Now is probably a good time to officially admit that I need a reset—desperately.
I want a fresh start in the worst possible way because most things feel like an existential crisis these days.
It could very well be the nature of the end-of-school season (also known as Maycember—for good reason, I might add). Despite my best efforts and attempt to not over-schedule our family, here we are trying to juggle all the things.
I know this is temporary, but I also know that if I don’t document my feelings and current state of mind in some shape or form, I will inevitably fall back into the same pattern (likely for back-to-school season, if I’m being honest).
The issue is not in all the things in and of themselves. The issue is that when I place my focus and energy on all the activities, events, and responsibilities that come barreling our way, I quickly lose sight of what truly matters to me and how I want to show up in the world.
I know I’m a little late to the game, but I recently read Atomic Habits by James Clear, and the one concept I keep coming back to is identity-based habits. This simple, yet profound, quote sums it all up beautifully:
Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you want to become.
So, this one piece led me down yet another existential crisis. One where I ask myself, “Who do I want to become?”
The person I want to become is not far out of reach at all. It’s actually quite simple but requires daily intentionality on my part.
I want to be the type of person who:
As it turns out, I’ve been unintentionally casting votes for the wrong person—someone who is chronically exhausted and stretched thin for the sake of “keeping up.” I am done making decisions for me and my family based on fear (mostly fear of my kids missing out if they don’t attend a friend’s birthday party or if we decide to stay home on the weekend).
To hold myself accountable, I am planning to share photographic evidence over the next few weeks of me living out the life of the person I want to become. My hope is that by doing so, I will become her—and just having a plan to use my camera more is already a step in the right direction.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What type of person do you want to become?
I love and relate to this post, but most of all, I love the photo at the end!❤️ You are embodying the person you want to become in this moment.
Oohh I love this. I have a friend who says she’s stacking bricks, similar to casting votes. Realizing you’re casting votes for the wrong person can be so uncomfortable and now you get to grow into that person you want to be with intentionality.
This year I’m becoming a woman who chooses and chases joy. I radiate joy.