Last night I went to grab my phone that was lying in the other room. I noticed I had a voicemail which would only result in bad news.

My mother had called. She knows I’d return her call without needing to leave me a message, so I knew something was up.

I peaked at the transcript and this is what it said:

“Hi Thomas, this is your mom just give me a call…”

Not good.

Because my mother has cancer. In her lungs, bones, and spine.

She’s been battling cancer for about 3 years now (mostly kicking a** btw)!

But just because she’s the strongest woman I know, that doesn’t mean her situation isn’t a bit frightening.

I call her back and she informs me, “I’m in the ER. I was coughing up blood. I think I’m fine you don’t have to come…”

My mom likes to down play everything that happens.

So of course I dropped what I was doing — watching previews for the presidential debate — and headed to the ER to be with her.

They performed an X-ray and got some blood work. Turned out to be nothing major — so good news. But we waited for hours and I didn’t get home until late last night.

Naturally, I’m a bit sluggish and tired this morning, as I write this email.

I had planned to write some content for LinkedIn and Threads. I had planned to start the next resource for my membership. I had other stuff on my To-Do list I wanted to tackle today.

But instead, I’m going to rest after a long night and little sleep.

After ~9 years of entrepreneurship, I’ve learned pushing yourself despite “life happening” does more harm than good.

So my message for you today is → don’t be too hard on yourself.

It’s easy as someone running your own business to be “on” mentally 24/7. Even when you’re not working — you’re working… Or you always feel like you’re behind.

But I want you to know it’s A-ok to put yourself first some times.

Life happens. Be gentle on yourself when it does.

Rooting for you,

Thomas Strider

P.S. If you’d like an additional personal story from me on a similar topic. Check out this blog.