After a year of caregiving, loss, and putting everything else before herself, Alina made a simple decision — she cut her hair.

What followed wasn’t just a new look… it was a wave of opinions, judgment, and unexpected reactions from people who felt entitled to weigh in.

In this episode of The Last Two Percent, Alina opens up about the moment that sparked “The Great Hair Debate” — and how something as personal as a haircut revealed deeper truths about identity, grief, healing, and the courage it takes to choose yourself again.

This isn’t just about hair.
It’s about letting go.
It’s about reclaiming your voice.
It’s about the last two percent — the part no one sees, but changes everything.

This is Alina Patton Jones from The Last Two Percent, thanks for listening. Would love to hear from you, follow me on instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/alina_patton

Why do we show up for everyone else—but leave ourselves for last? In this episode of The Last Two Percent, I dive into the real reasons so many of us struggle to put ourselves first—and how to begin creating habits that center your needs without guilt.

To help guide that shift, I reference Gretchen Rubin’s insightful framework from her book The Four Tendencies, which breaks people down by how they respond to expectations:

• Upholders meet both inner and outer expectations
• Questioners question all expectations; they’ll meet an expectation if it makes sense to them
• Obligers readily meet outer expectations but struggle with inner ones (often putting themselves last)
• Rebels resist all expectations—both outer and inner

Understanding which tendency you fall into can help you design habits, systems, and boundaries that actually work for your personality—and support your journey to stop putting yourself second.

💛 A huge thank you to @gretchenrubin for her groundbreaking work in The Four Tendencies, which serves as a foundation for this episode’s insights.

Inside this episode:

• Why self-prioritization feels uncomfortable but is essential
• How your tendency may be shaping your patterns around burnout, boundaries, and follow-through
• Specific tips tailored to each tendency to start putting “you first”
• A mindset shift to help you reclaim your energy, time, and attention

This is your moment to stop waiting for permission—and start showing up for you.

This is Alina Patton Jones from The Last Two Percent, thanks for listening. Would love to hear from you, follow me on instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/alina_patton

The Last Two Percent: Burnout Edition
Breaking the cycle of exhaustion and reclaiming your energy.

As I talk to people—family, friends, even strangers on the street—one thing is clear: everyone is experiencing burnout. It’s not just work; it’s everything. The uncertainty of the future, the relentless news cycle, and the constant crises of daily life—it all takes a toll. We’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and struggling to keep up.

Have you ever just hit a wall—physically, mentally, emotionally—where you feel like you have nothing left to give? Burnout isn’t just exhaustion; it’s feeling stuck and disconnected. And you’re not alone. Everywhere I turn—family, friends, even strangers on the street—everyone is experiencing burnout. It’s not just work; it’s everything. The uncertainty of the future, the relentless news cycle, and the constant crises of daily life all take a toll.

When You Hit Burnout...From Overwhelm to Empowerment is a space to unpack the weight of burnout—not just what causes it, but how we heal from it. Through raw conversations, personal insights, and real-life stories, we’ll uncover the tools to reset, recharge, and reclaim your energy—so you can keep going.

This is Alina Patton Jones from The Last Two Percent, thanks for listening. Would love to hear from you, follow me on instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/alina_patton