The Unbound Letter

A Weekly Letter for People Doing the Work

Issue 14

All I Had to Do Was Show Up

Dear Unbound Friend,

Welcome to Issue 14 of The Unbound Letter.

This weekend was my daughter's birthday, and I spent that time celebrating her.

I actually wrote this letter earlier — and somehow, it got deleted.

At first, I was frustrated. I had been trying to get it done in between our activities, rushing to finish before we went out. But when it disappeared, I had a choice. I could delay going out and try to recreate what I'd written, or I could leave it for later and go enjoy the moment.

I chose the moment.

Because one thing we don't get back is time.

And maybe that's exactly what I needed to be reminded of.

This past week, I found myself thinking a lot about how I was going to show up. I was planning and trying to make sure I had everything figured out.

Then I realized I was overplanning.

All I had to do was show up.

Sometimes I think we make showing up harder than it has to be. We think about what we're going to do, what we're going to say, what we're going to bring, or whether we're doing enough.

But presence is more important than presents.

People will remember how you made them feel and how you showed up — whether you were performing or simply being authentic.

It's okay to just be present.

As I celebrate my daughter's Sweet 16, I look forward to continuing to enjoy the moments we have and cherish this time.

Because it's easy to spend our time and energy focusing on things — and sometimes people — who aren't at the top of our priority list, while the moments that matter are happening right in front of us.

This week, it really just felt good to be present.

It felt good to show up.

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."

— MATTHEW 6:34, KJV

Sometimes being present means allowing tomorrow to hold what belongs to tomorrow, so we don't miss what is right in front of us today.

This week's question — for you, and for me

What ways are you showing up and being present for what matters to you?

Until next week,
Dr. Nakiba

Ready to Stop Overplanning and Just Show Up?

If this letter resonated, the Confidence Audit™ is a quick, honest look at where you may be second-guessing yourself instead of trusting what you've already built. It's a chance to recognize what's already there — and where you may be making showing up harder than it has to be.

Take the Confidence Audit

Becoming Unbound™ with Dr. Nakiba Starr

unbound.nakibastarr.com · YouTube: Unbound with Dr. Nakiba · @DrNakibaStarr

"As I think, so shall I be."

Unbound with Dr. Nakiba

All I Had to Do Was Show Up

The Unbound Letter

All I Had to Do Was Show Up

Issue 14 Is Coming a Little Later

I DON’T HAVE TO PERFORM COMPETENCE

I Forgot About Me.