Lowering the bar feels like relief for about a week. Then it just feels like the floor.

Dropping your standard gives instant relief, and the relief is exactly why it feels like a smart decision. What follows is that the lower level becomes normal, so the same pressure returns at that height and you got nothing permanent for what you gave up. The bar quietly settles wherever you last left it.

If something has to give this week, cut the amount instead of the quality. Do half as much at full standard. Keep the bar where it was, even on the smaller version.