🌻 Perfect Progression: Finding Joy

Hey there,

Welcome to the very first issue of Perfectamente in Progress! Estoy encantada to have you here as we navigate the beautiful mess of life together. This newsletter is all about embracing the journey, celebrating progress over perfection, and finding authentic ways to thrive even when things don't go according to plan.

Finding What Sparks Effortless Joy

We've all heard about "doing what makes you happy," but discovering genuine sources of joy no siempre es fácil. Here are a few ways to identify what lights you up:

• Notice when time disappears: What activities make you lose track of time? When do you find yourself fully absorbed and present? These flow states often point to authentic joy.

• Pay attention to your energy: Some activities drain us while others energize us—even when they're challenging. What leaves you feeling more alive afterward rather than depleted?

• Remove the pressure: A veces we mix up what brings us joy with what we think should bring us joy. Try removing expectations and asking: "If no one else knew or cared about this, would I still enjoy it?"

• Experiment widely: Joy can hide in unexpected places. Try something completely outside your comfort zone at least once a month—you might surprise yourself!

Recuerda, genuine joy doesn't mean constant happiness—it's about finding activities that connect you to yourself and make life feel meaningful.

Since January, I’ve been struggling with a pinched nerve that has made running and dancing—my two reliable sources of joy and stress relief—off-limits. I had hoped to have a faster recovery through physical therapy, pero ya sabes, sometimes life be life-ing!

This hit a little harder when I shared with my therapist that movement was a way to connect and love my body, especially since I’ve had body image issues most of my life. Of course, there are other forms of movement I can do, but dancing and running have been fool-proof activities for me to get my boost. 

This forced pause has taught me something valuable: relying too heavily on just one or two sources of joy leaves us vulnerable! It's like putting all your emotional eggs in one basket 🧺 Así que ahora, I'm learning (imperfectly) to distribute my joy across different areas of life—finding small moments of happiness in places I hadn't thought to look before.

Often, we’re told to find "the one thing" we're passionate about. But what if we embraced being multi-passionate instead? What if having diverse sources of fulfillment isn't just enjoyable but actually essential for thriving?

I'm still figuring this out. That's what "Perfectamente in Progress" means to me this week—embracing the beautiful uncertainty of growth while knowing we're exactly where we need to be.

Community Connections: A recent trip to LA and Paso Robles reminded me how powerful it is to disconnect from routine and reconnect with humans. Catching up with old friends, making new ones, and sharing stories under the California sun filled my cup in ways I didn't realize I needed.

Childhood Cumbias: Though I can't fully dance to them (yet!), listening to cumbias from my childhood has been unexpectedly warming. Music has a magical way of transporting us across time and space, doesn't it? Check out the playlist here.

What small, everyday source of joy have you rediscovered or newly appreciated recently? How might you intentionally incorporate more of these simple joys into your routine, especially during challenging times?

_{¿Qué dijo? / What did she say?
Estoy encantada - I’m delighted
no siempre es fácil - isn’t always easy
a veces - sometimes
recuerda - remember
pero ya sabes - but you know
Así que ahora - so now
con cariño - with kindness}