Hello Reader,

As we close out 2025, a year that asked a lot from all of us, I keep coming back to something Cheryl Strayed said on Adam Grant’s WorkLife podcast five years ago. It has quietly shaped how I run my business, make decisions, and navigate the hard days.

The Truest Thing (and Why We Need It Now)

Cheryl Strayed—author of Wild and the Dear Sugar column—talked about the difference between the true thing and the truer thing.

The true thing is often the fear.
The doubt.
The swirl of “I’m not enough” and “What if this all falls apart?”

But then she said:

“The truer thing is: this is part of the process, and if I do the work and trust the process, it will be okay.”

Here is the question I am always asking myself:

“Is this the truest thing?”

I come back to this whenever I’m tired, overwhelmed, or second-guessing myself:

✨ The truest thing reminds me not to abandon myself.
​Not to override what I really want and need when life gets hard.
Not to let the ‘shoulds’ take over.

Because when we’re burned out, we disconnect from ourselves.
And then the “shoulding” begins:

“I should be able to keep up.”
“I should push through.”
“I should be further along by now.”
“I shouldn’t need help.”

But “shoulds” pull us away from who we really are.
​
Live inside them long enough, and you can end up building a life shaped by pressure—not purpose.
Sometimes even someone else’s life entirely.

The truest thing is the antidote.​
It brings us back to ourselves, to our values, and to the decisions that actually move us forward.

Ready to Find Your Truest Thing?

If you’re ready to start the new year with clarity, confidence, and a direction grounded in who you actually are—not the “shoulds”—I have a few openings for January.

More news from Fireworks Coaching

What's New With Me Much of my recent work has centered on helping people navigate burnout, doubt, and big transitions—MIT alumni and MBAs stepping into new possibilities, private clients rebuilding confidence, and leaders trying to stay grounded during organizational chaos. And behind the scenes, I’ve been doing some recalibrating in my own business, guided by—what else—the truest thing. As I look toward 2026, I’m opening availability for a few new organizational clients who want deeper support for their leaders and teams. Let's Talk

The Courage to Speak Up: How Women Can Find Their Voice If you missed my recent webinar for Tufts Alumni, The Courage to Speak Up: How Women Can Find Their Voice, here’s the replay. It’s all about understanding the internal barriers that silence us, the social dynamics at play, and the practical strategies women can use to speak with more confidence and clarity. If you’re navigating tough conversations at work—or avoiding them—this will help you reconnect with your truest voice. Watch it here

Year-End Reminder: Use Your Professional Development Funds If your employer offers PD or coaching dollars, they often expire on December 31. These funds typically cover: • career coaching • leadership development • strengths work • transition support • burnout + resilience coaching If you want support in early 2026, now is the best time to use what’s available before it disappears. Reply and I can help you check what’s covered. Let's chat

​LAGNIAPPE:​ For a tiny moment of joy at the end of this email, here’s a lagniappe: a performance that reminds me how powerful it is when people trust their voice—literally and figuratively. In this clip, Simone Haaland and Victoria Spandow, two young artists on The Voice Norway, deliver an absolutely stunning battle-round duet of “Best Part” (Daniel Caesar & H.E.R.). Listen now

Before you close this email, take one breath and ask:

“What is the truest thing for me right now?”

If you feel like sharing, hit reply. I always love hearing from you.

Warmly,
​Becky

PS: Click here to read this on the web or share with others.​

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