This tweet on finishing strong went viral in Nov 2020 but it’s so relevant for ANY time of the year that we asked the writer behind the tweet to give us some context. This tweet is now an important reminder for Creatives.
By L’Oreal Thompson Payton
No one *plans* to go viral. At least, I didn’t because as I’ve worked in and around social media enough to know “that’s not how this works, that’s not how any of this works.” But I’m a smart cookie, so I knew the tweet may resonate with a few people, perhaps even a few hundred. I had no idea, however, it would go on to accumulate 46,200 “likes” and be shared by Oprah Magazine among other outlets.
The tweet was inspired by a recent newsletter I’d written about the pressure we often feel around this time to “finish the year strong.” A Twitter friend (hi, Janera Rose!) was tweeting about said pressure and I gently offered that we simply focus on finishing.
As the calendar approached Dec. 1, I had a feeling we’d be seeing a resurgence in those “finish the year strong” tweets and, truth be told, I wasn’t having it. Not today. Not this year. Not in the midst of a global pandemic.
So I tweeted, “Don’t let anyone bully you into “finishing the year strong.” It’s enough to simply finish.” It’s as much a reminder to myself as it is to anyone else who feels they need a permission slip of sorts to take it easy this year (or any year, really) and extend themselves grace given everything else going on.
A well-meaning person commented on my Instagram post that “if someone encouraging you to finish the year strong feels like bullying, it’s time to work on strengthening your mindset.” To which I say, “Nah, I’m good. My mindset is plenty strong.”
Once upon a time, I subscribed to hustle culture, but now I realize my worth is not tied to my productivity. You are more than the sum of your to-do list. You are more than your output. You are more than enough — as you are and where you are right now.
And that is enough.
"You are more than the sum of your to-do list. You are more than your output. You are more than enough." – @ltinthecity for #blkcreatives Click To TweetL’Oreal Thompson Peyton is the Senior mental health editor at YR Media and a lifestyle & wellness writer. Check out her website here.