That's What She Said... About Living Life Out Loud
This past weekend, I ran The Office 5K in Scranton, PA—and yes, I ran it dressed as Jim Halpert from Season 2, Episode 5: "Halloween." It was a simple, clever, and irreverent costume (that drove Dwight crazy). As I ran (ok, jogged) those hilly 3.1 miles, a few powerful life lessons came into full focus, shaped by the experience and elevated by some deeper reflection.
Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously
Life is short. It is too short to worry about what people think of your costume, your pace, or your quirks. It is too short not to laugh at yourself. It is too short not to find joy in a themed 5K, dressed like a paper product.
Running in costume reminded me of the importance of levity. I smiled through the miles, not despite the hills but because of them. I wasn't out there chasing a PR—I was chasing presence (I even stopped a few times to snap pictures of some iconic Scranton scenes). We can get so caught up in proving our worth that we forget we already have it. Confidence isn't about being the fastest or the most polished—it's about being real. And honestly, there's something deeply liberating about showing up as a three-hole punch and calling it a day.
Be Grateful for the Ones Who See You
My husband is not a runner, but he is my runner's heart—my number one fan. He flew to Scranton to cheer me on, donning an "assistant to the regional manager" shirt with total commitment (IFKYK).
In a world that often asks us to be more, do more, and achieve more, it's a rare and beautiful gift to be loved exactly as you are. To be supported in your passions, even if they're not shared. That kind of unconditional presence? That's what makes life complete.
When practiced deeply, gratitude becomes a mirror. It reflects all the love we receive—sometimes quietly, sometimes in The Office-themed T-shirts—and reminds us we don't have to run alone.
Live Life Out Loud
Running this race, in this body, at this moment, felt like a celebration—not just of fitness but of freedom. A freedom to be fully alive, express joy, dress up, connect, and experience. A freedom to be.
Lately, I've been immersing myself in the philosophy of Stoicism, primarily through the work of Ryan Holiday. Stoicism's core message isn't stoic silence—it's purposeful action. It's about living each day with intention, not wasting a single heartbeat. It's about enduring with grace and choosing joy anyway.
So, here's the truth: life is happening now. We don't get to press pause. And while we don't control the course—how steep and winding—it is still ours to run. Loudly. Proudly. In costume, even.
An extraordinary kind of empowerment comes when we blend wisdom and whimsy, find meaning in the mundane, chase joy, and embrace every part of ourselves—the silly, the strong, the soulful.
The next time life presents you with a metaphorical 5K—show up. Wear the costume. Thank your cheerleaders. And run with your whole heart.
Because this moment? It matters.
And you—as you are—are more than enough to meet it.
Love and light,
Shelley