Give Yourself A Break: Why Doing Our Best Can Look Different Every Day
- Words by Kelley Sheenan
Here’s a question for you: do you think, in general, that people are doing the best they can? When academic and author Brené Brown was posed this question by her own therapist, her response was, “Are you kidding me?” When I initially read this in Brené’s book, Rising Strong, I had a similar reaction. Surely not. Especially not those who were not doing their very sustainable best, those not marching in the streets for equality, those not treating others with kindness and respect at every possible opportunity. But Brené’s husband, Steve, had an answer that hit home for Brené, and also for myself. “I don’t know. I really don’t,” he said. “All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgement and lets me focus on what is, and not what should or could be.”
Oof. It’s a long fall down from the self-righteousness pedestal. Brené went on to research this very question, finding that ultimately yes, most people are doing the best they can, with the resources they have, with the tools they have at their disposal, with where they are at in life, and with what they can manage at the time. Just to be clear, this doesn’t mean that people are not accountable for their actions. As Brené explains: “Do I believe that serial killers and terrorists are doing the best they can? Yes. And their best is dangerous, which is why I believe we should catch them, lock them up, and assess whether they can be helped. If they can’t, they should stay locked up. That’s how compassion and accountability work.” Admittedly, there are a certain few war criminals and politicians I would like to reserve judgement for. However, assuming that most people are doing their best, at the very least, helps us respect people as they are and not who they could or should be.
And now here’s the kicker. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same grace. Outrageous! Often the most pressure impressed upon us comes from within. We can be our own worst enemies – if internal berating was an Olympic sport I would be firmly on that podium, medal between my teeth.
Often the most pressure impressed upon us comes from within. We can be our own worst enemies – if internal berating was an Olympic sport I would be firmly on that podium, medal between my teeth.
Turning that question back on ourselves is a liberating and eye-opening experience. The thing is, doing our best can look different to everyone. It can look different to ourselves, day to day, hour to hour. And it’s obvious to say, but there’s a LOT going on right now. There’s been a LOT going on for almost five years, and I’m certain there’s a global exhaustion happening. We are tired, oh so tired. Costs are rising, human rights are under attack, small businesses are flailing, the climate is changing, and there are political dumpster fires raging around us.
Getting out of bed might be doing your best. Heck, not getting out of bed qualifies as self-care. Right now, we all deserve a participation award for just getting through the day . It needs to be said that this doesn’t mean that we get to flip our privilege into “poor me”. I just think it’s ok to give ourselves a break and some compassion, while knowing that most others are not out there living their best, perfectly-curated lives while we are struggling on alone.
As our cover artist for Issue 62, Jess Bird, explained when asked why she started her art- and heart-filled Instagram account: “I posted on there about being imperfect, and sometimes sad, and being on meds, and feeling like I’m failing, but also doing my best.” She continued by so poignantly saying: “Knowing we are not alone is vital to helping us move forward. Feeling seen in our experiences helps us to feel validated in them and that helps us make space to heal … I hope people know they’re not alone in this complete hellscape of humanity we’re all trying to pilot.”
So, you did your best today? You get an award! She gets an award! He gets an award! They get an award! Your best might be better tomorrow – or not (and that’s ok, too). Your best is always evolving, your toolkit ever-changing, your knowledge forever growing. Be gentle with yourself (and those around you).
WORDS: KELLEY SHEENAN / PEPPERMINT FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF. EXTRACTED FROM ISSUE 62
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NEW PATTERN ALERT 🎉
She’s giving comfort, she’s giving style, she’s giving palate-cleansing sewing. There’s nothing quite like an easy breezy dress that’s not only a dream to wear but a delight to sew, and the NEW Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress delivers!
Cute, classic and cool with a touch of retro: the Myrtle Shift Dress is a beginner-friendly make with sleek lines and elegant curves. Bust darts are in play for shaping and spacious pockets to hold all your treasures. Top-stitching detail around the neck and armholes invites creative contrast threads and the keyhole loop closure at the back neck begs for a feature button (or a tie closure!).
Myrtle cuts above the knee with options to customise the length. Don’t think she’s reserved for hot weather either: try a heavier-weight fabric to turn your Myrtle into a pinafore-style garment for layering.
For our fabrics we chose two from @Karmme_Apparel – the bold Rottnest Stripes in a lightweight, soft-drape cotton, and the quality linen in the handpainted Mexico Collection. Karmme also stocks darling tassels so we popped a hot pink one on as a closure!
The love child of Imby Langenbach, Karmme Apparel (fittingly pronounced ‘calm’), is a haven of boho apparel sewing patterns alongside complementary fabrics steeped in tradition with modern iterations from Jaipur, India. Hand block-printed and digitally printed soft cottons produced by Indian artisans showcase rich colours and designs from Imby’s travels, perfect for showing off me-made masterpieces.
Our dresses were superbly stitched by our sewing manager @Laura_The_Maker, and modelled magnificently by Shannon @Pins_And_Tonic and Serah @SerahSews. And that perfect pink wall was courtesy of the good folk at @ShareTheDignityAustralia, an organisation that aims to bring dignity to women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty.
Get making the Myrtle – the only question is, can you stop at just one?
Link in bio 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Sewist: @Laura_The_Maker
Patternmaker: @GarmentaApparel
Models: @SerahSews and @Pins_And_Tonic
Fabric: @Karmme_Apparel
#PeppermintMyrtleShiftDress #PeppermintPatterns
Connection 🫶🏻
Such great ideas from @GrowWithColby:
“A common theme I noticed in 2025:
Everyone is craving more connection.
Use these friend nights to make it happen in 2026.
Send this to the people you want to do these with.”
#Connection #Friends #Community
No bull - these pants are the cat`s (or cow`s) pyjamas...
Jenny from @RhubarbSundays:
And they are done! My @PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintFernPleatedPants made using a gorgeous fabric from @IndyBindyFabrics! I absolutely love this fabric! It’s soft and drapes beautifully. And the best thing about it is that, from a distance, it looks like an abstract print and then you look closer and theres a curious bull looking right at you. 🤣🤣 🐄 🐮
Really happy with the end product. They are very comfy! I didn’t make many changes to the pattern. Just a touch more room in the rise and a little bit off the waist. I’ll post some closeups of the details tomorrow when I actually take them off. 🤣 "
Grab the pattern from the link in bio!
#PeppermintPatterns #IMakeMyOwnClothes #ClothesThatFeelLikePyjamas #SewersGonnaSew
Missed issue 64 at the newsagent?
Grab a digital copy from our website and read it whenever you like. 📱💻️
Link in bio! 💜
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🌤 Festival forecast: high creativity, with a strong chance of radical hope on the horizon.
If you’ve been craving a little colour in your calendar, consider this your sign. This May, the Sunshine Coast’s much-loved Horizon Festival is celebrating ten years of art, imagination and joyful gathering, returning from 1–10 May on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country.
For ten glorious days, beaches, streets, galleries and unexpected corners of the coast become places to wander, wonder and play. There’s music drifting on the sea breeze, performances that make you feel things, art you can step inside, and plenty of moments where you’re invited to join in rather than just watch. With 35+ events across the region (many of them free), expect live music, First Nations gatherings, immersive dance, family-friendly fun, writers’ talks, artist markets and more. At its heart, @HorizonArtFest is a celebration of people, place and shared imagination, honouring the first artists and storytellers, while making space for new voices and bold ideas.
Then there’s ‘Radical Hope Machine 2’: an immersive exhibition at Caloundra’s new Library+ that will fuse textiles, technology and storytelling. Featuring textile artist @Shaye_Hardisty, award-winning author Peter Carnavas and artist Sarah Winter, this series of events explores what hope looks, feels and sounds like to the Sunshine Coast community in response to the question: ‘how to solve the world’s wicked problems?’ We spoke with Shaye about tech vs textiles, magical garments and tiny joys.
Read more at the link in bio!
Photos: @HorizonArtFest
#HorizonFestival SunshineCoastEvents
Style, sass and simplicity: Miss Myrtle is almost here! 💕
Lay your peepers on the new Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress – this sensational sewing pattern is going to be winging its way to subscribers inboxes this Sunday 1st March at 11am, so if you`re not a subscriber already, you know what to do!
We created this pattern with the support of @Karmme_Apparel – and how gorgeous are those fabrics! The love child of Imby Langenbach, Karmme Apparel (fittingly pronounced ‘calm’), is a haven of boho apparel sewing patterns alongside fabrics steeped in traditions with modern iterations from Jaipur, India.
Modelled magnificently by Shannon @Pins_And_Tonic and Serah @SerahSews, the Myrtle Shift Dress is a beginner-friendly make with sleek lines and elegant curves. You won’t be able to stop at just one!
Subscribers – keep an eye on your inbox on Sunday for your exclusive download code. Everyone else - subscribe now before Sunday so you don`t miss out!
Launch date: 5th March 💕
Link in bio 💕
Pink wall courtesy of the good folk at @ShareTheDignityAustralia, an organisation that aims to bring dignity to women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty. 💕
Sewing and instructions: @Laura_The_Maker
Photos: @KelleySheenan
#PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintMyrtleShiftDress
