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There’s something very satisfying about a good checklist—right up until you forget to use it and arrive on an overnight trip without your chargers. Shannon is deep in pre-travel mode, which means checklists are everywhere, and Janine is an enthusiastic fellow traveler. Soon they’re remembering the podcast checklists they once relied on, comparing Apple Notes and Bullet Journals, talking about pilots who run through the same steps every single flight, and finding entirely new uses for plastic sleeves and dry-erase markers. Of course, even a great checklist only works if you remember it exists. And in a nicely timed demonstration of why external memory can be useful, Shannon ends the episode by confidently saying the podcast phone number wrong. What We Talk About02:33 — Travel checklists, the importance of chargers, and what happened when Shannon skipped her list on an overnight trip04:42 — Keeping checklists current and Mike’s method of refining his travel list after each trip06:19 — Remembering the things that can’t be packed until morning, plus the growing pre-trip mega checklist08:49 — Checklists beyond travel: Janine’s new bookkeeping system and the podcast’s shared mini operating manual11:31 — Apple Notes, Bullet Journals, and the deep satisfaction of watching checked-off items move to the bottom12:15 — The Checklist Manifesto, pilots who never skip the routine, “clear prop,” and Barry’s occasionally irritating checklist advice14:13 — Fighter pilots, astronauts, The Apollo Murders, and what can happen when every complicated process has its steps written down18:32 — Todoist routines, laundry that isn’t done until it’s put away, resurrecting forgotten checklists, and reusable list hacks that keep things fresh Key TakeawaysA checklist can take over when memory gets unreliable under pressure—or when a task happens too infrequently to become automatic.Useful checklists aren’t necessarily finished products. Mike keeps revising his travel list based on what he used, didn’t use, and wished he’d brought.Repeated checklists can become a kind of operating manual: eventually the process may feel automatic, but the written steps are still there if someone else has to take over.There’s a catch to having a great checklist: you still have to remember it exists. Writing it down at least means it can be resurrected when you need it again.Sometimes a little novelty or visibility—a different app, a reusable card, a plastic sleeve—is enough to make an old checklist interesting again. The Bottom LineChecklists seem to earn their keep most when memory is least dependable: before a trip, during an infrequent bookkeeping task, or when somebody else has to take over a process. They still need updating, they still have to be remembered, and sometimes adding a little novelty is what keeps them alive. And after all that talk about brain muscle memory, Shannon closes by getting the phone number wrong—apparently the right thing does not always come out at the right time. Want More Like This?Episode 22: Creating Helpful Habits Automating mundane tasks, finding ways to remember new habits, and linking actions together into routines—the habit-building side of what checklists are doing here. Episode 121: Productive Preparation Travel preparation gets the good-enough treatment, with Janine using Trello to plan packing, Shannon using Post-it notes, and both trying to prepare without letting perfectionism take over. Episode 196: Building an Anti-Perfectionist Toolkit A particularly fitting companion to this discussion: useful tools are easy to forget. Shannon and Janine talk about collecting them in one place, revisiting them, tweaking what stops working, and writing things down so they’re there when you need them. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Janine’s new car seems not to have been a mistake—even if maintenance may someday require a trip to Chicago. That gets us talking about the very different feeling when you do realize you’ve messed something up: the sinking stomach, the panic, the self-recrimination, and sometimes a strong desire to pretend it never happened. Shannon’s missed physical therapy appointment turns into a bigger question about why mistakes—and even simply not doing something when you intended to—can make it so much harder to take the next step. Soon there are tasks that keep moving from one week’s list to the next, Janine’s months-long avoidance of creating a procedure that ultimately took virtually no time, and a “seven-layer dip of dread” built around a job Shannon estimates might take fifteen minutes. Somewhere in there, we start teasing apart what makes moving forward feel so hard and what might make it easier. And then Janine comes up with a much more appealing name for those lingering tasks: Opportunities for Achievement. Somehow, that makes all the difference. What We Talk About02:48 — That sinking, panicky feeling that can come with realizing you’ve made a mistake03:05 — Shannon misses a physical therapy appointment—and briefly considers pretending it never happened05:36 — Why mistakes can make it so much harder to go back, face the person involved, or keep moving06:35 — The utility bills Shannon keeps carrying forward on her task list as the task gets bigger and more unpleasant in her mind08:27 — Janine’s months-long avoidance of creating a procedure that ultimately took virtually no time10:18 — Looking at what a dreaded task actually requires—and Shannon’s “seven-layer dip of dread” around a fifteen-minute job12:23 — Shifting the focus from personal discomfort to making life easier for someone else14:27 — Rewards, self-recrimination, background stress, and the birth of an “Opportunities for Achievement” list Key TakeawaysMistakes can bring embarrassment, panic, and self-recrimination that make the next step harder than the original problem.Repeatedly moving the same task from week to week can make it grow much larger and more unpleasant in your mind than it is in reality.Even a task that has already been simplified with templates, instructions, and systems can still accumulate plenty of dread.Thinking about how getting something done helps another person can shift the focus away from your own discomfort.Changing the language—like going from a list of things you haven’t done to “Opportunities for Achievement”—can change how the whole thing feels. The Bottom LineFor most of us, a mistake can bring embarrassment, self-recrimination, and that sinking feeling that makes us want to avoid the whole situation. And when the “mistake” is simply not doing something when we meant to, every day of avoidance can add another layer of dread. Looking at what the task actually requires, remembering who benefits when it gets done, and changing the language around it all seem to make moving forward feel easier. By the end, “Opportunities for Achievement” sounds a lot better than a list of things we’ve failed to do. Want More Like This?Episode 228: Managing Mistakes Janine shares a big mistake she made and how she dealt with it, including apologizing, moving on, and trying not to spend more time and energy on the mistake than necessary. It’s a particularly close companion to this episode’s questions about what happens after you realize you’ve messed up. Episode 165: The Power of Language Words matter—and sometimes a small change in language changes the way something feels. Shannon and Janine talk about replacing “need to” with “choose to” and other subtle reframes, making this a natural match for the newly christened “Opportunities for Achievement” list. Episode 104: Try Compassion Shannon and Janine explore how hard we can be on ourselves and the idea that we somehow need that harshness to keep from repeating mistakes. It connects especially well with Shannon’s realization that part of her seven-layer dip of dread is feeling she doesn’t even deserve a reward for finally getting the task done. Connect With UsWe’d love to hear from you. What’s it like for you when you make a mistake? Are you able to keep going? Do you need an Opportunities for Achievement list? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Is stopping because something is good enough the same thing as being lazy? Janine’s first answer to herself was basically yes—until she caught the name-calling. What if the additional time she was considering just wasn’t worth the extra effort? That opens up all kinds of questions: Why does “busy” sound like a badge of honor? Why can doing nothing all weekend feel like something you have to defend? And if time is finite in the same way money is, what are we choosing not to spend it on when we keep polishing something that doesn’t matter that much? Energy complicates the math even more. Some days you have more of it than others, and the same stopping point can feel completely different depending on what you say to yourself: “Ugh, I’m lazy” or “This is great. I can stop here.” Good enough starts to look less like taking the easy way out and more like something worth aspiring to. What We Talk About01:01 — When “I’m too lazy” might really mean “this isn’t worth more effort”03:11 — Celebrating stopping instead of criticizing yourself for it04:11 — Busy as a badge of honor and productivity as a measure of worth05:11 — The glorious appeal—and social weirdness—of doing nothing all weekend07:06 — Good enough as something aspirational, not lazy08:45 — Deciding consciously whether something really needs more10:33 — Spending time like money—and adding finite energy to the equation14:00 — Catching the name-calling and letting energy help determine what’s reasonable Key TakeawaysSometimes stopping at good enough simply means recognizing that more effort wouldn’t add enough value to be worth it.Consciously noticing that you chose to stop can turn good enough from a shrug into something that actually feels good.Time and energy are finite. Spending more of either on one thing means having less available for something else.Energy isn’t constant, so what feels reasonable to expect of yourself can change from one day to another.The stopping point can be exactly the same while the emotional experience is completely different: “I’m lazy” feels nothing like “This is great. I can stop here.” The Bottom LineThere may be nothing lazy about deciding something has had enough of your time. The useful question is whether more effort would actually matter, given what else deserves your time and the energy you have available. And maybe the particularly good part is noticing the choice when you make it: same stopping point, but “good job, Janine” feels very different from “lazy ass.” Want More Like This?Episode 7: What Is Good Enough? — An early look at how personal our standards of good enough are, and how the importance of what you’re doing can help determine where to stop.Episode 38: Personal Capacity — Shannon and Janine talk about the problem with expecting yourself to operate at 100 percent capacity and the value of making realistic choices about what you can actually do.Episode 252: Taking the Win — A discussion of noticing and giving yourself credit for what you’ve done instead of immediately focusing on what could still be better. Connect With UsWe’d love to hear from you. Do you find it easy to know when to stop? Have you experienced the freedom of good enough? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YourTube!

There’s a small problem with taking a carefully planned podcast break: apparently you have to do a whole lot of work first! You were on break from GTGE in August. We were not. We recorded and edited and scheduled episodes so Shannon can actually disappear for more than three weeks in September—without a computer—while Janine gets to enjoy a break from podcasting in the comfort of her apartment. From there, we wander through northern lights, unexpectedly expensive rustic accommodations, strategically scheduling the relaxing part of a vacation at the end, and the very sensible idea of leaving a bit of time to catch up before returning to real life. Which leads to the less relaxing question: What happens when you step away from something long enough that you worry you’ll forget how to do it? What We Talk About01:57 Why planned breaks were part of bringing the podcast back02:43 Staying off the hamster wheel—and keeping the podcast fun03:30 What an actual vacation looks like when you’re self-employed04:46 Doing a lot of work now so you can really stop working later05:20 Norway, Sweden, Denmark, northern lights, and some pricey “roughing it”07:49 Ending a trip somewhere relaxing so you don't need a vacation after your vacation13:26 The slightly unnerving side of stepping away for a while14:42 Writing things down so Future You doesn’t have to remember everything Key TakeawaysApparently, a real break sometimes requires a very busy stretch beforehand.“We only do it if it’s fun” is still a useful measure for the podcast—and one reason taking breaks matters.There’s something appealing about putting a buffer around a break: time to settle into being away, and time to settle back in when you return.Worrying about what might happen while you’re gone doesn’t necessarily mean the break is a bad idea. Shannon can worry that she’ll forget how to podcast and still go to Scandinavia without a computer.Writing down a process is useful even before you need the instructions. And checking the instructions while you’re actually doing the thing may be the best way to discover whether they bear any resemblance to reality. The Bottom LineTaking a break sounds restful. Preparing to take one? Not necessarily. But Shannon and Janine keep coming back to the same thing that has guided the podcast since 2018: if it stops being fun, something needs to change. This time, the change is a planned break, some real time away, and a little room around the edges for reentry. There are still nerves about stepping away, but there are also notes, backup plans, and some real-time documentation. And if Shannon almost forgot the tagline before the break even started, perhaps updating those podcast instructions really is a good idea! Want More Like This?Episode 100: Our 100th Episode! Shannon and Janine celebrate making it to 100 episodes and revisit the agreement they made at the beginning: they’d keep doing the podcast as long as it was fun. Six years later, that principle is still doing some useful work. Episode 150: Creating Helpful Work Boundaries Work has a way of sneaking into the rest of life, especially when you work for yourself. Shannon and Janine talk about ways to make work and non-work time more distinct—including what Shannon learned from a beach trip that wasn’t quite as vacation-like as it could have been. Episode 183: Taking a Break The earlier version of this very experiment: Shannon and Janine announce a five-week podcast hiatus and talk about what they might gain by actually stopping instead of filling the gap with more work. Connect With UsWe would love to hear from you, our listeners. Do you remember to take a break? What is it like for you when you do? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube! Meta DescriptionShannon and Janine talk about taking a real break, planning time off, easing back in afterward, and the nerves that can come with stepping away.

We’re taking a summer break! When we brought Getting to Good Enough back last year, we decided that building in some time off would help keep the podcast fun and fresh. So we’re taking August off and enjoying that back-to-school feeling of excitement about summer vacation. We’ll be back with a brand-new episode—and a brand-new season—on September 10. See you then!

Disappointment comes in all sizes. Sometimes it’s losing your AirPods somewhere in your apartment and having to fall back on an old wired pair. Sometimes it’s discovering that the IKEA cabinet system you carefully planned cannot coexist with geometry, physics, and an 82-inch basement ceiling—and suddenly not wanting to organize the basement at all. Then there are the disappointments that change much bigger plans, and open the door to something else entirely. A layoff can make space for a new YouTube channel. A canceled Camino can become an RV trip through eastern Oregon, complete with fossil digging and the Painted Hills. The disappointing thing doesn’t have to become secretly wonderful. But when one imagined outcome has started to feel like the only good outcome, remembering what actually matters can make other possibilities visible again. What We Talk About01:44 — The IKEA cabinet plan that seemed perfect until geometry and physics got involved03:14 — When disappointment makes starting over feel so overwhelming that doing nothing becomes tempting04:22 — Lowering the basement floor, raising a house, and other "reasonable" ways to preserve the IKEA plan06:14 — How an idea can start to feel like the only solution07:30 — Returning to what Shannon actually wants from the basement instead of how she expected to achieve it08:38 — Shifting to the hope that something unexpectedly better might turn up09:30 — A layoff, Hannah’s new YouTube channel, and disappointments that lead somewhere surprisingly good11:10 — A potentially disappointing Polestar test drive, a wrong apartment floor plan, and the canceled Camino that became an eastern Oregon adventure16:32 — Outsized disappointment as a clue that an idea of perfection may have been hiding in the plan Key TakeawaysDisappointment can feel especially intense when a particular outcome has quietly become the perfect ONLY desirable outcome.Once the preferred answer seems impossible, black-and-white thinking can make every other possibility look inadequate.Some disappointments require an immediate adjustment, while others leave a project sitting untouched until there is enough energy to reconsider it.A changed plan may lead to something unexpectedly wonderful, but it could also lead to another disappointment—the Polestar test drive could still go either way.The solution doesn’t have to be found before the feeling shifts; by the end, Shannon’s unresolved basement problem has become a fun puzzle again. The Bottom LineDisappointment might mean wired earbuds instead of AirPods, donating furniture because the floor plan was wrong, canceling a long-awaited trip, or having to rethink a carefully planned basement project. Sometimes the alternative is simply what has to happen, and sometimes it turns into an experience that would never have happened otherwise. The realization isn’t that every disappointment is secretly a gift—it’s that an outsized reaction may point to a perfect outcome that had started to crowd out every other possibility. Janine still doesn’t know whether the Polestar will be a revelation or a huge disappointment, and Shannon still doesn’t know what will go in the basement, but the uncertainty feels less overwhelming by the end than it did at the beginning, and new ideas become possible. Want More Like This?Episode 48: Flexibility Shannon and Janine look at how rigid expectations and standards can make life harder, and how greater flexibility can create space for other ways of doing things. Episode 123: Adapt with Ease Wildfire smoke disrupted Shannon’s eastern Oregon RV trip, while Janine’s computer failed during an important project. They discuss how preparation and knowing what mattered helped them adapt when events did not go as planned. Episode 177: How to Change Your Mind Once we’ve committed to a particular outcome, it can be hard to step back when circumstances change. Shannon and Janine discuss commitment bias, perfectionism, and the value of considering alternatives—a good match for the broader question of what comes after a plan doesn’t work out. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

You know the one. That awkward goodbye. The thing you said that came out wrong. The gift giving you wish had unfolded just a little differently. Everyone else has probably forgotten it...but somehow your brain keeps bringing it back. A Fourth of July host gift wrapped in Japanese fabric leads Shannon down that familiar path of replaying an interaction she wishes had gone differently. Janine counters with a thirty-year-old hug-that-should-have-been-a-handshake memory that's somehow still hanging around. Somewhere between laughing at themselves and gently questioning why these moments stick, they wonder whether our brains are actually looking for something useful—or whether it's finally time to admit those experiences were simply...good enough. What We Talk About00:42 — Surviving a heat wave, celebrating the Fourth of July, and how a handmade Japanese fabric gift wrap unexpectedly became the source of an awkward memory.02:49 — Why embarrassing moments seem to replay in our heads far longer than they deserve—and why that happens less often than it used to.04:11 — Janine shares a thirty-year-old crossed-wires goodbye: she went in for a hug just as a colleague offered a handshake.05:18 — Could our brains be hanging onto embarrassing memories because they're still looking for the lesson?06:09 — Shannon reframes her host-gift experience and realizes she doesn't need to explain, manage, or perfect someone else's experience.08:30 — Using visualization to brighten the parts of a memory worth keeping and dim the parts that aren't serving us.11:48 — Is replaying awkward moments really another form of perfectionism? Maybe recognizing they were simply "good enough" is enough to let them go.13:15 — The conversation ends with a surprisingly funny realization: if you're here now, you survived the awkward moment—and maybe it's finally time to evict it from your head. Key TakeawaysIf an awkward memory keeps resurfacing, ask yourself whether there's actually a lesson to learn—or whether you've already learned it.The people involved in your embarrassing moment probably remember it far less vividly than you do.You can intentionally emphasize the parts of a memory you want to keep and soften the parts that aren't helping you anymore.Sometimes "good enough" applies to entire experiences, not just projects or tasks.Looking back on an awkward moment with humor instead of embarrassment can completely change how it feels. The Bottom LineOur brains have a funny habit of giving awkward moments far more attention than they deserve. A slightly uncomfortable goodbye or a gift exchange that didn't unfold exactly as planned can occupy valuable mental real estate long after everyone else has moved on. Maybe the goal isn't to erase those memories. Maybe it's to recognize that they were good enough, learn whatever there was to learn, and let the rest become just another funny story. If one of those old cringe memories pops into your head this week, ask yourself: Have I already learned everything I needed to learn from this? If the answer is yes, see what happens if you simply let it go. Want More Like ThisEpisode 238: Be Your Own BFF Instead of beating yourself up over past mistakes, this conversation explores how treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend can make it much easier to move forward. Episode 68: What's Wrong with Perfectionism? A foundational discussion about why perfectionism gets in the way of happiness—and how embracing good enough frees up energy for the things that really matter. Episode 228: Managing Mistakes A perfect companion to this episode. Janine shares a significant mistake she made, and together they explore apologizing, learning, moving on, and resisting the urge to keep beating yourself up. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Some days the hardest part of any task isn't doing it—it's stopping what you're doing so you can do the next thing. That shows up everywhere: going for a run, getting into (and out of) the shower, heading to an appointment, downsizing to a new home, or simply standing up from your desk. Along the way there are tomato plants that suddenly need cages, dogs who don't want to leave the air conditioning, and just one more thing that distracts you. Rather than trying to solve transitions once and for all, Shannon and Janine get curious about why they can feel so surprisingly difficult—and share the little things they've discovered that make changing gears just a bit easier. What We Talk About00:00 — Why switching from one thing to the next can feel harder than the task itself.01:36 — Staying in a pleasant groove, reluctant dogs, and the universal appeal of not changing gears.02:45 — An all-too-relatable reel, shower resistance, and why transitions seem to take so much mental energy.04:17 — Big life transitions, from moving and downsizing to discovering apartment living was exactly the right fit.05:52 — How outside accountability—and sometimes professional help—can make overwhelming transitions much more manageable.08:28 — Reducing friction with prepared bags, designated homes for keys, and other small systems that make leaving easier.12:30 — Using a physical "bridge" between tasks instead of letting a transition become an invitation to get distracted.15:28 — Repeating "This is what I'm doing now," remembering why the next task matters, and making it more appealing than the one you're leaving. Key TakeawaysTransitions often become easier when you remove little points of friction ahead of time, like gathering what you'll need before it's time to leave.Giving frequently used items permanent homes can eliminate unnecessary stress and decision-making.A brief physical reset—stretching, getting water, or simply standing up—can serve as a bridge between tasks instead of a detour.Quietly reminding yourself what you're doing next can help keep your attention from wandering during transitions.Connecting with why the next task matters can make it feel easier to begin than simply treating it as another item on the list. The Bottom LineChanging gears is work. Whether it's leaving the house, starting a workout, finishing a favorite activity, or making a major life change, there's often a surprising amount of invisible effort packed into the transition itself. The encouraging part is that the conversation isn't about becoming someone who loves transitions. It's about noticing where they get sticky and experimenting with small ways to make them feel a little smoother. Maybe that's putting your keys on a hook, taking a stretch break, or simply reminding yourself: "This is what I'm doing now." Watch the conversation on YouTube!The "Doorway Effect" Want More Like ThisEpisode 151: Task Management Revisited Task systems are only as useful as the way they fit your brain. Shannon and Janine explore how to build a system around what you actually need rather than searching for the perfect tool. Episode 153: Helping Your Future Self A practical conversation about making present-day decisions that reduce friction for future you—from morning routines to planning ahead. Episode 152: Practicing Being Present If the idea of paying attention to what you're doing right now resonated, this episode explores simple ways to be more present without expecting perfection. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!The "Doorway Effect" Please take a moment to subscribe, rate & review the podcast!

The way we talk to ourselves is easy to ignore because it's happening all the time. Most of us don't stop to wonder whether that little voice is actually helping—or quietly making everything a little harder. A simple observation about motivation opens up a conversation about encouragement, resistance, and the surprisingly big difference a small shift in wording can make. Along the way there are yoga aspirations, podcast deadlines, rebellious inner toddlers, Hamilton songs, and a reminder that our inner worlds are often much stranger—and more personal—than we assume. What We Talk About00:00 — Why negative self-talk adds another layer of "ick."02:06 — Shannon's self-motivating approach to training for the Oslo 10K.03:23 — Yoga, podcast editing, and finding better motivation.05:14 — Encouragement versus self-criticism.08:27 — Meeting the "inner rebel toddler."09:23 — Making negative self-talk less convincing.11:43 — Inner voices, Hamilton songs, and how differently our minds work.14:30 — Remembering why something matters in the first place. Key TakeawaysThe tone of your self-talk can matter just as much as the words themselves.Remembering why you want to do something can feel much more motivating than telling yourself you should.Harsh self-talk often adds another layer of discomfort instead of making action easier.If a negative inner voice feels convincing, changing how you imagine it—its voice, location, or tone—can make it easier to question.Simply noticing how you talk to yourself is a meaningful first step. The Bottom LineIt isn't about finding the perfect motivational script. It's about paying attention to the conversation you're already having with yourself—and whether it's actually helping. Sometimes the smallest shift isn't changing your goal but changing the voice that's encouraging you toward it. The next time you catch yourself saying "I should," pause for a moment and ask yourself why you want it instead. Want More Like ThisEpisode 4: Self-Talk If this conversation felt familiar, it's fun to hear where it all began. Shannon and Janine first explored the little voice in your head—and what to do when it isn't being especially helpful. Episode 78: Words Matter A natural companion to this episode, this conversation looks at how small shifts in language can change the way we think, especially when perfectionism sneaks into our self-talk. Episode 98: Stop With the Shoulds One of Janine's least favorite words gets the spotlight. If today's conversation about encouragement resonated, this episode digs deeper into replacing obligation with choice. Connect With UsHow do you talk to yourself when you're trying to do something that's good for you? Has changing that conversation ever made a difference? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!About Aphantasia: the inability to picture things in your Mind | The Guardian

Celebrating the People, Not the Plan From a college graduation in 97-degree heat, a wedding planner making questionable choices, and a refrigerator stocked with canned sparkling rosé just in case someone deserves celebrating—this conversation goes exactly where you'd expect a conversation between Shannon and Janine to go! What starts with Shannon's weekend celebrating her son's college graduation turns into a thoughtful discussion about what really matters when we're marking life's big (and little) moments. Plans change, weather happens, people forget to change their shirts, and somehow the best memories often come from the parts that didn't go according to plan. Along the way, Shannon and Janine talk about weddings, birthday parties, hosting, tiny wins, and why keeping your focus on the people you're celebrating makes it a whole lot easier to let go of perfection. What We Talk About00:00 — Why the memorable parts of a celebration often aren't the perfectly planned ones00:41 — Shannon shares stories from her son's graduation weekend, including extreme heat, schedule changes, and staying flexible04:01 — Keeping your eye on what's actually important instead of getting attached to the plan05:08 — Janine reflects on hosting events, overplanning, and putting early guests to work when things are running behind07:56 — Shannon remembers planning her wedding, defining success simply as "we're legally married," and the unforgettable moment her wedding planner was found doing shots at the bar11:56 — How deciding in advance how you want people to feel can make every planning decision easier13:44 — Letting go of perfectionism around celebrations15:47 — Celebrating small wins, keeping canned sparkling rosé on hand, and why no victory is too small to acknowledge Key TakeawaysDecide what's most important before the event starts, then let that guide your decisions when plans inevitably change.Planning and flexibility aren't opposites—you can prepare thoughtfully without becoming attached to every detail.Guests usually remember how a celebration felt much more than whether everything went exactly according to schedule.If you're hosting, let people help. Many friends are genuinely happy to pitch in.Celebrating someone else's small win can mean even more than celebrating your own. The Bottom LineCelebrations have a funny way of reminding us what actually matters. The schedule changes, the weather refuses to cooperate, somebody forgets to change clothes, or the wedding planner winds up somewhere unexpected—but the people you love still gather, laugh, and create memories together. Maybe that's why the imperfect moments are often the ones we remember most. This week, notice one small reason to celebrate—your own or someone else's—and don't wait for it to be a big occasion. Want More Like ThisEpisode 130: Making the Best of the Season Not every celebration looks the way you imagined it would. This conversation explores finding what really matters when traditions have to change and keeping the focus on the people you're celebrating. Episode 104: Try Compassion Perfectionism and self-criticism often go hand in hand. If you've ever been hard on yourself while hosting or planning something, this episode offers a compassionate companion to this week's conversation. Episode 48: Flexibility A great follow-up if this discussion resonated. Shannon and Janine explore how relaxing rigid expectations can make planning—and life in general—a whole lot easier. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Forty thousand photos.That's how many photos both Shannon and Janine discovered they have on their phones, give or take a couple hundred. The discovery immediately raised a question: if there are forty thousand photos in there, why can't you find the one you're actually looking for? From puppy pictures and sunrise photos to garden snapshots and Wordle screenshots, they talk about what's filling up their camera rolls, why organizing photos feels so daunting, and the surprising role that decision-making plays in all of it. Along the way, they share a few approaches they're considering, a couple of things that already help, and a realistic challenge for tackling the backlog without turning photo management into a full-time job. What We Talk About00:00 — Discovering they each have about 40,000 photos on their phones and wondering how that happened02:23 — Janine's search for an old puppy picture of Bix and the frustration of knowing a photo exists but not being able to find it03:25 — How perfectionism and the search for the "right" system can keep a project from ever getting started04:13 — A photographers workflow, photo-culling tools, and the challenge of managing huge numbers of images05:51 — A photo-organizing course they both enjoyed—and why having a good framework didn't make the work feel any less overwhelming07:17 — The surprisingly big role that tiny decisions play when you're sorting through thousands of photos13:46 — Shannon's strategy of adding captions to photos so they're easier to find later18:15 — A three-month challenge to stop their photo collections from growing even larger Key TakeawaysSometimes the hardest part of organizing photos is making thousands of low-stakes decisions.Captions can make future-you much happier when it's time to search for a specific photo.Small rules—like deleting photos of labels after you've read them—can reduce clutter without requiring a massive organizing project.Looking for tiny pockets of time may be more realistic than scheduling a long photo-organizing session.Maintaining new photos may be easier than trying to solve a backlog of 40,000 all at once.You don't need a perfect system before you start making things a little easier. The Bottom LineThis conversation begins with a surprisingly specific problem—finding one photo among forty thousand—and quickly reveals that both Shannon and Janine are dealing with the same thing: a collection that's grown faster than any system they have for managing it. Rather than searching for the perfect solution, they explore a few practical ideas, a few imperfect ones, and a few habits they might actually stick with. And that may just be enough. The next time you're waiting for an elevator, standing in line, or looking for a photo you know is in there somewhere, consider deleting a few duplicates, blurry images or mysterious shots you can't even identify. Want More Like ThisEpisode 227: Making Tough Choices Easier This episode explores the mental load of decision-making and ways to save your energy for the choices that matter most. If choosing between nearly identical photos feels oddly exhausting, you'll relate to this conversation. Episode 92: Working Through a Backlog Whether the backlog is paper, email, or photos, the challenge is often the same: figuring out how to make progress without feeling overwhelmed. This episode offers ideas for tackling accumulated projects one manageable step at a time. Episode 66: Daily Habits Shannon and Janine discuss how small, repeatable actions can make life easier. It's a nice companion to this episode's idea of handling photos a little at a time rather than waiting for the perfect organizing day. Connect With UsHow do you manage your photos? Do you have a system—or are you staring at a camera roll full of poodles, sunrises, screenshots, and mysteries, too? Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTubeRock Your Scroll 2025 e-course・Live Your Story with Stacy JulianClever Cleaner: AI Cleanup App And if you know someone who has ever said, "I know I have a picture of that somewhere," send this episode their way.

Our three hundredth episode feels like a good excuse to look back.Sitting together in the same room for a change, Shannon and Janine find themselves reflecting on a friendship that started online, survived long stretches without regular contact, and somehow turned into both a decades-long friendship and a 300-episode podcast. Along the way, they talk about the things that seem to make any relationship easier: assuming good intentions, letting go of expectations, resisting the urge to "should" your way into being a better friend, and accepting that not every friendship has to look the same. It's also a conversation about postcards, pen pals, fake philodendrons, and the delight of finding people who let you be completely yourself. What We Talk AboutRecording together in person in St. Louis and celebrating the milestone of 300 episodesHow a friendship that began in an online group for dog owners turned into a nearly 25-year friendshipWhy expecting perfection from friends can create disappointment, and how different friends can show up in different waysHolding friendships loosely, including going months—or years—without contact and picking right back up where you left offShannon's practice of assuming good intentions and the surprisingly direct conversation she had with her future husband when they first started datingThe pressure of feeling like you should be a more proactive friend, and why "should" rarely helpsA delightful detour into pen pals, postcards, Aunt Irene, and the joy of receiving something unexpected in the mailBehind-the-scenes stories about recording between two fake philodendrons, technology challenges, and plans to climb 35 flights of stairs together Key TakeawaysLong-lasting friendships don't necessarily require frequent contact; sometimes trust matters more than consistency.Assuming good intentions can prevent misunderstandings from growing into bigger problems.Different friendships serve different roles, and not every friend has to meet every need.Feeling like you should do something for a friend often creates more resistance than simply deciding whether you genuinely want to do it.Small gestures—a postcard, a note, a quick message—don't have to be perfect to be meaningful.The people who care about you usually care more about who you are than whether you remembered every birthday card. The Bottom LineOne of the nicest things about this conversation is that it quietly challenges the idea that friendship has to follow a particular set of rules. Sometimes the strongest relationships are the ones with the fewest expectations attached to them. If someone has been on your mind lately, maybe that's enough. Send the postcard, write the note, or just say hello—no perfect timing required. Want More Like ThisEpisode 80: Expectations of Others This episode explores how expectations can create frustration in our relationships and why assuming good intentions can make life easier for everyone. It pairs especially well with this conversation about friendship and disappointment. Episode 221: Navigating Loss When Janine's father passed away, Shannon's willingness to immediately show up for her became one of the many examples of friendship discussed throughout the years on the podcast. A moving conversation about support, kindness, and being there when it matters. Episode 243: Are We Having Fun Yet? One of the recurring themes in both episodes is that relationships thrive when they're enjoyable rather than obligation-filled. Plus, it's a great example of Shannon and Janine simply enjoying each other's company while exploring a topic together. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Summer has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it's Memorial Day, and the next it's Labor Day and we're wondering where the time went. Most of us have at least a vague idea of what we want our summer to be like. Maybe we'd love more time at home, a project we've been meaning to tackle, a little adventure, or simply a slower pace. But unless we're intentional, summer has a tendency to fill itself up. And not necessarily the way you hoped. Sometimes creating the summer you want starts with identifying the summer you don't want. More travel isn't always better if you'd rather be home. More plans aren't always better if you're craving a little breathing room. And some projects become much more appealing when you let go of all the rules you've attached to them. This conversation explores the idea of being intentional about both sides of the equation: what you'd like to make room for and what you'd rather not crowd your calendar with. Along the way there are foldable kayaks, a highly scientific gyoza research project, and the surprising possibility that driving a stick shift and knitting use the same part of your brain. What We Talk About03:24 — Why having a vision for summer is different from actually enjoying the summer you wanted05:03 — Planning not only what you want to do this summer, but what you don't want filling up your calendar06:48 — Shannon's dream of a better-organized basement—and the IKEA pantry wall she's coveting08:27 — The freedom that comes from realizing you can "break the rules" and organize first and declutter later11:09 — Janine's vision of a neighborhood gyoza crawl turns into a (fun) research project, complete with ratings and possible bingo cards14:01 — National Knit in Public Day, IKEA disappointment, and the theory that knitting may have the same muscle memory as driving a stick shift16:47 — The surprising appearance of two foldable kayaks in Shannon's vision for summer Key TakeawaysThinking about what you don't want can provide just as much clarity as thinking about what you do want.If you want your summer to feel a certain way, it may take more than simply hoping it happens.Large projects often become easier when you remove requirements that aren't actually necessary.Staycations work best when you protect them from slowly turning back into regular, old workdays.Small adventures close to home can be every bit as satisfying as bigger plans.A season doesn't need a detailed master plan—just enough intention to guide your choices. The Bottom LineThe seasons of our lives often take shape one small decision at a time. If you want your summer to feel different, it may help to think not only about what you'd like to add, but also what you'd like less of. Pick one thing you'd love to make room for and one thing you'd rather avoid. That simple exercise might make it easier to spend your summer the way you actually want to. Want More Like ThisEpisode 236: How to Start a New Adventure Starting something new can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. This episode explores ways to make new adventures feel more approachable by focusing on what matters most and staying flexible as you learn along the way. Episode 135: Keeping Challenges Easy Whether you're taking on a challenge, starting a new hobby, or simply trying something different, this episode is full of ideas for keeping things doable, enjoyable, and fun. Episode 71: Reframing Sometimes a small shift in perspective changes everything. This episode pairs nicely with the idea of rethinking not just what you want from a season, but how you think about the choices that shape it. Connect With UsWhat do you want your summer to be like? We want to hear all about it! Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube! Help us reach more people by rating and reviewing the podcast on your favorite platform!

Sometimes the hardest part of getting things done isn't the list itself—it's how the list feels. When a project, task list, or responsibility starts to feel enormous, it's easy to assume the overwhelm is coming from the work. But often, what's driving the experience is the story, image, or feeling we've attached to it. The work may be exactly the same, while our relationship to it changes completely. In this episode, Shannon shares a surprisingly powerful mental shift that helped her move from feeling buried under an endless pile of obligations to feeling capable of making progress. Along the way, she and Janine explore how imagination, perspective, and even the way we talk to ourselves can make difficult things feel more approachable. The conversation is a reminder that while we can't always change what needs to be done, we often have more influence than we realize over how it feels to do it. What We Talk About01:18 — Shannon's experience of feeling overwhelmed and unable to get started02:01 — The "infinite gravel pile" metaphor for an endless-looking task list03:10 — Stepping back and noticing the edges04:28 — Reframing progress: gravity isn't creating more work, it's making the next tasks easier to reach05:41 — A visualization exercise: shrinking an overwhelming problem until it fits in your hand06:35 — Using changes in imagery, sound, and perspective to reduce the power of negative thoughts10:08 — Why changing how something feels can make action easier11:41 — Janine's approach to tackling a large accounting-system migration one month at a time14:18 — Remembering to use the tools you already know when you're in the middle of overwhelm16:21 — A simple journaling exercise for experimenting with reframing Key TakeawaysWhen a task feels overwhelming, pay attention to how you're representing it in your mind—not just the task itself.Changing your perspective on a problem can change your emotional response to it, even if nothing external changes.Breaking a large project into smaller, clearly defined segments can make steady progress feel more visible.The way you talk to yourself matters. Reinforcing "I'm learning" feels very different from reinforcing "I hate this."Visualization can be a practical tool, not just an abstract exercise. Shrinking, moving, or changing an image can make a task feel more manageable.If you're stuck, try getting curious about what specifically makes the situation feel difficult and experiment with changing that representation. The Bottom LineOverwhelm often feels like proof that there's too much to do. But sometimes it's a signal that we need a different perspective, not a different task list. Small shifts in how we picture, describe, or think about what's in front of us can make surprisingly large differences in how easy it feels to begin. The next time you're staring at your own gravel pile, try taking a step back and asking yourself: "What would make this feel just a little more manageable?" Want More Like ThisEpisode 49: Getting Started This episode explores why it can be so hard to begin, especially when perfectionism is involved. It also includes Shannon's visualization technique of shrinking an overwhelming project until it feels small enough to hold in your hand—a direct connection to this week's conversation. Episode 50: Ease Doesn't Mean Easy A thoughtful discussion about introducing ease into difficult situations without pretending they're easy. If you enjoyed the idea of changing your relationship to a task rather than changing the task itself, you'll appreciate this one. Episode 81: Ambivalence Sometimes what looks like procrastination or resistance is actually unresolved ambivalence. This episode explores how uncovering what's happening beneath the surface can help you move forward more intentionally. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation on YouTube!

Some decisions really matter. Many of them… probably don’t. And yet somehow it’s often the tiny daily choices that eat up the most energy. What do you wear when it’s 57 degrees and windy? Where’s the “right” place to put that one random thing you don’t want to lose? Which version of the exact same product should you buy online? For people with perfectionist tendencies, these little decisions can quietly become much bigger than they need to be. This episode explores the exhausting search for the “best” answer — and the relief that can come from realizing there probably isn’t one. Shannon and Janine talk about maximizers vs. satisficers, decision fatigue, clothing formulas, shopping spirals, and why “just pick one” is sometimes surprisingly wise advice. Also: seed libraries, breakfast choices and a memorable story about refusing to buy “overpriced” gas. What We Talk About00:01 — The “apex of perfection” and why most decisions probably don’t have one perfect answer01:25 — Shannon’s excitement about Portland’s seed library and saving seeds from her garden02:53 — How perfectionism sneaks into tiny projects and stops us before we start03:46 — Janine’s helpful system for deciding what to wear to walk the dog05:14 — Why figuring things out once can reduce daily friction07:29 — Breakfast decisions, tiny daily choices, and how easy it is to overthink things that don’t matter much08:59 — Maximizers vs. satisficers and the exhausting search for the “best possible” option11:59 — Shopping spirals, decision overload, and the relief of deciding not to buy something12:47 — Shannon’s hilariously illogical quest to save on gas during a California road trip15:34 — Why “finding the perfect place” for something often creates clutter instead Key TakeawaysRepetitive decisions get easier when you create simple rules or defaults ahead of time.A “good enough” choice is often more than enough for low-stakes decisions.Reducing the number of options can dramatically reduce overwhelm.Tiny decisions can quietly drain a surprising amount of mental energy.Wanting the optimal answer can keep you stuck choosing between perfectly fine options.Sometimes the most helpful question is simply: “Does this matter enough to spend this much energy on?” The Bottom LineA lot of daily stress comes not from huge life decisions, but from hundreds of tiny moments where we feel like we should optimize, research, compare, or get it exactly right. But most of the time, there isn’t one perfect answer waiting to be discovered — just lots of workable ones. This episode is a gentle reminder that simplifying counts. Creating defaults counts. Picking something and moving on counts. If you’ve been exhausting yourself trying to make the “best” choice all day long, maybe your next tiny act of self-kindness is to choose a good enough option and let that be enough. Want More Like ThisEpisode 84: Overthinking Janine and Shannon talk about how easy it is to get stuck thinking instead of doing — especially for perfectionists. A great companion to this episode if you’ve ever spent way too long trying to figure out the “right” approach before taking action. Episode 102: The Good Enough Decision This episode dives directly into maximizers vs. satisficers, decision-making fatigue, and why trying to make the perfect choice can actually leave us less satisfied. Very much the spiritual older sibling of this conversation. Episode 159: Relinquishing Control A thoughtful conversation about letting go of the desire to control every variable and recognizing where “good enough” can create more ease and less frustration. Especially relevant if decision-making starts to feel emotionally loaded. Connect With UsLeave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)Comment on social media: @gettingtogoodenough on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeEmail: [email protected] Watch the conversation YouTube! And if you know someone who could use this conversation, send it their way 💛