Welcome to the Blooming Mindset, a weekly dose of clarity, mindset, and practical wisdom to help you stay consistent, think more deeply, and build a life aligned with your identity and purpose. I’m Ruth Rieckehoff, and I’m so glad you’re here. Please share this newsletter with a friend!
Beloved Architect of Identity,
I almost ruined a dream trip because of a pair of “good” shoes.
Not bad shoes.
Not cheap shoes.
Not even uncomfortable shoes.
Just… not my shoes.
Several years ago, I planned a two-week trip through Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. Palaces. Castles. Long walks. The kind of trip I love.
I planned everything. Including my outfits.
And especially my shoes.
My feet are a bit crooked. Something I was born with. Finding shoes I can walk in all day is… an art. Over the years, I’d found my solution: Tevas (sporty sandals). Not cute. Not elegant. But reliable. I could walk 10–15 miles and be fine.
But this time, I wanted to look better.
I kept hearing about Birkenstocks (German leather sandals). Everyone in travel groups loved them. “Orthopedic.” “So comfortable.” “Perfect for Europe.”
So I bought a pair. Tried them. They seemed fine.
They became my main walking shoes. My workhorses.
Big mistake.
Day 1. Budapest.
By midday, my feet were on fire.
Three hours in, one of the straps had cut into the top of my left foot. I was bleeding. I stuffed a napkin between my skin and the sandal just to survive the afternoon.
I was miserable.
Day 2, I switched to my backup sneakers. But I knew the truth.
There was no way I was surviving two weeks like this.
So when we arrived in Vienna, I did the walk of shame: I went online and searched for… Tevas.
The same brand I had left at home.
Three pairs. Sitting in my closet.
And here’s the almost funny part: there was a sports store selling them on the same street we were staying on. Limited selection. But I found a pair.
The rest of the trip? A breeze.
To this day, I still have a scar on my foot.
And it reminds me of something much bigger than shoes.
How often do we do this in business?
We know what works for us.
We know our rhythms.
We know the simple plan we can actually execute.
But we abandon it.
Because someone else is doing something flashier.
Because something looks more impressive.
Because we want approval. Or aesthetics. Or the feeling of being “up to date.”
So we leave our Tevas at home.
And then we wonder why everything feels harder than it needs to be.
Most businesses don’t need more complexity.
They need a simpler machine they actually run.
Find: let people discover you.
Nurture: help them for free.
Offer: sell something that solves a real problem.
Then do the unsexy part:
Break work into small tasks.
Decide what gets done before you sit down.
Start the timer. Work.
Execution is a skill. Not a personality trait.
And changing direction too early is just another form of pain avoidance.
If you don’t choose what truly fits you, you’ll pay for it anyway.
In time. In money. In energy. In peace.
Ask me how I know.
Until next time, keep blooming,
Ruth
Reflect
- Where in your business are you wearing “Birkenstocks” when you already know your “Tevas” work better?
- What simple plan are you avoiding because it doesn’t look impressive enough?
Reframe
Old belief: “If it looks better or sounds more sophisticated, it must be better.”
New belief: “If it fits my reality and I can execute it consistently, it wins.”
In Other News
If you need help determining which courses and programs actually work for you, make sure you take a look at the Aligned Choice Guide.
Product & Resources
Reflection to Revenue – A rapid-response GPT that turns any setback into a clear action plan or monetizable asset in minutes. Setbacks → Clarity → Action →Revenue
Rooted Flow System – Design systems so you can stay consistent, manage your energy, and grow your business without losing your peace.
From Reactive to Rooted – Tired of putting out fires? This mindset and action guide helps you shift from scattered to strategic, so your days flow from clarity, not chaos.
P.S. You don’t need trendier shoes. You need the ones that can carry you the whole way. I am curious, have you ever had an experience where a dreamy pair of shoes let you down?
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