How many times have we said, “In two weeks, when things calm down…” only to find ourselves saying it again two weeks later? If we’re not careful, we can spend our whole lives waiting—until suddenly we’re wondering, “What was it all for?”
I don’t want to live on pause. I want to be awake to my life as it is right now. To rise in the morning with a grateful heart, laugh with people I love, and delight in the joys of little, ordinary moments. So here’s a practice that helps me come back to center:
Whenever I catch myself thinking “in two weeks,” I stop. I notice. I breathe. And then I do something small but intentional that connects me to the life I want to be living. Maybe it’s playing fetch with my dog. Maybe it’s getting up from my desk and stepping outside to feel the sunshine on my face and arms. But usually, it’s taking 10 minutes to handwrite a list and clear the mental clutter.
My brain dump becomes a kind of prayer—an offering of all the swirling responsibilities, worries, and to-dos pinging around in my head. I lay them down on paper without judgment. Then I sort them: home, work, family. Projects (multi-step commitments), tasks (one-and-done’s), and to-dos (errands or home chores). I note worries, grocery items I need to restock, questions that are on my mind. Then I ask, What’s urgent? What’s necessary? And perhaps most important, but usually postponed: What’s my heart calling for?
One freeing truth I’ve embraced is that life is Both/And. We can be both busy and still be present. We can be both productive and restful. We can show up fully to our duties and also create space for renewal and joy. It’s not about perfect balance every moment, but about honoring both our responsibilities and our need for soul nourishment. When we hold both, life becomes richer, not harder.
This isn’t about ignoring duties. It’s about honoring our soul’s need for joy, presence, and meaning. It’s about working with focus so that rest can be sacred, not guilty—giving your full attention to what and who you love, when you have the chance to love them.
For example, when I look at my day, I often underestimate how long things will take or how many tasks I can realistically complete. Seeing my projects separated from simple tasks helps me choose wisely. For instance, I might realize that while I can’t start a big project before I have to leave, I can still do a small, grounding act—like switching the laundry or taking a few mindful breaths—that honors both my responsibilities and my need for calm.
The world moves fast. It tells us that our worth comes from doing more, faster, better. But the deeper truth is that we are already enough. When we live in alignment with that truth, we bring more light to those around us and more joy into our lives.
Don’t wait two weeks. Take one small step today toward the life your soul is hungry for.
To small steps and soulful days,
P.S. – If you missed my earlier message on Progress Over Perfection—all about taking small, meaningful steps toward your goals—you can find it here. It’s a gentle companion to this reflection and a reminder that even the tiniest step forward can help us get unstuck and move mountains.
