The 'right time' myth
How I almost missed out on magic
"I have too much going on."
"I just need a week to get things in order."
"Once I finish X, then I can fit Y in."
We've all heard these phrases, perhaps even said them to ourselves. I’ve seen enough research to know that humans aren't great at estimating how long tasks will take but I'd like to submit into evidence that we're equally poor at identifying WHEN an activity should happen.
I'll admit that whenever I receive a request for quality time, my brain immediately tends to err on the side of "now isn't a good time." Just a month ago, we moved to Texas and are very much still in the furniture-building stage. So, when family said they wanted to visit, I almost had a panic attack.
My house is in disarray.
I'm trying my best to homeschool the kids.
I'm finally finding my rhythm at work again.
The work-life balance advocate inside me was screaming about having boundaries. But if I'm being honest, living on an island meant I didn’t get to see my family as often as I wanted and I truly missed them. I realized I was letting perfection be the enemy of presence.
This situation forced me to ask myself what was truly important. Relationships are at the top of my priority list, so why was I questioning spending time with family I hadn't seen in almost a year? The answer was all about recognizing that meaningful connections don't require perfect circumstances. I’m happy to report that we’ve spent the last week together and it’s been absolutely magical. Has it also been crazy? Yes, but it’s also been so much fun. I mean, we stumbled on an honest to goodness roller derby. A time was had and I will cherish these wacky, wonderful memories forever.
We often postpone joy, waiting for the "right time" that may never come. But life happens in the messy moments, the imperfect gatherings, the spontaneous connections. By prioritizing presence over perfection, we open ourselves to richer experiences and deeper relationships.
So, the next time you find yourself saying, "I'll do it when things calm down," stop and ask yourself,
Am I about to miss out on something amazing just because the stars aren't perfectly aligned?
Trust me, I get it. That nagging voice inside your head screaming about the mess, the unfinished tasks, the chaos – it's loud. But you know what's louder?
The laughter of family gathered in your half-furnished living room.
The cheers from the sidelines of your kids’ first meet for a new swim club.
The joy of conversations that flow late into the night on air mattresses.
Those are the moments that fill our hearts and make life rich. So go ahead, embrace the beautiful mess. After all, the most perfect moments are often the ones we choose to dive into, imperfections and all.
Journal prompt: What incredible memories are you willing to make today, despite the chaos?
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Have a beautiful week and continue the good work towards being rich in what matters most!
P.S. If you need any support in getting unstuck and carving out time for what matters most, let’s chat about how we can start creating a life you love!