You know that feeling when something doesn’t go the way you thought it would—and it hits harder than you'd like?

In this episode, we’re talking about expectations—how they show up in everything from travel plans to dentist appointments to your everyday to-do list, and how they quietly shape your entire experience.

We share real-life examples (including a very competitive 97-year-old card player, a not-so-fun dental visit, and the ups and downs of modern air travel) to explore why expectations can leave us feeling disappointed—or pleasantly surprised.

And we talk about what actually helps when your expectations aren't supporting you: finding a middle ground that’s realistic, a little more flexible, and a lot more forgiving.

02:57 – How expectations shape experiences (travel is a great example!)

04:20 – How outside negativity influences what we expect

05:01 – The gap between expectations and reality—and why it feels so bad

06:51 – Finding a middle ground between expecting the worst and expecting perfection

07:09 – Anxiety in new situations

09:57 – When expectations stop us from doing things we might enjoy

13:22 – Expectations as the lens for how we experience everything

14:05 – Noticing and loosening expectations

16:27 – Letting your values guide more realistic expectations

20:00 – Daily expectations and using “minimums” to feel successful

• Expectations are always there—even when you’re not consciously aware of them.
• The bigger the gap between what you expect and what happens, the harder it feels.
• Expecting the worst might protect you from disappointment—but it can make the lead-up miserable.
• How a flexible, realistic expectation (“this might be uncomfortable, and I’ll be okay”) works better.
• Planning for a little friction—like long TSA lines or no snacks on a flight—can make things feel surprisingly easier.
• Setting a low “minimum” for your day helps you feel successful instead of behind.

Life tends to feel better when your expectations are a little looser and a little kinder.

Not perfect. Not worst-case. Just realistic enough to hold the day—and leave room for things to go better than expected.

• Watch the episode on YouTube!

Episode 4: Self-Talk

The way we talk to ourselves shapes what we expect from our days, our efforts, and ourselves. In this episode, we explore negative self-talk and how shifting that inner voice can make life feel a little lighter and a lot more doable.

Episode 99: Playing the Long Game

This one pairs well with today’s conversation about loosening expectations. We talk about tolerating imperfection, staying with things even when they feel uncomfortable, and how taking a longer view can ease some of the pressure to get everything right right now.

Episode 251: Start Simple

If your expectations tend to make things feel bigger, harder, or more complicated than they need to be, this episode is a great companion. We talk about starting simply, letting go of overplanning, and making it easier to begin.

How does this show up in your life? What helps—even just a little?

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

And if you know someone who could use this conversation, please send it their way.

Imposter syndrome can show up when we’re comparing ourselves to other people, trying to be perfect, or worrying we’ll be judged and “found out.” In this episode, we talk about how imposter syndrome has shifted for us with age and experience—and why authenticity helps so much.

We dig into how social media is curated (and built to work with the algorithm), why it’s such a trap to compare your real life to someone else’s highlight reel, and how perfectionism can turn into a shackle. We also share a few practical, good-enough ways to loosen imposter syndrome’s grip: letting ourselves be new at something, giving ourselves permission to say “I don’t know (yet),” and remembering that most people aren’t paying as much attention to us as we think.

1. 01:49 - Why we’re talking about imposter syndrome: How it changes with age, experience, and caring less what people think
2. 02:20 - Authenticity vs. “fake it till you make it”: Showing up as ourselves and being honest about what we do (and don’t) know
3. 04:19 - Shannon’s coaching imposter syndrome: Feeling siloed, not knowing how we “stack up,” even with lots of client success
4. 06:09 - When the thought has nothing to grab onto: How imposter syndrome fades faster when we’re not fretting about judgment
5. 07:40 - Janine on enjoying being new: Volunteering with experienced people, making mistakes, and not being self-conscious about it
6. 12:00 - What fuels imposter syndrome: Perfectionism, “should” thinking, and comparing ourselves to other people
7. 13:34 - “Don’t compare your insides to other people’s outsides”: Social media is curated for attention and the algorithm, not reality
8. 15:48 - The power of “I don’t know”: Letting ourselves struggle, learn, and find out—without pretending
9. 17:02 - “Nobody is paying as much attention to you as you are”: And if someone is judging us… why do we care?
10. 18:18 - The survival brain piece: Why fear of judgment makes sense—and why it usually isn’t actually dangerous now

1. Authenticity is a real relief: When we show up as ourselves—knowing what we know and admitting what we don’t—there’s less room for that “I’m a fraud” feeling to take hold.
2. Perfectionism and comparison feed imposter syndrome: When we think we should be doing more or doing it perfectly, it’s easy to feel like we’re failing—even when we’re doing our best.
3. Social media is curated, not the full truth: It’s designed to attract attention and work with the algorithm, so it’s not a fair (or helpful) comparison point.
4. Being new can be freeing: If we let ourselves be beginners, we don’t have to perform expertise we don’t have yet. Learning mode is gentler than proving mode.
5. Fear of judgment is loud—but usually not accurate: Most people are wrapped up in their own thoughts. And even if someone is judging, that’s about them—not our worth.

Imposter syndrome thrives on perfectionism, comparison, and fear of judgment—but it loses power when we let ourselves be human. The more we practice authenticity, let ourselves be new, and remember that other people’s opinions aren’t a threat to our safety, the easier it gets to move through that “what if they find out?” feeling.

Listener Action: This week, pick one place you’ve been feeling “not enough,” and try one small, honest sentence: “I’m new at this,” or “I don’t know yet, but I can find out.” Then notice what shifts when you stop trying to prove yourself.

• YouTube link - Watch the conversation on YouTube!

1. Episode 120: Sneaky Perfectionism — If imposter syndrome tends to show up as “I should be able to do this perfectly (or not at all),” this one will feel very familiar. We talk about how perfectionism hides in plain sight and how “good enough” can help you move forward anyway.
2. Episode 125: Authenticity — We dig into why trying to look perfect is exhausting, and how being more real (even about the messy parts) can actually make life easier. It’s a great companion to this episode’s reminder that honesty beats pretending.
3. Episode 192: Letting Go of Judgment — Imposter syndrome loves judgment—especially the kind we aim at ourselves. In this episode, we talk about easing up on self-criticism and practicing the kind of compassion we’d offer a friend.

If imposter syndrome shows up for you, we’d love to hear about it—what triggers it, and what helps you move through it.

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

In this episode, we’re talking about imperfect fitness—the kind where you don’t have to do it perfectly to keep going. We share why having a clear goal can make exercise feel so much more doable (and honestly, more fun), especially if perfectionism tends to make you freeze up or quit.

Shannon tells Janine about signing up for the Oslo Marathon 10K happening in September while she's traveling in Scandinavia, and how that race date is giving her a real reason to get back into running after shoulder surgery. Janine shares her own goal: being able to walk up 35 flights of stairs to her apartment—and how a simple, “one flight at a time” plan (plus permission to take breaks) is helping her build stamina without turning it into a perfectionism project.

1. 01:15 - Signing up for the Oslo 10K (September 12): How a race on a trip to Norway creates a clear training goal
2. 02:51 - Getting back to running after shoulder surgery: Starting over with run/walk and rebuilding motivation
3. 04:11 - Why Shannon wants longer runs (not just a 5K)
4. 07:42 - Janine’s fitness goal: walking up 35 flights of stairs
5. 08:07 - Building a simple plan (and tracking it)
6. 12:07 - Permission to pause without quitting: Planning stops and noticing that “easier” can actually help you finish stronger
7. 15:37 - Using Zombies, Run! for motivation: Story-based runs, optional zombie chases, and making training feel fun
8. 19:43 - Keeping the pressure low with a “good enough” plan

1. A purpose makes consistency easier: When we’re training for something—a race date, a trip, a milestone—it’s easier to keep showing up than when we’re just trying to “exercise more.”
2. Good enough reduces perfectionism pressure: Knowing Shannon can walk the 10K within the 1:45 time limit takes the stakes down, which makes it easier to keep moving forward.
3. Make the plan doable—and give yourself permission to adjust: Janine’s “one more flight per week” approach keeps the goal realistic, and building in extra stops helps her stay steady instead of pushing too hard.
4. Fun is allowed (and it counts): A motivating event, a playful app, or a little adventure can be a real part of building a habit.

When it comes to fitness, perfectionism can whisper that it only counts if we do it the “right” way—or that we should wait until we feel more ready, more motivated, more consistent. But for us, the magic is usually simpler: a clear goal, a doable plan, and permission to make it easier when we need to.

Listener Action: Choose one small fitness goal with a reason attached (a date, a destination, a milestone). Then pick one “good enough” step you can take this week—something you could still do on a low-energy day.

Episode 21: Know Your Why If you’re trying to figure out what actually motivates you (and what doesn’t), we talk about getting clear on your values—your “why”—so “good enough” gets a whole lot easier.

Episode 22: Creating Helpful Habits If you’re building consistency from scratch, we’ve got you. We talk about why habits matter, why they’re hard, and how a good-enough mindset (hello, teeny tiny steps) can help you create routines that actually stick.

Episode 32: Self Care If movement, rest, and self-care get tangled up with “shoulds,” we’ve been there. We talk about what self-care means (it’s different for everyone), and Shannon shares an idea for making exercise feel more like self-care—even when it usually doesn’t.

Working toward a fitness goal right now—and noticing perfectionism getting involved?

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

• YouTube link - If you'd like to watch the conversation, click here!

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

Do you have a tiny annoyance you keep living with—like gunk on your iPad screen, dirty glasses, or something around the house that almost works but not quite? In this episode, we talk about tolerations: those little everyday frustrations we tell ourselves aren’t worth dealing with… even though they keep charging us a fee in irritation and mental energy.

We also touch on how perfectionism can sneak in here—when we tell ourselves we have to do something the “right” way (with the “right” supplies) or not bother at all. We share a bunch of real-life examples (including one very satisfying vacuum “shim” and a WD-40 moment we’re still proud of), plus an easy way to spot your own tolerations and knock them down in small, good-enough steps.

1. 02:27 – The “gunk on the iPad” toleration: how not cleaning it becomes a recurring energy drain
2. 03:33 – When a tiny task feels like a big job: the story we tell ourselves about needing the “right” supplies
3. 05:03 – A satisfying quick fix: shimming a vacuum wand with folded cardboard (and why it feels so good)
4. 06:18 – Fixing a long-term tech annoyance: the Mac dock that jumps monitors, and the simple downloadable solution
5. 09:13 – The hidden cost of small discomfort: how daily friction wears on us over time
6. 10:42 – Keys, clutter, and systems: simplifying a too-full key setup and creating a lock box for rarely-used keys
7. 16:17 – The “just one thing” solution: how removing just one coat can make a cramped closet feel easier
8. 18:34 – Turning a small fix into a big project: when “I could blog about it” makes it harder to start
9. 19:08 – The tolerations list idea: making a list, tackling it 5–10 minutes at a time, and enjoying the wins
10. 21:53 – The WD-40 effect: how one fix makes future fixes easier (and why it only takes a few minutes)
11. 22:23 – Listener challenge: what are you going to “WD-40” in your life this week?

1. Tolerations have a hidden cost: Even small annoyances take energy—every time we notice them, avoid them, or think about fixing them.
2. Good-enough fixes are often enough: We don’t have to do it perfectly. A quick wipe, a simple workaround, or a small system tweak can make life smoother.
3. Small wins keep paying you back: Fix something once, and you get a little hit of satisfaction every time you use it afterward.
4. Reduce friction in the places you touch every day: Keys, coats, cables, drawers—tiny improvements in high-traffic spots can make your whole day feel easier.
5. Make a “tolerations list” and work it in short bursts: When we write them down, those semi-subliminal annoyances become visible—and way more doable.

Tolerations are sneaky. They seem too small to bother with, but they can take up way more energy than we realize. The good news is that a lot of them don’t require a big overhaul—just a quick, good-enough fix that makes things quieter, smoother, and less annoying.

Listener Action: Pick one toleration and make it 20% better this week. Set a timer for 10 minutes, do what you can, and then notice how it feels the next time you run into that thing.

Episode 63: Tolerations If you've been around for awhile, you'll know we’ve been talking about tolerations for a long time. In this version, we dig more into what tolerations are, why they drain our energy, and how to address them without letting perfectionism run the show.

Episode 90: Acting on Good Impulses If you ever have that quick “I should just take care of that” thought and then ignore it, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about noticing those good impulses and acting on them while they’re fresh—so small annoyances don’t keep hanging around and draining your energy.

Episode 153: Helping Your Future Self When we do a small thing now, future-us gets a little gift—and present-us gets a little relief. We talk about strategies for letting go of perfectionism and taking action in ways your future self will genuinely thank you for.

• Watch the episode on YouTube - If you'd like to see the conversation hop on over to YouTube

What are you going to “WD-40” in your life this week?

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

Do you ever tell yourself you’ll relax after you finish one more thing—then somehow you don’t relax and you don’t finish the thing? In this episode, we talk about the “I’ll feel better when…” trap: waiting for the perfect weather, the organized house, the cleared inbox, or the magical moment when everything is finally done.

We look at how this shows up in everyday life (like skipping a walk because we’re “too busy,” or staying home to get organized and then not doing it), and we share a simple shift that helps: treating rest and enjoyment as part of the plan, not a reward you have to earn.

1. 03:45 - Waiting to feel good until conditions change Weather as a stand-in for “I’ll be happier when…” and how we put off enjoying ourselves.
2. 04:14 - The “perfect conditions” problem (gardening example) Waiting too long for the right moment can mean missing the chance to do what helps things grow.
3. 05:08 - Skipping fun to “get organized”… and doing neither The familiar loop: we cancel the enjoyable thing, then can’t face the task either.
4. 06:14 - Rest first, then do the thing How taking a real break can give us the brain power to come back and actually do the task.
5. 07:06 - “I’ll do that after I retire” (the bigger version) Why waiting for “someday” can be risky—and why doing what matters while we can matters.
6. 09:06 - The moving finish line The task we’re waiting to finish keeps changing, and many “maintenance” tasks never stay done.
7. 10:09 - Downtime is part of the recipe Why relaxation and sleep can’t always be the thing that gets pushed off.
8. 11:51 - A practical tactic: track “get out of the apartment” Using a simple habit tracker as a reminder to change environment (like getting out without Bix).
9. 14:30 - Staying present instead of screen-hopping A small practice during short waits online: breathe, stay put, and don’t derail yourself.

1. Rest isn’t a reward—it’s fuel When we’re exhausted, real rest can be what makes the next step possible.
2. “I’ll relax after…” is usually a moving target If we tie enjoyment to being “done,” we can end up postponing it forever.
3. Do the small version now We don’t have to wait for retirement or a perfect season—sometimes it’s as simple as taking the walk today.
4. Build enjoyment into the system A tiny tracker or reminder can help us actually do the things that support our energy and well-being.
5. Presence prevents the productivity spiral Staying with the moment can save mental energy and make it easier to return to what we were doing.

If we keep telling ourselves we’ll feel good after we finish the next thing, we can get stuck in a loop where we don’t finish the thing and we don’t feel good either. Downtime isn’t something we earn once life is perfect—it’s part of how we live with more ease, and it can actually make it easier to do what needs doing.

Listener Action: Choose one small “reset” you can do before you’re completely done—take a 10-minute walk, work somewhere different for a bit, or step outside and look at something far away. Then notice: does doing the next thing feel even a little easier?

1. Episode 61: You’re Not Behind - A strong companion to today’s “I’ll relax after…” trap—especially if the pressure comes from feeling behind.
2. Episode 92: Working Through a Backlog - If your “after” is tied to a backlog, this one keeps it practical—how to move forward without turning it into a perfectionism project.
3. Episode 170: Give Yourself Credit - Perfect if your finish line keeps moving—this helps you count what’s done so you’re not always waiting to feel “done enough.”

If you’re someone who postpones enjoyment until you “get to the thing,” you’re not alone—and we’d love to hear what this looks like for you.

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

Sometimes a productivity system can be great… until it suddenly isn’t. In this episode, we talk about what to do when your usual way of getting things done starts to feel stale, frustrating, or just not effective anymore—especially after a big life change.

We chat about why it’s normal for tools and routines to stop working, how novelty and “reward” can help you re-enter real life after a chaotic season, and a few playful ways to shake things up (including Shannon’s plan to try to-do list bingo). If you’ve been thinking, “But this system should work—what’s wrong with me?” we’re here to gently remind you: probably nothing.

1. 01:04 — That “chaos slash nothing” season, and why getting back in the swing is hard
2. 02:13 — To-do list bingo as a way to make tasks feel fun again
3. 03:32 — When a “good system” stops working, digging in your heels can keep you stuck
4. 04:32 — Shannon’s hybrid planning setup (bullet journal + Todoist + calendar) and why redundancy helps
5. 06:10 — Keeping the bingo board inside the bullet journal (so it’s not “one more tool”)
6. 08:28 — Janine’s Trello era, novelty, and the motivational power of confetti
7. 10:16 — Bullet journaling through hard seasons and why flexibility matters
8. 13:02 — Mark Forster’s “Do It Tomorrow” / Autofocus: the premise matters more than the rules
9. 19:44 — Re-entry after shoulder surgery: sometimes you need extra reward to restart momentum

1. When a productivity system stops working, it’s information—not failure If something that used to help you suddenly doesn’t, it doesn’t mean you failed. It may just mean your life changed and your system needs to change with it.
2. A temporary reset can restart momentum You don’t have to overhaul everything. Sometimes a short-term experiment (like to-do list bingo) is enough to make things feel doable again.
3. Small rewards can help you follow through Confetti, bingo, tiny celebrations—if they help you take action, they count.
4. Redundancy isn’t always wasted effort If rewriting plans helps you remember, visualize your week, or feel more grounded, it can be worth the extra step.
5. The “holy grail” of productivity is a myth You can find something that works really well—and still expect it to evolve as your needs and seasons change.

The big message here is simple: if your current productivity system isn’t working, you don’t have to force it—or blame yourself. Life changes, your energy changes, and what used to fit might need an update. Sometimes the most “good enough” move is to try a playful tweak (like to-do list bingo), borrow a little novelty, and give yourself permission to experiment.

Listener Action: Pick one small way to “shake up” your current system this week—something that adds a tiny bit of novelty or reward (a bingo square, a mini challenge, a new way to write your list)—and notice what changes.

Episode 6: Task Management We get delightfully nerdy about task management and the tools we’ve tried over the years—Mark Forster’s systems, Todoist, Post-it® Notes, and why writing things down can make life feel so much easier.

Episode 61: You’re Not Behind If you stress about feeling behind, this episode offers a kinder reframe: “behind” can be a signal to step back, reassess what matters, and set up a more reasonable way to keep up.

Episode 93: Preventing Pileups A practical follow-up for when your system needs an update: strategies for creating systems (especially for email and paper) so backlogs don’t keep coming back.

• YouTube link - Watch the conversation on YouTube!

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

When life feels tight or difficult, it’s easy to focus on what’s not going right. In this episode, we talk about how celebrating small wins—even the silly, ridiculous ones—can support motivation, build self-compassion, and help us practice progress over perfection.

We share real-life examples (like Shannon’s surprise “lip balm shot” into the trash, a stress-free elevator ride, and surviving a truly unpleasant parking garage) and explore why non-zero effort matters. The more we notice what’s going right, the more we can create a little ease and momentum—especially when we’re not finishing everything all at once.

1. 00:38 — Why it helps to celebrate little things when life feels tight or difficult
2. 01:29 — Shannon’s “lip balm shot” into the trash—and celebrating it like a center-court basket
3. 02:46 — Celebrating the absence of a problem: a non-stop elevator ride when a dog encounter could have been stressful
4. 03:40 — Noticing when things go as expected—and letting that count as a win
5. 05:30 — Small wins as a “buffer” that helps us handle obstacles without getting knocked down as far
6. 06:00 — The parking garage story: building in extra time to reduce stress, then celebrating “nothing bad happened”
7. 07:10 — When progress doesn’t “count” because we didn’t finish—remembering non-zero effort matters
8. 10:38 — The motivation myth: believing we have to be hard on ourselves to keep going
9. 11:53 — Anchoring feeling good to progress: celebrating small wins as a way to rewire the pattern
10. 16:22 — Holding two truths: celebrating small wins while still caring about what’s happening in the world

1. Small wins support progress over perfection: When things feel hard, noticing what did go right helps us step out of the “nothing is enough” mindset.
2. Non-zero effort is real progress: If you took one step—even a small one—it counts, even if the whole thing isn’t finished yet.
3. Self-compassion fuels motivation: Being hard on ourselves can make action harder. Celebrating success (even tiny success) makes it easier to keep going.
4. Small wins create a buffer for tough moments: When we’re already a little “buoyed up,” setbacks don’t knock us down as far.
5. Celebration isn’t silly—it’s practical: Cheering yourself on can help reinforce the habit of taking action and build momentum over time.

Celebrating small wins isn’t about pretending everything is fine—it’s about giving yourself a practical boost when life is hard. When we practice noticing what’s going right (including the “nothing went wrong” moments), we feel better. And when we feel better, it’s easier to take action, stay motivated, and keep choosing progress over perfection.

Listener Action: This week, choose one small win each day—something you usually wouldn’t count—and name it out loud (to yourself or someone else). Then take five seconds to actually celebrate it.

• YouTube link - Click here to watch the conversation on YouTube!

Episode 2: Rewards A true back-catalog throwback on rewarding yourself for progress (not perfection)—and how celebrating steps along the way helps you stay motivated (without the “I have to suffer to succeed” vibe).

41: Can It Be Too Easy? If you tend to dismiss wins that feel “too easy” (or too small to count), this episode is a great reminder that ease is allowed—and that letting things be easier can help you keep moving.

Episode 170: Give Yourself Credit If you tend to move the goalposts and only feel “done” when everything is finished, this episode is a gentle nudge to notice what you’ve already done—and to practice giving yourself that internal pat on the back.

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

What if your hobbies could be the one place you don’t have to optimize, be productive, or “do it right”? In this episode, we talk about keeping hobbies fun—especially when perfectionism shows up and makes us hesitate to start, abandon a project, or turn enjoyment into pressure.

We share real-life examples from knitting, bullet journaling, visible mending, watercolor and sketchbooks, and even reading. We also talk about how tracking and goals can quietly turn a relaxing hobby into a stressful one, and how lowering the stakes can help us get back to the point: doing something because it feels good.

What We Talk About

1. 02:46 - When hobbies get “too fiddly,” perfectionism can make us quit Janine finds abandoned knitting projects and talks about how frustration (and not wanting to back up and fix mistakes) can stop us from continuing.
2. 04:05 - A mistake doesn’t have to mean you’re done Janine shares a “rookie mistake” on her hat, then unknits and keeps going.
3. 04:38 - The fear of “ruining it” can keep us from starting Shannon talks about not wanting to mess up a sketchbook or watercolor journal with something that doesn’t feel good enough.
4. 07:40 - Bullet journaling: functional vs. Instagram-perfect We talk about how artistic bullet journal examples can intimidate people, even though the original method was meant to be quick and simple.
5. 09:10 - Visible mending: daunting to start, satisfying to finish We talk about the pressure to choose the “right” way to mend—and how gratifying it feels once we do it.
6. 15:33 - When reading becomes a numbers game Shannon shares how tracking books read started to create stress, especially during shoulder recovery.
7. 18:56 - Protecting hobbies from becoming work Janine shares why she said no to a knitting-related work opportunity so knitting could stay fun.

Key Takeaways

1. Perfectionism can sneak into the fun stuff: Even hobbies can start to feel like performance—especially when we think there’s a “right way” to do them.
2. Lower stakes = easier starts: When something is private, practical, or “just for us,” it’s often easier to experiment and keep going.
3. Functional can be beautiful: A bullet journal that works, a sweater that’s patched, a project that’s imperfect but used—these can be more satisfying than “perfect” things we never start.
4. Tracking can turn joy into pressure: Goals and numbers can be motivating… until they make the hobby feel like a quota.
5. Let hobbies stay hobbies: If turning something into work adds stress, it can cancel out the reason to do it in the first place.

The Bottom Line

Hobbies are allowed to be messy, imperfect, and purely for enjoyment. When we treat them like something to prove—something to perfect, optimize, or keep score on—we lose the ease we were looking for.

Listener Action: Choose one hobby you’ve been avoiding (or overthinking) and do a 10-minute “good enough” version this week. No fixing, no optimizing, no making it look impressive—just do it for the simple joy of doing it.

• YouTube link - Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Want More Like This?

1. Episode 35: Hobbies Our first big conversastion about hobbies and how perfectionism can get in the way of starting or enjoying them. We talk about our hobbies (and attempted hobbies) and share strategies for getting past perfectionism so you can actually enjoy what you’re doing.
2. Episode 236: How to Start a New Adventure Starting something new can bring up all kinds of perfectionist feelings, so we talk about how to begin without needing a flawless plan. If your hobby hesitation is really “fear of starting,” this one will help.
3. Episode 243: Are We Having Fun Yet? We laugh our way through a conversation about how we prioritize fun and add more joy to everyday life. If you’re craving a reminder that fun is allowed (and actually matters), this one’s a great listen

Connect With Us

If this episode had you thinking about your own hobbies (or your own perfectionism), we’d love to hear from you.

• Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
• Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

Multitasking sounds like a superpower, but most of the time it’s really task switching—jumping back and forth so fast we don’t notice the cost. In this episode, we talk about the difference between true multitasking and rapid switching, and why switching can make you less effective, less productive, and less present.

We also share a few real-life examples (knitting while watching TV, exercising with an audiobook, checking email mid-writing) and a simple “Good Enough” experiment: using tiny waiting moments—like a login screen—as a cue to take a few breaths and come back to what you’re doing.

1. 01:28 — When multitasking can work: knitting while watching TV (and why writing postcards while watching is different).
2. 03:33 — A combo that often works: physical tasks (folding laundry, exercising) while listening to an audiobook (or podcast!).
3. 04:29 — Why switching tasks can make you less productive than single-tasking.
4. 05:47 — The “attention test”: if both tasks need brain power (like sorting and chatting), something gets missed.
5. 06:45 — Phone + conversation: noticing how it affects connection, and small ways to be more present with people.
6. 10:22 — The “lag reflex”: switching away during a short wait (like logging into a bank) and getting pulled into email or Facebook.
7. 11:08 — A simple strategy: practice staying with a few seconds of discomfort so you can finish the task.
8. 13:01 — Meditation explained in plain terms: not “no thoughts,” but returning to your focus.
9. 14:42 — Anchoring mindfulness to your desk chair: building calm where you actually work.
10. 15:44 — Shannon shares how ADHD can amplify distraction and unfinished tasks (especially off meds).
11. 17:13 — Reframing single-tasking as self-care: more calm, more “done,” and less stress.

1. Most multitasking is really task switching: If you’re bouncing between email, a document, and social media, you’re not doing three things at once—you’re switching. And switching often makes everything take longer.
2. Some pairings can be “good enough” multitasking: If one task is automatic or physical (like knitting, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, brushing your teeth), it may pair well with listening.
3. If both tasks require attention, you’ll feel scattered: Sorting, writing, and meaningful conversations all need focus. Trying to stack them usually means you’re only half there.
4. Use waiting moments as a mindfulness cue: Instead of opening Facebook during a 10-second pause, try three slow breaths or counting breaths until the page loads.
5. Single-tasking is self-care (and it feels better): Finishing one thing at a time can lower stress and give you that satisfying sense of completion.

Multitasking promises efficiency, but for most of us it’s really rapid, less efficient task switching—and it can leave you feeling scattered and less present. A “Good Enough” approach is choosing one thing at a time more often, and using tiny pauses to return to your focus.

Listener Action: Choose one “waiting moment” this week (like logging into a website). Instead of switching to email or social media, take 3 slow breaths and gently bring your attention back to the task in front of you.

• YouTube link - Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Episode 26: Multitasking If multitasking is your default setting (and it sometimes works… until it doesn’t), this is our original episode on the subject. We talk about why multitasking feels productive, when it can actually be fine, and when it’s really just task switching that leaves you more frazzled than finished.

Episode 27: The Thrill of Done You know that satisfying feeling when you finish something and it stops taking up space in your brain? This episode is all about that. We share simple ways to make “done” easier to reach—especially if perfectionism tends to move the finish line.

Episode 84: Overthinking The multitasking may be coming from inside your brain! If your brain likes to keep running the same thought loop, you’re not alone. We talk about how overthinking sneaks in (especially with perfectionist tendencies), and how to step out of the spin cycle and into the next small, doable action.

We’d love to hear what multitasking looks like in your real life—and what happens when you try single-tasking instead. Leave us a voicemail at 413-424-GTGE (4843) or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @gettingtogoodenough.

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like when what’s happening in the world takes up more of our bandwidth than we realize—and how that can show up as low energy, stress, and doomscrolling.

We remind ourselves that even when we’re not personally in immediate danger, it still takes real energy to be in the world right now. So we explore a good-enough approach: set kind-but-firm boundaries around news and social media, calm your nervous system first, and then choose one small action you can actually sustain.

1. 00:45 - Feeling overwhelmed and “maxed out,” and naming the nervous system impact
2. 01:10 - Remembering to factor in what’s happening in the world (on top of personal stressors)
3. 02:43 - How external stress compresses our capacity and bandwidth—even if we’re not directly threatened
4. 03:51 - The push-pull of wanting to stay informed without getting pulled into constant news consumption
5. 05:34 - Creating a container for the news: skim headlines, read one article, or set a 15-minute timer
6. 06:57 - Choosing your inputs on purpose: unfollowing/unfriending and skipping online arguments that won’t lead to real dialogue
7. 10:37 - Taking action to feel less helpless: donating, writing postcards, protesting, and focusing your energy where it can matter
8. 12:53 - Not letting perfectionism hijack activism: it’s not all-or-nothing, and “doing a little” still counts
9. 14:26 - Connection over consumption: reaching out to friends and checking in instead of scrolling
10. 16:23 - “Oxygen mask first”: calming your nervous system makes it easier to take meaningful action and help others

1. External stress is real stress: Even if nothing in your personal life changed, what’s happening in the world can shrink your capacity.
2. Set boundaries so you can stay informed (without spiraling): A small “container”—headlines only, one article, or a timer—helps you avoid doomscrolling.
3. Curate your inputs like it’s self-care: Unfollowing, unfriending, and choosing what you engage with can protect your nervous system.
4. Small actions beat perfectionism: Donating, writing postcards, protesting, or helping in your community doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.
5. Calm first, then act: When you feel steadier, it’s easier to take meaningful action.

When everything feels like too much, it makes sense that your energy is lower and your brain wants to scroll, worry, or shut down. In this episode, we remind ourselves that we can care and protect our nervous systems: set a boundary around what you take in, then choose one small action that helps you feel less helpless—without letting perfectionism turn it into a moral test.

Listener Action: This week, pick one boundary (like a 15-minute news timer or “one article only”) and one small action (text a friend to check in, donate a few dollars, write one postcard, etc.). Good enough counts.

• Watch the episode on YouTube - You can watch us have this conversation on YouTube, if you'd like.
• Ben Sheehan, host of Civics Made Easy, on Instagram: Calling members of Congress WORKS. With such thin majorities for the GOP you’d only need to convince a handful of members to vote across the aisle — and we’ve already seen that happen this year. Don’t let anyone tell you that pressure doesn’t work - we’ve already seen proof that it does. And if you’re concerned about ICE, you might wanna call your Democratic members of the Senate and tell them to force changes to the agency in exchange for their vote — or even withhold their vote to temporarily shut down ICE.
• Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress

If you try a good-enough boundary or a small action this week, we’d love to hear what you chose.

Leave us a voicemail at 413-424-GTGE (4843) or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @gettingtogoodenough. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, and rating or reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

1. Episode 107: Balancing Discomfort — This episode is from a moment when there was a lot happening in the world, and we talk about how to hold the discomfort and keep moving forward. We share what helped us stay grounded, and how taking one small step can be more sustainable than trying to do everything at once.
2. Episode 108: Ready to Vote? — If voting has ever felt oddly stressful—like you need to do it perfectly or you’ll mess it up—this episode will feel familiar. We get practical about making a simple plan, shrinking the dread, and following through.
3. Episode 264: How to Enjoy Social Media Again — This is the social media episode we mention in today’s conversation. We dig into comparisonitis, doomscrolling, and some very doable ways to curate your feed and set boundaries so you can stay connected without feeling consumed.