What are you waiting for?

Well, hello!!

It’s so wonderful seeing you on this fresh Sunday morning.

So, today’s email is inspired by a conversation I was having with some friends earlier this week.

They’re in the US, and I’m… here, there, and everywhere (but Toronto today), so we have a rolling call set up every couple of months where we check in on all the things.

These chats cover personal life, work projects, Buddhism, psychedelics, world conflicts, books we’re reading and, and, and — and this week, the focus was Sinners, of course.

A lot was said, but there’s one thing I can’t get out of my head: my friend’s observation (I’ll avoid spoilers) that Coogler had brought everything he had to that film and made the movie he wanted to make. And she’s right, you can feel it.

I can only imagine the number of times he heard from people that didn’t “get it,” or the unsolicited executive “advice” on what does and doesn’t sell, or ways to make it more mainstream, timely, or accessible — blah blah blah.

And yet, despite all that, we ended up with the film he wanted to make. And we love it.

My friend went on to say a lot of profound things, but one phrase I cannot shake was when she said -

“He used every ounce of what he had, right now.”

Because, YES.

And

Why does that feel so rare? Why don’t more things feel like that? Am I even doing that?!?

Why have we got so used to holding a little back? Always saving something for another day…

Why does it feel so vulnerable… to fully show up in our lives or to the things we’re doing?

So that’s what we’ll be exploring today. If you haven’t already… grab your journal, pour a drink, get cozy.

As always, I have a lesson, three questions, and a dare for you. Let’s do this!

[A LESSON]

There’s this tendency to hold back parts of ourselves, waiting for the “right” moment.

You don’t post the thing because you want more followers first.

You save the outfit for a special occasion.

You put off sending the love note until a birthday.

We keep waiting, holding back, as if we have unlimited time to get it just right.

I get it. We want to maximize the impact, make sure it’s perfect, do it justice. Sometimes, we even convince ourselves that holding back is the “responsible” thing to do. After all, shouldn’t we wait for the perfect moment before putting our most vulnerable, creative, or bold selves out there?

But what if the moment never comes? Or what if, when it does, you’re not the same person who had that thought, that spark, that desire? What if, by the time you feel “ready,” the urgency or excitement that made you want to do it in the first place has faded?

The truth is, holding back is often a form of self-protection.

You’re trying to control how your effort, your creativity, your love will be received.

We want it to be safe, palatable, the right kind of bold. But the thing is, bold doesn’t wait. Authenticity doesn’t hold back. When you start living every day like it’s your last, it’s not about being reckless — it’s about being real.

And being real means letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfectly timed or expertly crafted. It means showing up with all you’ve got, not because it’s guaranteed to succeed but because you deserve to take up space and share your voice. The more you wait, the more you build a habit of playing small, of diluting yourself to fit some imagined version of “enough.”

You don’t owe the world a polished version of yourself. You owe yourself the freedom to show up as you are, without holding back, without waiting for some imagined future where everything aligns. Life isn’t waiting for you to feel ready.

When you start using every ounce of what you have right now, it doesn’t just change your life — it changes you. You become braver, more present, more willing to make mistakes. You realize that it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being you, messy, fully and unapologetically.

[3 QUESTIONS ]

1. What would it look like if you used every ounce of what you have?

2. What’s one thing you’ve been holding back on because you’re waiting for a “better” time?

3. What’s an outfit, hairstyle or look that you’ve been ‘saving for another day’? Why are you waiting to feel good?

[A DARE]

This week I dare you to:

Use every ounce of what you have, right now.

Whatever it is - could be work, relationships, therapy, what you wear to that next event - GO ALL IN.

Show up fully, without holding back. Don't wait for the 'right' moment. Make this moment the one where you bring everything you’ve got.

Imagine the person you’d become if that’s how you always showed up?

So, Thursday marked my 32nd year around the sun (happy birthday to me 🎂).

I know you’re not meant to share birthday wishes, but I’m not sure what the policy is on emailing them… a big wish of mine for this next year is growing this newsletter community. It’s truly one of my favourite parts of my work.

Soooooo, if you’re feeling generous and want to get me a lil birthday gift - my only ask would be sharing this with a friend or two who you think might appreciate it too.

They can »> Sign up here «<

I really do give all the ounces of me to these emails, so the more people I can share it with, the better! Every extra “subscribe” really does help.

See you on a Sunday!

L