I have been driving a lot recently, which isn’t always the case for someone like me who lives in an urban area. Yesterday, as I was driving home up the NJ Turnpike, I was well aware of both the gas and the brake peddle. As I entered the turnpike, the “Cars Only” lane was closed so we were all funneled into the “Trucks and Cars.” It was a lot of traffic, all of which was moving, but there was no room for error and there was a lot of jockeying for position. And thus, gas-brake, gas-brake was the status quo for everyone.

“Gas-brake,” is a great metaphor for December. Remembering that you have both, gas-brake, is really important. Some will enter December thinking they only have a gas peddle, stepping down on that thing on Dec 1 and not letting up, regardless of the “damage,” to self or others. It’s the “I have to get this done” mentality. I get it because I can very often be the “gas only” wife, mother, and worker.

But yesterday I realized the need for the brake for myself and others. The brake peddle is all about self care, while the gas peddle is often about myself and others. If I had only chosen to use the gas peddle yesterday, it would not have ended well. It was the awareness that I had to use BOTH and the knowledge of when one was more appropriate then the other that made the journey exciting, fun, and sustainable. January is going to be a big “gas peddle” month, so notice now when you should be applying the brake. And just like driving, no one on the road is going to tell you to brake (although your passenger may), you have to be aware of when it is needed for you.

Let’s GO! WE GOT THIS!
Beth