A lot of founders assume business has to feel heavy: think constant pressure, striving, and proving yourself. In this episode, Erin and Elana talk about what happens when you loosen your grip without checking out.
Erin shares the latest on her emotional sabbatical: not a break from working, but a break from the inner pressure, drama, and self-inflicted urgency that can turn entrepreneurship into a serious grind. That experiment led to a surprising creative project (an oracle deck) and a deeper experience of what playfulness actually does for decision-making, leadership, and momentum.
Elana brings the counterpoint, with her own “sprint season,” where the volume of responsibilities force a kind of non-attachment by necessity. Together, they explore the difference between healthy non-attachment and hiding, and why the skill that matters most isn’t “never caring," but being kind to yourself when things don’t go the way you hoped.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What an “emotional sabbatical” looks like in real life (and why it’s not the same as stopping work)
- The difference between being focused vs. being hypervigilant
- How creative play can create better business outcomes
- The hidden cost of self-punishment after disappointment, and what to do instead
- The “$10,000 learning” frame: how to turn an apparent failure into future value
Connect with us:
Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can check out her free content here and learn more about coaching with her here.
Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller "Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach.
Learn more at besuperabound.com
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