Today's episode is the final part of our Best Lessons of the Year series, and it's dedicated to the part of you that's exhausted trying to figure it all out… because some seasons don't come with clean answers (rude).

In this episode, we talk about surrendering the outcome—not in a giving up kind of way, but in a coming back to life as it is kind of way. You'll hear a powerful perspective from Dr. Tasha Faruqui on living in the gray when even science doesn't have the answers. And then I'll walk you through practical "anchors for your energy"—small, doable supports you can return to when you're depleted, overwhelmed, or stuck living for "after."

If you've been telling yourself, "Once things calm down, then I'll breathe," this is your gentle reminder: you don't have to wait for life to be fully resolved to feel a moment of peace.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why "after" can drive survival-mode

• What it means to surrender control without surrendering hope

• How uncertainty can drain your energy (and how to reclaim it)

• Choosing joy intentionally (without forcing toxic positivity)

• Anchors for your energy: small practices that stabilize you during turbulence

Quotes to remember:

• "Some seasons don't come with clean answers."

• "Surrendering the outcome doesn't mean surrendering your hope."

• "Joy often doesn't arrive… it's something we pursue."

• "Burnout isn't a symptom of failure. It's a symptom of fatigue."

Key takeaways:

• Surrender = reclaiming energy you were spending trying to control what you can't.

• Joy can be a practice, not a mood you wait for.

• Anchors create stability in turbulence—pick one kind thing and return to it.

• A "one-degree shift" today can change how you land later.

Your gentle invitation for the week:

Pick one anchor: a walk outside, a one-minute pause, water before coffee, a phone boundary, or one brave little no. Try it. Keep it kind. Let it count.

Full episodes from today's clips:

• https://youtu.be/EvzEljacc08

• https://youtu.be/L-TvYBPKAso

Mentioned:

Sarah's Substack (recipes + joy + your new secret ingredient): https://substack.com/@activepalate?r=1sx5ib&utm_medium=ios

Free meditation gift from Danielle: https://danielleireland.com/free

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Connect with Danielle:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DontCutYourOwnBangs Website: https://danielleireland.com Substack: https://danielleireland.substack.com The Treasured Journal: https://danielleireland.com/journal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontcutyourownbangs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleireland.LCSW TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontcutyourownbangspod