Snapshots from April

Watching life change over the years and always making time for what matters

This winter, I’ve been learning how to backcountry ski. I’ve had to rent gear, learn how to use it, get safety lessons, and train so that the sport is even physically possible. All of this has been hard to make time for, especially with a toddler, full-time work outside of the home, other personal and community interests, and a to-do list of life admin that is as long as everyone else’s.

There were many days over the last few months when I did not want to spend any more time on the stairmaster, research weather forecasts, or consider the cost of various ski rentals.

But then last Saturday, I skied up to (and back down from!) Camp Muir on Mount Rainier.

HOLY MOLY, I did it! It was incredible (and very, very hard).

a truly epic day

Snapshots in time

The next day, I was flipping through photos as I was horizontal and recovering. As it often does, my iPhone prompted me with a curated album titled “This Day Over the Years,” and I was reminded that exactly one year ago, I was in Venice with two of my best friends on my first trip away from the baby.

She was a different woman from the one who skinned up that volcano last weekend. And I’ve lived so much life in the year since Venice! There is so much life contained in a single picture, and each snapshot includes a whole story of history and identity while also preserving a single moment.

This sent me down a delightful rabbit hole of Aprils in years past. In 2023, I had a brand new baby, and the year before that, I ran 50 miles across the Grand Canyon. In 2021, we bought a house and moved in April.

When I look at pictures from past Aprils and remember my life behind the scenes of those photos, I am struck by how different my days looked during each year, each season. I am me today. I am also Liz in Venice, covered in the Grand Canyon’s red clay, contentedly cuddled on the couch with a newborn. She’s still in there – each of those iterations – but has been lying low, making space for the backcountry skiing version to shine.

new backyard, deep in the Grand Canyon, new babe (omg, she's so small - cue all the tears)

Seasons and circumstances

Sometimes, we get to choose what to prioritize, and in other instances, our circumstances make the decision for us. Early in 2020, I was training for what would be my first 50k trail race and, in March, was in tip-top shape. I remember a 10-mile run one Wednesday evening in the rain where I actually felt like I was floating— I cannot remember a run feeling that easy since.

Then, in April 2020, like so many other people across the world, I was stuck at home, baking cinnamon rolls and sourdough and ordering wine delivery. I did not choose to pivot my priorities, but the race was cancelled, and the world shut down. Running in a training group was not an option, so I dug into other pursuits I enjoyed. The season shifted, and with it, what mattered to me.

this wasn't how I planned to spend april 2020 but it was delicious

This winter, when I have had a zillion other things going on, learning a new mountain sport has been a priority for me, so I protected the time and did the things. And executing in the alpine on Saturday was an incredible reminder that we can make time for the things that matter in the season we’re in.

Consider your own snapshots. What season are you in? What are you making time for in your busy life?

What’s the story behind your snapshots, and what goals are you working toward next? Where will we be on this day next year?

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Are you overwhelmed by juggling all the things? Do you want to spend more time doing the things you love with the people you love? Let’s work together on a plan to refocus your time and energy on what matters most – check out my coaching offers.

And mark your calendars! On May 1st, I’m teaching a workshop on Values-Based Time Management – audit your time, articulate your values, and develop a plan to really live the rich, meaningful life you were meant to enjoy. Be the first to know when registration is live.