I had lunch with a friend last week, and she shared that one component of being in her thirties that she's loving is no longer feeling the need to please others.

 

Not in a selfish, apathetic way, but in a not compromising yourself for others, staying rooted in yourself and your needs way. 👏🏼

 

I'm looking forward to that kicking in for me.

 

While I honed the ability to set and enforce boundaries in my twenties, I'm still living with a “be nice” mentality in other areas of my life.

 

Last Friday, I encountered a dog left in a hot car. The windows were cracked, but it was 78-degrees in the parking lot. The dog was panting and drooling hard.

PSA designed by Tailswag.

- Psst! Tailswag's Second Annual Dachtoberfest is this Saturday! - 

I glanced around the parking lot and towards the building. There was no one around.

 

So I called the local police.

 

I waited with the dog until police or the owner arrived, and the owner arrived first. We did not have a pleasant exchange, and I drove off with my heart pounding.

 

Was I being overly dramatic? Should I have left the police out of it?

 

I thought about that tv show “What Would You Do?” and how “see something say something” is so easy to decide from the comfort of your couch. But when you're presented with an actual scenario and the potential of confrontation? The decision's not so simple.

 

But from watching that show, I remember wanting to be the person who said something, because genuinely coming to someone's aid is more important than the discomfort of confrontation.

 

Not long after, I received my sign while scrolling Instagram:

If you're on the IG, follow @h.e.l.e.n.m.a.r.i.e. Insightful!

The line that stood out to me?

 

“You can be a kind person and challenge poor behavior.”

 

🤯

 

Epiphany realized. (Which line jumps out at you?)

 

Unfortunately conflict is a part of life, as are challenges and heartache. While it's important to be kind, it's also important to avoid complacency and self-sacrifice.

 

Set those boundaries, stand up for what you believe in, and above all, stand up for yourself. Remember this Aesop fable: “Please all, and you will please none.”

 

Psst! At lunch with my friend last week, I also shared a trait that I'm thankful to be releasing in my 30s. I'm writing all about it in next week's newsletter!

P.S. If you've enrolled in a Miss MegaBug online course, please review the materials by 10/20/2025. Courses will be taken offline the following day. Thank you!

❄️ Weekend Fun Shelby and I took Nanny to the Mt. Agassiz Trail Association fundraiser, held at Rek-Lis Brewing Company. Shelby's brother and sister-in-law are on the Trail Association board, and we wanted to support them. Nanny was in her element! She ran into people she knew and won the maple syrup gift basket raffle prize.

 

While there, we sipped a raspberry citrus fizz mocktail, split a pretzel, and ordered Taste The Thai take-out that we enjoyed at Nanny's house after.

 

→ Upcoming Weekend Plans Dachtoberfest! It's a celebration of dachshunds, with a parade and race. Cuteness overload. The event includes a raffle and a vendor area, including makers of pet treats, pet accessories, and food (for humans!).

 

🤸🏻 Recently Taught Pilates! It's been a few months since I've filled in for a Pilates class at Studium Fitness, and I enjoyed it. I'm subbing again this Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. if you care to join me. 😉

 

Barre Sculpt | 6:45 to 7:35 a.m.

Mobility + Stability (MOBS) | 9 to 9:50 a.m.

TRX Stretch & Strengthen | 10 to 10:50 a.m.

 

Mobility + Stability (MOBS) | 5:30 to 6:20 p.m.

 

Spooky Skate Night | 6 to 8 p.m.

We're ordering a few pairs of skates so you no longer have to bring your own! Learn more.

 

📚 Currently Reading I've been rotating between three books, depending on my mood. “Prophecy: What The Future Holds For You” by Sylvia Browne, “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience” by Brene Brown (looove her explanation of envy vs. jealousy), and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas (my first fantasy, and I'm getting lost in the world - in the best way).

 

 

👯‍♀️ Share The Downshift Diary with anyone who's looking to downshift from the hustle to slow, simple living. Direct link: https://www.missmegabug.com/subscribe

 

 

💕 Found an edition particularly insightful? Consider buying me a tea.