If you’ve been following along with the Live Full Work Fun Podcast, you might have noticed something unusual these past few weeks—silence. No new episodes. No updates. Just… quiet.
And if you know me at all, you know I’ve always been a big advocate for consistency. Show up. Do the work. Keep moving forward. It’s been one of my core messages.
So what happened?
Here’s the honest truth: I hit a wall. A serious case of the “don’t want tos” that I couldn’t shake.
The Irony of “Don’t Let the Start Stop You”
This season has been all about the theme “Don’t Let the Start Stop You.” It’s a catchphrase I’ve used for years—a little mantra to push through those initial moments of resistance when starting something difficult. When I mentioned it to my co-host Fran Attilio years ago, it resonated with her so deeply that she suggested we build an entire podcast season around it.
I love this saying. It keeps me motivated and moving forward. But somewhere along the way, I realized something important: I was using it as a shield to avoid asking myself why I was feeling stuck in the first place.
I was pushing through when I should have been pausing to listen.
When Burnout Creeps In
Fran and I have been filling our days with big projects—both collaborative ventures and separate pursuits. These projects consumed our time, our focus, and our creative energy. Recording sessions became harder to coordinate. Planned podcast recordings turned into working meetings about our other projects. The episodes became fewer and farther between.
And then I realized what was really happening: I had acquired a serious case of burnout.
I became lost in what I truly loved about my work. I questioned whether what I do really matters. I wondered if sitting at a computer all day was genuinely what I enjoyed anymore.
I felt like I had lost my spark. I got to where I didn’t want to do a lot of things…
The “Don’t Want Tos” Are a Signal
Here’s how I think about the “don’t want tos”—they’re a symptom of something deeper. They’re a sign that something might be off, that there are different priorities demanding attention, or that you’re operating out of alignment with what truly matters to you.
For me, they were screaming: Stop. Reassess. Realign.
I needed to let some things go. I needed to create brainspace for genuine self-reflection. I needed to find my spark again.
What I Learned: It’s OK to Pause
And here’s the big lesson I want to share with you: It’s okay to pause, and there’s a better way to gain consistency.
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do for our business is to stop producing. To step back and ask ourselves the hard questions:
- Am I creating from inspiration or obligation?
- Does this still align with who I am and what I want?
- What rhythm would actually be sustainable for me?
Real consistency isn’t about forcing yourself to show up when you have nothing genuine to say. True consistency comes from creating systems and rhythms that support your energy rather than drain it.
I’ve always believed that when you Live Full and Work Fun, success follows naturally. But I had forgotten to apply that philosophy to my own podcast. I was working, but I wasn’t working fun. And that misalignment was showing up loud and clear in my “don’t want tos.”
Moving Forward with Intention
So here’s what’s happening next: Fran and I actually recorded a couple of episodes several weeks ago that I hadn’t gotten around to editing and publishing. I’ve relistened to them, and they’re incredibly relevant to this moment.
Over the next two weeks, those episodes will go live. Next week’s episode covers task paralysis—and oh my goodness, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. If we were talking about task paralysis weeks ago, it’s now clear to me just how long I’d been operating in a state of overwhelm and frustration. That’s no way to live full and work fun.
The following week, you’ll hear our conversation about disconnecting to recharge. Again, incredibly timely.
Then I’ll return for the season finale to share what’s next for the show and for this journey.
Your Invitation This Week
I’m sharing all of this because I hope it gives you permission too. Permission to pause. Permission to reassess. Permission to stop doing things out of obligation and start creating from a place of genuine alignment.
So here’s my invitation to you:
What in your business or life are you doing out of obligation rather than inspiration?
Where have you been forcing consistency at the expense of authenticity? What would it look like to give yourself permission to pause, reassess, and realign?
The irony isn’t lost on me that during a season about “Don’t Let the Start Stop You,” I let the start stop me. But here’s the thing—none of us is perfect. My hope is that sharing my experiences and the messy, honest parts of my journey will inspire you to be gentler with yourself and to find ways to show up as your authentic self.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is stop. The pause may be exactly what you need to get moving again—in the direction that’s right for you.
Until next time, live full work fun.