This Is the Season of Life I’m In Right Now
As a mom, it seems like the season of life are constantly changing, and quickly.
One minute, it’s diapers and no sleep. Right now, it’s the accumulation of sports, school projects, and friend drama.
When Life Feels Full in a Different Way
I look back to this time last year, and take a breath. Nothing outwardly has changed. I’m still running from sport to sport, school pickups, and dealing with the never-ending “what’s for dinner?” question. But this year, everything seems easier. Flows better. The only change I can pinpoint is feeling aligned with my seasons. Literally and figuratively.
School is about to wrap up, and surprisingly, we only have 1 activity ending this week. The boys are still in spring hockey (ice and roller), and the Kidstrong program runs year-round. Honestly, though, how is the school year already done? While I’m ready to have them home and not have to look at Tupperware until their 2 camp weeks, it does mean the schedule shuffle happens.
And even that, last year, I felt way more stressed about how I was going to make things work, but this year, it’ll work out. It always does. I have the village I’ve built, and their support is invaluable.
A Calendar That Looks Chaotic on Paper
As we’re into June, and June’s calendar is full. I’m full in all of my life buckets. Horses, between volunteering for Grace’s Legacy, auditing a Tik Maynard clinic, and riding lessons, it’s overflowing. Community, attending church and the groups there, neighbourhood bbqs, and end-of-year school events. Friends and family, we have a wedding at the end of the month, the boy’s birthday party, and of course, Father’s Day. I even made time for a concert!
The calendar involves some juggling and looks crazy, but it all works. I am saying yes to the things I love and no to everything else. I’m being more discerning with my time and who gets it.
I’m making space for the things that light me up.
I usually attend the ballet gala around this time but I skipped it (first time in 10 years) to go to the 5 Seconds of Summer concert (totally worth it, a totally different art vibe).
At the end of the day, I’m showing more gratitude for the life I live. I make sure to acknowledge it and be thankful. I’ve changed my mindset about how I structure my days, and thinking about things in terms of streaks works for me. Don’t want to break that streak, even if it’s just in my head.
This is the Season of Life I’m Choosing
It’s wild to me that I’ve been CONSISTENTLY consistent over the past 5 months, in the majority of my life. Cleaning has become maintenance, not three-day deep cleans. Purging is consistently happening, and so is donating. Writing (blog, journal, newsletter) has been happening. Social media is consistent (I’m at a 79-week streak!) Meal planning, prepping, and cooking. Riding. The only part I haven’t been able to pick up yet is working out, but that’s coming. I’ve been making a new plan.
I feel like I’ve always struggled with consistency and returning to the routine once it’s been broken. This is the first time I’ve done it on my own, even when I don’t want to. I’m very excited about this new change of perspective and I’m excited to continue it on throughout the rest of the coming years.
The funny thing is that nothing on paper looks dramatically different. The calendar is still full. The boys still need to be driven places. There are still dinners to cook, lunches to pack, horses to ride, and laundry to fold. But somewhere along the way, I stopped wishing for a different season and started settling into the one I’m in.
Maybe that’s what alignment actually feels like. Not having less to do, but feeling at peace with the things you’ve chosen to fill your days with. And, for the chronic future planner in me, being less about my future and more in the present.
I’d love to know: what season of life are you finding yourself in right now?
J x