Don’t let fear win
Good morning. I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to let fear get in the way. It’s tempting to stay in your bubble — the places where you feel safe and warm and comfortable.
Recently, I’ve felt it myself. The fear of taxes. Of changing my business. Of traveling on my own. Each time, my first instinct is to bow out. To play it safe.
But then I catch myself. And I realize what I’m doing.
I’m shrinking to fit my fears instead of living a life filled with color and growth.
So I’m choosing not to. And I think you should too, {{ subscriber.first_name }}.
If you’ve been feeling stuck lately, this is exactly where I’d send you:
Stuck in a Rut? 50 Life-Changing Ways to Push Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Even doing one of these this week is enough to start shifting something. 600+ readers have used it to get started this year.
TABLE WISDOM
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston Churchill
Speaking of shaking things up: when was the last time your family did something different?
This free jeopardy game is a surprisingly easy answer to that question →
Karisa let us know that our jeopardy games have been a huge hit with her family recently.
Looking for a seasonal jeopardy? Check out the whole collection here >>
Tired of Being Tired? These Simple Habits Boost Your Energy Without a Drop of Coffee
😴✨ Half the reason we stay in our comfort zone is that we’re too exhausted to imagine anything different.
Psychologist Roy Baumeister’s research shows that mental exhaustion drains the willpower you need to try new things. Which is why rest and energy habits aren’t just self-care. They’re the foundation for growth.
RESERVED FOR THE TABLE
One of the easiest ways to model courage for your kids is to get outside and explore something new together.
Over 400 families have downloaded these this season. The page protector tip came from one of them.
🎁 Download them here:
Nature Scavenger Hunt pdf
Pro Tip: Put them in a page protector and use them with a dry-erase marker. Then, you can do it again and again!
I’ve been talking about not letting fear shrink your life. My child taught me the same lesson in a very different way. Here’s what happened:
STORIES FROM THE TABLE
Beauty is in Your Heart
When my daughter was 7 years old, she gifted me with a life lesson.
It was a day at school when kids could take in a “stuffy.” So, that morning, she chose the most hideous, well-worn, dirty stuffed cat.
At first, I was embarrassed. “Honey, let’s take something else. I know you sleep with this one, but it’s seen better days” I said.
She wholeheartedly disagreed. This was her beloved stuffy. How DARE I say anything different.
We argued about this for a while. Until it hit me.
Her love made this toy beautiful. It doesn’t matter what I think. Or what anyone else thinks of it. It doesn’t even really matter what it looks like.
All that matters is how she feels about it.
And the same goes for anything we experience in our world.
Why can’t it be beautiful?
My daughter reminded me of something I had forgotten.
Worrying about what others think shouldn’t stop you from staying true to your heart. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder (something to remember in a world obsessed with looks and fitting in).
What do you think, friend, are you staying true to your own heart lately?
My daughter didn’t need anyone’s approval to love what she loved. Neither do you.
If fear of what others think has been holding you back, this list is a good place to start. Not someday. But today →
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
WHEN YOU’RE READY Here are a few ways the table goes deeper:
1. Visit the free pantry — A game, a checklist, coupons, and more. All free and ready to grab. Access here → Password is HHI.
2. Try something new with friends and family — PDF games delivered in minutes. Because doing something different together is its own kind of courage. No setup. No screens. No ads. Shop the games →
3. Join the 12 Month Family Night Connection Club — 48 ready-to-go family nights, so you never have to skip connecting again.
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SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
What was the most-streamed original series of 2023?
The answer (#2) might surprise you. And so will the rest of this teen trivia if you have one at home →
TABLE TALK
Exactly what parenting is like some days…
The life you’re not living because of fear isn’t waiting indefinitely. But tonight is still available.
If you have anything at all you’d like to share, ask, or say, just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
You belong at this table,
Jenn Kropf
Founder of Healthy Happy Impactful