Master your emotions with confidence

The ponderings of a Feral Housewife

Issue # 73 || June 20, 2025 || Previous issues​

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Hey Reader,

Everyone wants to be successful.

At something.

But what does success mean to you?

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The truth about success

Success is a measuring stick, but you get to choose the stick.

• What are you measuring?
• Whose standards are you using?
• Where did those standards come from?

The truth is, you get to define what success looks like for you.

But failure? That's often easier to spot—and harder on the ego.

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The truth about failure

Failure stings, but it's only critical when it involves things that truly matter.

So, what does failing at life look like? Here’s a list of choices that might lead you there:

• Ignoring what grounds you (faith, purpose, or values).
• Holding grudges or seeking revenge.
• Pretending to be someone you’re not.
• Neglecting rest, hydration, nutrition, or exercise.
• Lying to yourself or others.
• Treating others as inferior or disliking people different from you.
• Comparing yourself to others or chasing perfection.
• Giving up on what matters when things get tough.
• Having virtues—as long as they don't get in the way of what you want
• Not bothering to control your emotions—everyone has to 'love' you just the way you are
• Expecting everything to go your way all the time
• Controlling everything and everyone and if you can't—dominate

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The common thread?

These choices harm you or others. But here’s the good news: failure is a choice, not a reflection of your worth.

We can choose to do better, to be better, one small act at a time.

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As Ryan Holiday puts it:

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I wish for you three things...self-awareness, self-compassion, and patience.

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Riddles: a surprising lesson

I've always shied away from riddles.

Riddles make me feel dumb and mentally lazy.

Is this true about me?

Of course not!

My brain’s usually in overdrive (writing is hard work!), but riddles stump me.

Everyone is intelligent in some way (did you know there are 7+ categories of intelligence?).

This morning I got a riddle in my inbox and decided to give it a shot. I told myself, it's mental exercise.

And you know what? It was humbling but enlightening. My husband solved it instantly, while I was stuck. With his coaching, I finally got it—and then I helped my son solve it too.

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Here's what riddles can teach us

• To think creatively aka think outside the box.
• To pay attention to what's there, or not there. Observation skills!
• Be patient with yourself.
• To be open to new ides and new ways of seeing or solving problems.
• It's ok to ask for help.

The riddle reminded me that sometimes we can get so fixed in one mindset or perspective that we don't see options.

We get stuck in a thinking rut.

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Ready to try it?

The answer is simple, once you see it.

Don't be shy about asking for a hint if you're stuck.

Reply with your guess or share a favorite riddle or two of your own.

I'm incorporating riddles in my life as a way to stretch my brain and teach my son to think creatively.

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In Summary

-You define success.

-Failure is a choice, not your identity.

-Riddles aren't just about intelligence—they’re about observation and flexibility.

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Until our next feral, fun, Friday adventure, keep choosing what moves you toward your version of success.

Warmly,

Anna

P.S. If you're enjoying this newsletter why not forward it to a friend?

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​www.aferalhousewife.com​

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This weekly newsletter is a labor of my creative love meant to inspire you to intentionally grow in all areas of life, especially emotionally, because what you think and how you feel influences everything. ​ If you're enjoying this newsletter why not forward it to a friend? ​ Or send them a subscribe link: ​​​​Start Mastering Your Emotions with Confidence Today!​ ​ Heal your inner world to heal your outer world. ​ With love, Anna Celotto Creative & Digital Writer