You don't always have to push through adversity

A new month brought our first #L2LMixer of the year, and it felt like a big hug!

It was a morning we all needed - a chance to step away from the news and doom scrolling to be in community with one another.

From moving our bodies through a session led by India Marie, owner of Work It Pilates to slowing things down with a sound bath led by Toni G., it was a morning that allowed us to put ourselves first.

?The mixer's theme was about keeping our momentum in the face of adversity. This theme was on my heart after experiencing my own climb of pursuing goals as I worked through my grief. As I shared my truth with friends, I learned they, too, were working through their own adversity.

When life throws us lemons, we don't always make lemonade. When facing adversity, three choices come to mind: we give up, push through, or remain still until we are ready to move forward. Many of us give up.?

As we entered 2025 it felt emotional. It seemed like grief and uncertainty was all around us. Many changes in our government are affecting many of our businesses and even our livelihoods. It's enough to make us want to give up, but in our panel conversation, the theme of delayed but not denied became clear as our panelists shared their testimonies. Whether it was a search for purpose or a need to abruptly find a new business space to work out of, India and Kayla reminded us to give space to let God show His grace when faced with uncertainty. Courtney and Ashley shared stories of what happens when we are dealing with different forms of grief and allowing ourselves to acknowledge and confront the loss instead of running away from it.

Our panelists also shared their tips for staying committed to your physical, nutrition, financial and mental health goals. Here are a few:

1. The winter is meant for rest. Ease into the year with your goals.
2. Block and remove social media accounts that you follow that make you feel unhappy or unworthy.
3. You don't have to deprive yourself of food you like. Just be mindful of how you consume. Be creative with the ingredients in your favorite recipes and substitute them for healthier options.
4. If your budget is tight, change your spending habits to invest more in what helps with your wellness. Cut down on luxuries to invest more on what you need.

You don't always need to work through adversity, but in times of stillness, find your way back to yourself and try again.

Thank you to all of our event partners that helped us kick off the year. Thank you 1 Hotel Nashville, GOODONYA, Pause Studio Green Hills, Adams Media x Oludara, Charleston Coffee Roasters and The Quality Code for enhancing our gift bags.

Special thanks to Google Fiber Nashville for sponsoring a giveaway to help four lucky winners with their wellness and business goals.