#MentalHealthMonday - The Rule Of Thirds
The Meredith Patterson Podcast16 Mar

#MentalHealthMonday - The Rule Of Thirds

ARBONNE - Healthy Whole & Complete

Welcome to Mental Health Monday
 Today I want to share a mindset that has completely reframed the way I move through hard seasons, creative stretches, motherhood, business, aging, healing — life. It's called The Rule of Thirds, and it's something I first heard articulated so powerfully by Emma Grede on the ASPIRE Podcast. And the moment she explained it, my entire nervous system exhaled. What Emma Grede teaches in ASPIRE Emma says this:
When you are doing something meaningful — building a company, raising children, pursuing a dream, changing your life — your experience will naturally fall into thirds.
  • One-third of the time, things feel great.
    You're aligned. Energized. Confident. Everything clicks.
  • One-third of the time, things feel… fine.
    Not amazing. Not terrible. You're showing up, doing the work, moving forward.
  • One-third of the time, things feel hard.
    Heavy. Uncertain. Frustrating. Emotional. Doubt creeps in.
And here's the key insight Emma shares on ASPIRE: 👉 The hard third is not a problem. It's part of the design. That one sentence alone can save you years of self-judgment. Why this matters for your mental health So many of us were taught — directly or indirectly — that if something is right, it should feel good most of the time. And when it doesn't, we assume:
  • "I'm failing."
  • "I've lost my spark."
  • "Something is wrong with me."
  • "Maybe I should quit."
But the Rule of Thirds gives us a truth-based framework instead of an emotional one. Hard days don't mean you're off track.
They mean you're in the hard third. And once you expect that third, you stop panicking when you land there. Let me teach you how to use this (Meredith-style) This isn't just an idea. It's a practice. 1. Identify the third you're in — without making it mean anything Instead of spiraling, try saying: "Ah. I'm in the hard third today." No drama.
No diagnosis.
No identity crisis. Emma talks on ASPIRE about how naming the season removes its power. You stop arguing with reality — and that alone regulates your nervous system. 2. Create three different ways to support yourself Because here's the truth:
You don't need the same version of yourself every day. Great third (expand):
  • take the risk
  • make the pitch
  • train harder
  • dream bigger
Okay third (maintain):
  • do the basics
  • keep promises small
  • one meaningful task
  • steady over spectacular
Hard third (protect):
  • fewer decisions
  • nervous system first
  • rest without guilt
  • minimum viable day
This isn't weakness.
This is wisdom. 3. Stop rewriting your identity in the hard third This is where most of the damage happens. On hard-third days, the mind loves to say:
  • "See? You're inconsistent."
  • "You've changed."
  • "You're losing momentum."
No.
You're human. Emma makes this distinction beautifully: if your life is always in the hard third, something needs support or adjustment. But visiting the hard third? That's not failure — that's growth. 4. Let this end comparison When you're watching someone online and thinking,
"How are they thriving all the time?" Remember:
You're seeing their good third, edited and curated. You have no idea what third they were in yesterday.
Or what third they're in when the camera's off. The Rule of Thirds brings you back into compassion — for yourself and for others. 5. Use it to be braver This might be my favorite part. Once you stop fearing the hard third, you stop building your life around avoiding discomfort. You stop waiting to feel "ready."
You stop postponing joy.
You stop thinking confidence comes before action. And if Broadway — especially performing through 9/11 and everything that followed — taught me anything, it's this: You don't get to a bigger life by skipping the hard parts.
You get there by learning you can survive them. A 2-minute practice for today Write this down or put it in your notes app:
  • Today I'm in the: Great / Okay / Hard third
  • What my mind is saying: _______
  • What's actually true: _______
  • One loving action I can take today: _______
That's it. That's the work. Journal Prompt Where am I judging myself for being in the hard third — instead of honoring it? If this episode landed for you, share it with someone who's been quietly struggling and thinking they're "behind." And if you are in the hard third right now, hear me clearly: You are not broken.
You are not failing.
You are not off track. You're just in the part that asks you to soften, simplify, and stay. Because bliss isn't something you earn when everything is easy. Bliss is your birthright. 💙

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