Welcome to Living Well Daily, the newsletter serving up a daily dose of care designed to support you, cheer you on and remind you, always, just how wonderful you already are.

In Today’s Edition:

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Give yourself 1 compliment.
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Now our turn!
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You are a generous soul, you have helped many people in big and small ways; you make this world better by being in it and by being you!

^{In this series we explore common thinking patterns (cognitive biases) that can limit well-being and practice loosening its grip, to empower our thoughts, increase resilience, and live to the fullest.}

“Should,” “must,” and “have to” can sound motivating. But when rigid and constant, they often create guilt, shame, and unrealistic standards.

Should statements turn preferences into pressure. They can disconnect you from your actual needs and lock you into harsh internal rules. They can also reveal conditioning where we’re forcing ourselves into something not because we want it but because we thought we had to.

Over time, this thought pattern can drain motivation rather than build it. 

When we challenge “should” we open ourselves up to decide what we truly want and we can build a kinder relationship with ourselves build on support not obligation.

Common ways should statements limit us:
• 📋 Believing you should be further ahead in life
• ⏳ Thinking you must always be productive
• 🪞 Holding yourself to impossible emotional standards
• 🤝 Feeling guilty for setting boundaries
• 🧭 Comparing your timeline to someone else’s

Ways to soften rigid inner rules:
• 🔄 Replace “should” with “I’d prefer” or “I’d like to”
• 💬 Ask: Whose rule is this: mine or someone else’s? And, do I actually want this?
• 🌿 Consider your current capacity and context
• 💙 Allow flexibility when life shifts
• 🧠 Focus on values rather than rigid expectations

Healthy growth comes from guidance, not self-punishment.

✅ Action step: Notice one “should” today and rephrase it into a kinder, more flexible statement.

^{Love, Lola Graham}

The average adult sits for 6-10 hours a day. That can lead to feeling stiff and tight.

Here are 4 stretches you can do to help counteract the effects of sitting.

^{By: Joshua Graham}

^{A gentle invitation to integrate lived experience with kindness, perspective, and care.}

If this week were a chapter in your story, what would its title and core lesson be?

Before you go, let us know what you thought of today’s edition and if there are any subjects you would like us to cover in the future reply to this email and let us know!

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With love and care,

Lola & Joshua | The Living Well Team

^{Living Well Daily is for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitute for professional medical and mental health advice and diagnosis. Please consult a qualified professional for care unique to your needs.}

^{Remember: It’s okay to ask for help. Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (Canada & US).}