Princess Margaret had it right – sometimes, you just need to step away from the to-do lists, take a deep breath, and live in the moment. Enjoy a random coffee date, say yes to an unexpected trip, or even just have a lazy Saturday without a single item checked off your schedule (shocking, I know!) .
For me, having a baby was such an overwhelmingly happy experience that there were times when I just wasn’t able to keep up with all of my old friendships the way I used to. It was never about not caring or not deeming those relationships important; it was about getting through sleepless nights, adjusting to a completely different kind of life, and figuring out what being a mom meant.
Fasting: the word itself can make some people shudder (hello, coffee addicts and snack lovers alike). As we kick off the year, my church has begun our annual corporate prayer and fasting journey. Every day, a new prayer focus is sent out, uniting us in spirit and purpose. But let’s be real for a second – fasting isn’t always a walk in the park. I know because I’ve been there.
Let’s face it. It can be wearing to always be the “strong” one. Whether it’s in your family or friend group, at your church, or the person who always seems to keep your office running smoothly, there’s that one person who makes it all work. The go-to. The encourager. The one who always knows the answers and the strength — even when they are running on fumes.
It came to a point where my procrastination started costing me big time. I remember missing out on an amazing job opportunity simply because I didn’t submit my application on time. I thought I’d wing it at the last minute like always but life had other plans. That gut-wrenching feeling of realizing I’d sabotaged myself was the slap I needed to wake up.
Let me set the scene: I was in a wilderness-not the scenic kind with Instagram-worthy views , but the emotional kind where nothing seemed to work out. Despite knocking on every door, every prayer bounced back with a divine NO lol. At the time, it felt like my life was crumbling. The more I prayed, bargained, and threw emotional tantrums, the more I looked like a toddler. However, no amount of blackmail, tears or heartfelt speeches seemed to move God. I felt abandoned, frustrated, and stuck.
Getting married takes you on a journey of discovery, a mystery, and at times, a TV show in which you and your partner are the main characters. It’s full of love, lessons, and moments that you think, “Nobody warned me about this!” In hindsight, here are five things I wish I could have known before saying, “I do.”
I have learned that if I don’t pour into myself, there’s not much left to give to those I love. That’s why I’m so intentional about nurturing the habits that make me feel like me.
