. Maybe you'll move on for a moment, but then you'll glance in the mirror and be reminded of that choice all over again. Even years later, the decision leaves a mark. When you're dealing with an irreversible choice, move slowly and think carefully.

Okay, perfectionists — we’re lookin at you:

Where are you making something into a tattoo or a haircut, when it’s actually a hat?

What would it feel like to try something new or different, knowing it’s a hat that can be taken off or swapped in and out?

🎧 ONE THING WE’RE LISTENING TO

THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS:
What to Do When You Don’t Like the Way You Feel (20 min)

🤔 ONE QUESTION FOR YOU

⭐️ ONE LAST THING

Here’s an article on how to make friends as an adult 👯‍♀️

TLDR; everyone is lonely and you’re gonna have to try without knowing where it’s going

Send this issue to a friend: Copy this link to share!