Inspired by a game I’ve been playing with my gas tank this year.

If abundance = having what we need when we need it… where could we gift that to ourselves proactively?

Adding a buffer to the baseline – in the gas tank, the savings account, the retirement account, the toilet paper or fave family cereal stash – helps quiet a lot of unnecessary survival noise.

It's a very practical (and underrated) form of self-care.

Example that sparked this field note: This year, I started refilling my gas tank closer to the halfway mark vs. waiting for the final 1/8th of a tank (or last 11 miles, with a car full of kids en route to or from school 🫠). Why do that to myself when filling up earlier is an option I'm grateful to have?

Aside from the first half-tank reset ($30ish max in Texas at the time), filling closer to half doesn’t actually cost more. It’s just more frequent, quicker stops.

But the margin I feel when I see my tank as more-than-half full gives me a little boost every time I notice it. ⚡️

That compounds.

Running on fumes happens. We know this.

And it’s not a moral failure.

I'm suggesting we reframe it as a math problem or a design challenge instead of a total surprise.

Some moments in life are genuinely out of our control. Sick kiddos (selves, parents, etc.). Unexpected job changes. Extreme weather.

Let’s save our “running on fumes” budget for those moments, and design more margin everywhere else while we can.

📮 Thoughts? Qs? Requests? Share with me here in the comment box >> onherterms.com/convo

❤️ Loving this episode? Tap the menu to share with a friend or three!

📱 Are we connected on IG? Join me there @nikkielledgebrown and tag me in a screenshot as you listen.

👑 Want my pro support in bringing your ideas to life while valuing your fam and your well-being? Click here to tell me more.

🎧 This private pod magic is made possible by Hello Audio.

(I'm obsessed. And an affiliate. >> nikkielledgebrown.com/helloaudio. 10/10 recommend.)