Have you become the CEO of stress?

Are you really building your dreams if the journey feels miserable?

Welcome to inspired idiots. If you’ve ever felt like you’re hustling your way to success, but the grind is stealing your joy, this one’s for you.👇🏻

Three years ago, I quit the 9–5 life to work for myself, expecting freedom and excitement. Instead, I became the CEO of my own stress: wake up, grind, gym, work, repeat.

I thought this was just what it took to build a business. But then my back forced me to rethink everything.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

For three years, I told myself that relentless hustle was the price of success. If I wasn’t progressing, then I was falling behind.

But even when I hit $16k months, that anxiety didn’t leave.

I’d stress about disliking what got me there. Then, when my income dipped again, I’d worry about money.

This wasn’t sustainable, but my only solution was, “Work harder. Figure it out.”

It was like I’d signed up for a full-time job in stressing—and forgot to negotiate a salary.

Then last Thursday, I woke up and couldn’t move. Pain shot down my leg like live wires.

The doc said I had a pinched sciatic nerve, and ordered me to “Do nothing. Lay on the couch as much as possible this weekend.”

So there I was, horizontal, crying into the couch cushions. I felt useless. Stuck. Like all my progress was slipping away.

But then I remembered something my coach, Stacey, said a couple weeks ago:

“Do you trust things will work out if you just believe they will?”

Nope! I thought I had to make them work. I’d lost touch with the part of me that enjoys the journey and believes in the process.

My aching back became the wake-up call I needed.

MASCULINE VS. FEMININE ENERGY IN LIFE

Sitting on the couch forced me to face an uncomfortable truth: The way I’ve been working isn’t working.

When I thought about my six-month $100k goal, I wasn’t imagining success. I was imagining how it would feel to fail.

Grinding harder wouldn’t fix that. What I needed was balance—a way to pursue my goals without losing myself.

So, I started exploring masculine vs. feminine energy.

• Masculine energy is about taking action, strategizing, and getting results.

• Feminine energy is about creativity, flow, and trusting the process.

For years, I’d been so deep in masculine energy that I’d lost touch with my fun, feminine side.

Until I had to stop and pay attention.

THE STRATEGY

Here’s what I’m changing to find balance:

1. Rest is part of the plan.
   Instead of treating rest as a reward, I’m building it into my life. When I finish my to-do list, I don’t start on tomorrow’s anymore.

   I make time for things that bring me joy—painting, yoga, or just relaxing.

2. Trust that progress doesn’t require perfection.
   I’m giving myself permission to make mistakes, take feedback, and adjust as I go. It’s all part of the journey to where I’m going!

3. The journey matters as much as the goal.
   I’m focusing on the joy of building something meaningful instead of obsessing over the “what ifs.” Because…what if it does work out?

WHY THIS WORKS

What’s the point of hustling every day just to feel nothing but burnout?

If you’re not enjoying the journey, then what’s it all for?

Masculine and feminine energy aren’t about gender — they’re universal forces we all carry.

When they’re balanced, life works. When they’re not, life smacks you with a sciatic nerve pinch.

TAKEAWAY

Ask yourself:

• What would it look like to work from a place of belief and abundance instead of fear and lack?

• Am I grinding myself into the ground—or building a life I actually want to live?

The next time you catch yourself sprinting to some imaginary finish line, take a breath. Remember why you started this in the first place.

If the journey is stealing your joy, maybe it’s time to rewrite the rules?

—

PS: Are you approaching life with a masculine energy, too?
Reply back and tell me what you think!

If you want to start holding yourself accountable to building your own real online business, join our free accountability group where we help you land your first client in 30 days!