Another Reminder to Pause

Notice what brings you joy – especially when things feel particularly chaotic

It’s the second week of school around here, and even without being personally bound to the public school calendar, I can feel it in the air. It helps that mornings have suddenly become crisp, really topping off the back-to-school fall vibes. 

Everyone is a little bit more tense, seems a little bit more tired. Conversations often get pulled around to new routines, big transitions, sleepless nights. 

As a former elementary school teacher, I love the back-to-school season. But there is no question that it is objectively exhausting! There is so much anticipation and excitement that we all crash at the end of the day and week without notice. It’s overwhelming—mainly in a full, wonderful sort of way, but overwhelming nonetheless. 

Can you feel it? The collective overwhelm of this season? 

But there is so much joy, too!