I used to feel so much pressure to perform; to meet a certain standard at work and in life. And the worst part was, the bulk of this pressure was internal; something I demanded of myself. And then Adrian died, and I realized I didn’t have it in me to keep up with these illusory standards; some days it literally took everything in me just to crawl out of bed.
I wrote this blog post during those early days. It’s still pretty darn true.
We don’t have to meet every deadline. We don’t have to greet every day with a perfect smile. Some days require all of my energy to throw back the covers and put my feet on the floor. And on those days, that is my something. And on others, I have learned to bargain.
Downloadable graphics for “You are under no obligation to greet every day with a smile”:
![Sea Glass Parenting Baby Loss Remembrance print: "[Insert name] I would the sky with your name if I could" in white lettering on a background of dark blue and purple starry sky](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/25120211/SGPrintFlat-I-Would-Paint-The-Sky-With-Your-Name-If-I-Could-1.jpg)
![The month of October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month. Honoring all children lost too soon, including my child: [fill in the blank] - Sea Glass Parenting](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/30130345/Pregnancy-And-Infant-Loss-Awareness-Month-In-Honor-Of-My-Child-1-3.jpg)
![Birthday message for deceased child card: Happy Birthday, [Fill in name]. I love you - Sea Glass Parenting](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/26130207/SGPCardFlat-Happy-Birthday-I-Love-You-Fill-In-Name-Birthday-Cake-IG-8.jpg)
![This random act of kindness performed in memory of : [fill in the blank]. Please pass the kindness along to help keep their memory alive.](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/18095256/Act-Of-Kindness-In-Memory-Of-Card-2.png)
![Birthday wishes after death card: Thinking of you with love on your child's Birthday. [Blank inside.] - Sea Glass Parenting](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/26130137/SGPCardFlat-Thinking-Of-You-On-Your-Childrens-Birthday-Envelope-Heart-Blank-Inside-IG-12.jpg)
!["This is my [Fill in the Blank] Mother's Day. Thank you for remembering and honoring my child and my motherhood this year" in blue text inside a white circle surrounded by a yellow abstract design. Five pink and green flowers surround the image.](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/27094844/4.png)
![Baby loss greeting card: In honor of the birthday of [fill in the blank], I have made a donation to [fill in the blank] - Sea Glass Parenting](https://adrianselephantpanda2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/22174434/SGPCardFlat-In-Honor-Of-Your-Childs-Birthday-I-Made-A-Donation-To-IG-9.jpg)
