THE DEEP BRIEF

Week of August 18, 2025

Summer’s sliding into third base here on the wet coast, and we finally got the waterworks we’d been praying for. Nothing dramatic. But enough rain to switch gears before the last act of summer. My abundant flower gardens drank deeply, soooo grateful for the reprieve from weeks of hand-watering. And the corn we planted seemed to say, “We don’t need rain. It’s time to pick us, we’re ripe.”

But it was the ducks that told the real story. They practically exploded with joy, begging to forage under every bush all day long as they discovered treasures that the rain had unearthed. 

And everyone I know felt that subtle but unmistakable sense that the tide had changed. Nothing you could point to exactly, but if you’re sensitive to these shifts, you know.

We’re moving through a week that almost marks the end of one energetic season and the beginning of another. The shift from all that dramatic, look-at-me energy we’ve been swimming in, to something more grounded, purposeful, and quietly satisfying, like the difference between being on stage and being in the garden. Both are necessary and beautiful, but they need completely different parts of us.

This week, as we transition from performance mode to purpose mode, it’s all about what it means to move from spotlight to service and from ego-driven expression to soul-driven contribution.

THE WEEK’S ENERGY

Just when the constant need to perform, impress, and be seen starts to feel exhausting, the universe gives us permission to step back from the stage and into the workshop of our actual lives.

We’re transitioning from creativity for applause to creativity for its own sake. We don’t need an audience for this kind of self-expression. We’re ready to go from the exhausting work of maintaining an image to the satisfying work of building something real.

It’s the difference between being a performer and being a craftsperson. The performer needs constant validation and an audience to feel worthy. The craftsperson is satisfied with the work itself. It’s in the precision and process as they refine their skill. There’s a quiet pride of creation.

As the week plays out, you might notice that the things that used to excite you, like the drama and attention, suddenly feel hollow. Your system is ready for something deeper that feeds your soul instead of just your ego.

WHAT IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE

You might find yourself craving simplicity in ways that surprise you. If you’re like me, there’s already the urge to clean and organize things that border on soft compulsive. That’s okay, because it’s coming from a deep desire to create space for what actually matters. 

There could be moments you get clear on what you want to pour your energy into that feel startlingly different from what motivated you even a few weeks ago. Oh, and people whose approval you were chasing might lose their magnetic pull. Even goals that looked impressive from the outside might feel off. They don’t feel quite right with something deeper you’re feeling inside.

You might notice a shift in your relationship with productivity. So instead of your frantic, almost show-off busyness, you might be drawn to tasks that feel more useful. Think: the kind of work that doesn’t need an audience because it’s bigger than your personal recognition.

You could also experience the strange relief at not having to be “on” all the time and to speak normally instead of performing speech. There’s no need to impress anyone.

Are your standards shifting? You bet. If what used to feel “good enough” suddenly feels sloppy when you’re focusing on internal satisfaction, that’s craftsmanship. Authentic craftsmanship. It’s the difference between doing something well enough to get applause versus doing it well enough to feel proud.

SOUL PERSPECTIVE

This transition is here to teach us the difference between being significant and being useful, which has blown more than a few minds already in clients I’ve been talking to this week. 

For weeks, we’ve been in an energy that wanted our bold self-expression and the centre stage because it helped us remember our worth and step into our power. But now our soul wants us to use that power in service of something more than ourselves.

It wants us to discover that the most satisfying self-expression is the kind that serves others. It’s the deepest fulfillment that comes from being useful and fitting perfectly into the larger pattern of contributing to humanity and the planet.

The cosmic intelligence that’s moving through right now is helping us understand that authentic mastery is quietly, competently, and lovingly doing work that matters. It’s finding the sweet spot where your skills meet the world’s needs and your passion intersects with your purpose.

Just like my corn that announced it’s ready this week, it was simply fulfilling its purpose and giving me its gift at exactly the right moment. That’s a very satisfying kind of alignment.

HOW TO BE WITH IT

The best way to be with this is to pay attention to what feels satisfying versus what feels exciting. Think of excitement as coming from external stimulation, like approval or recognition or even drama. But satisfaction comes from internal alignment by doing work that feels meaningful and using your skills in service of something you care about, so you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself.

Start noticing the difference between ego-driven goals and soul-driven goals. Ego-driven goals are usually about being recognized, admired, or even envied. Soul-driven goals are more about being useful, helpful, or contributory. They both have their place, but this week is asking you to prioritize the latter.

Practice doing your best work even when no one’s watching. Especially when no one’s watching. This will build the muscle of intrinsic motivation and help you discover what you really care about versus what you think you should care about.

Taking this to its most practical, create space for the magic of daily maintenance. Lovingly water the plants. Gently organize the closet. Calmly answer the emails. These are never gonna be glamorous tasks, but there’s something deeply grounding about caring for the infrastructure of your life with attention and love.

If things that used to motivate you are losing their appeal, don’t panic. You’re not losing your edge as much as finding your centre. There’s nothing more attractive than someone who knows how to be both powerful and of service.

YOUR WEEK IN ONE SENTENCE

“This week, I quit the show and get back to the real work.”

MINI PRACTICE FOR PURPOSEFUL TRANSITION

Before jumping into your usual routine, this week, ask yourself, ”What actually needs me today?” Then do that instead of whatever makes you look busiest. By the end of the week, you’ll be hooked on the things that feed your soul instead of your ego.

ANYWAY

If the old motivations start feeling empty, don’t try to force enthusiasm for something (or someone) that doesn’t fit anymore.  When the urge to clean, organize, and simplify feels irresistible, it knows you’re preparing for what’s coming. You’re discovering that the most powerful thing you can do is show up consistently for what really matters.

In the meantime, let the ducks show you how to find joy in the simple act of foraging for what feeds you.

PS: You’re allowed to outgrow the dreams that once thrilled you and lit you up. That just means you’re evolving. But into what? If you want to figure out what actually feeds your soul, UNLIMITED is where that conversation happens.