I Am Enough
Hello Friendly Readers,
I ended 2023 with a broken ankle and here’s what I am learning:
New Year’s Day is just another day with a broken ankle.
The first two weeks of 2024 feel the same as the last two weeks of 2023 and that’s okay.
Every email I receive is about something else I need to be doing in 2024.
The pressure to be Merry and Happy is unnecessary, what if we just BE whatever we are and gather or don’t depending on the season of life you’re in
Doing, doing, doing, that’s what every link, every email, and everyday suggests, to do more. So I’m suggesting doing less this year.
Here’s what slowing down is doing to me. It’s making me:
Think about what I need before I leave a room
Aware of how many times I walk back and forth in my house in a day (too many to count!)
Grateful for the movements so many take for granted
Notice the Christmas decorations will probably be up until mid January when I can walk without crutches and that’s okay
Take calm breaths when the floor is covered in toys
Aware that when moms go down they don’t get to be down. Everyday my kids still need my love, attention, breastmilk, cuddles, and reassurance that this too will pass.
Remember how injuries force us to slow down and when we can be in the moment it is a blessing. I’m watching my daughter stand and cruise, knowing one day soon she’s going to let go and start walking into open spaces, and I’ll witness it all.
Realize who shows up even when they are struggling too.
Top 2 Things I Learned from Doing Less:
#1. Children love messes! They love to make them and play in them. Because they like to make them and play in them it’s okay to leave the mess for them to play. This is coming from someone who puts toys away 3-7 times a day depending on the day.
#2. To listen to my inner knowing. Before the break I kept hearing a voice saying slow down, don’t miss this. You don’t want to miss this. I didn’t listen.
This is my reminder to you, if you find yourself rushing through the moments and you’re telling yourself you can’t sit down and relax—there’s no time, it’s a lie.
You can sit and do less, you can sit with the messes around you, you don’t have to do everything all the time. You don’t have to break your ankle or hurt yourself to slow down. If you’re exhausted and running on empty, even more of a reason to stop over scheduling and over doing. I know this is easier said than done, an object in motion stays in motion. But take it from an object that was forced to stop, you can slow down now. You can do less now.
You are enough even when you aren’t doing anything.
Happy Holidays!
Love Always,
Danielle Mallett
