$pent Millennial

Dear Reader,

I have a confession.

I’m a fair-weather dog walker.

I love walking my dog. It’s one of my favorite parts of my daily routine. That is, as long as the weather isn’t too bad. 

Living in Wisconsin, we can get some pretty unfriendly days for dog walking. I am used to the cold and snow, but it adds a whole additional element when I have to baby my doggo’s cold paws and navigate icy patches with him pulling me. 

When the temperature drops below -20°F, or the sleet is falling from the sky and lining the ground in ice, I would rather sit it out.

Fortunately, I have the privilege of making that choice. My partner, who is far more resilient in bad weather, takes over when conditions push past my limits.

Being outside, staying active, and spending quality time with my dog are all important to me. They align with my values—things I strive to prioritize. But March has a way of testing those commitments. The lingering ice, the relentless wind, and the kind of cold that settles into your bones make it easy to justify skipping out.

Lately, I’ve noticed similar challenges creeping into other areas of my life—places where my values are being tested.

More broadly, it feels like we’re at a moment where deeper values are being questioned as the political and social atmosphere shifts.

Unlike dog walking, these aren’t things I can afford to set aside when they become inconvenient or uncomfortable. In fact, these are the times when it’s most important to stand firm.

I confess, exhaustion and discouragement have tempted me to take a step back—to disengage, to tell myself that maybe the fight isn’t worth it. Not to abandon my beliefs, but to let others carry the weight for a while.

But the truth is, even if I have the privilege of stepping back, many do not. And the reality is, circumstances can change in an instant—what feels like a secure position today could be vulnerable tomorrow. If it’s not okay for some, it’s not okay for any of us.

So I remind myself: my values aren’t just something to hold when it’s easy. They are something to live out loud and fight for, even when it’s hard.

This past week has been a reminder that I must rest, so that I do not burn out and get tempted to quit.  When I feel overwhelmed, I must pause, care for myself, and recharge, so I can keep going.

This has been weighing heavily on my mind this week as I watch, in real-time, how attitudes, priorities, and practices shift when the stakes rise. It’s in these moments that people show where they really stand—when it’s no longer comfortable.

There is so much I cannot control. I cannot control how others respond or what choices they make. But I can control my own. And I know that I am committed to standing in my beliefs, to living and fighting for my values—even if it’s unpopular, even when it’s messy.

As Kacey Musgraves says, “I’d rather lose for who I am than win for who I ain’t.”

So as we navigate these times, I encourage you to pay attention. Watch what people, companies, and brands stand for when it’s not trendy, convenient or “good for brand”. I know I will be.

As always, thank you for having coffee with me.

Until next week, take care.

Everett