We Just Can’t Handle It All

home insemination Kit

My kids and partner were already strapped in the car, eagerly awaiting our trip to the swim team’s pep rally. I wanted to make sure the food was perfectly warm, so I decided to wait until the last possible moment to take it out of the oven. Like many other parents, I’m the go-to person in our household for bringing snacks to these events.

5:56 p.m. – It’s showtime.

I start loading up, balancing everything like a circus performer. First, I hoist the oversized, monogrammed swim bag onto my left shoulder. Next, I turn off the oven, remove the serving spoon, and carefully place it on the foil covering the massive tray of pasta. I slide my hands into mismatched oven mitts, grab the warming tray, and expertly kick the oven door shut behind me – a move I’ve perfected over time.

My partner, Jake, couldn’t pull this off. Roar!

Thankfully, he left the side door ajar, and I nudge it open with my right foot. Just before stepping out, a pacifier catches my eye. That BPA-free gem could be the key to turning a potential meltdown into a serene ride, depending on how the rest of the night unfolds. We absolutely need that pacifier.

I can manage this. Roar!

With my right hand balancing the food, I shake off the mitt from my left hand and reach for the pacifier. I stretch. Grab.

And then, disaster strikes.

The tray tilts precariously. Instinctively, my bare left hand reaches for it, but wait! This was just in the oven! Suddenly, all my focus is on keeping the tray steady. I can do this! Quick Roar!

As I awkwardly bend my wrist to regain balance, the hot metal grazes my arm. I scream from the pain and drop the entire dish onto the floor.

Did that really just happen?

I stand there in shock, staring at the spaghetti explosion at my feet, feeling defeated. In a moment of frustration, I toss the pacifier into the noodles and, for dramatic flair, fling the serving spoon out the door. (I might have muttered a quiet curse.)

Seeing the mess and my outburst, Jake gets out of the car, walks over, and asks, “Why were you trying to carry so much?”

Roar!!!

Once the chaos was cleaned up, we finally made it to the pool. While the kids devoured their food, I recounted my noodle disaster to a neighbor, revealing the burn on my arm. She then shared some heavy news of her own: a new health diagnosis that would change her life indefinitely. “I have so much going on right now, I just don’t know how I’m going to handle it all,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.

Jake’s question echoed in my mind: “Why were you trying to carry so much?”

Friend, it’s time to let something go.

Ladies, when did our arms become so full? How did we end up believing we need to juggle everything? We see each other hustling, over-scheduled and overwhelmed. Each of us feels the pressure to do it all or feels guilty when we can’t.

As mothers, we hear that relentless ticking clock urging us to pick up more and more. But could it be that we’re listening to the wrong sound? In those quiet moments, I hear a softer voice urging me to put something down.

Sure, I have the strength to carry my children and all the responsibilities that come with family life. But I also don’t want to let busyness push out the joy I crave. I need to choose my to-do lists wisely, making sure I don’t accidentally drop peace or happiness in the rush.

We all have our unique burdens, even if we don’t share them. Sometimes, life gets too heavy, and we have to carry what’s given to us. But we can’t do that indefinitely.

This year, I’m committed to carrying only what I must, what I need, and what brings me joy. I won’t allow myself to be so overloaded that I’m up at night feeling anxious. Life already has its share of challenges. Right now, I want to focus on holding my children’s hands and nurturing my relationship with Jake.

So if you see me putting something down, now you know why. And you’re welcome to join me.

Because we simply can’t handle it all.

For more insights on navigating motherhood, be sure to check out this excellent resource on fertility preservation from Cleveland Clinic and learn about the home insemination process through this comprehensive guide.

Summary

In the chaos of motherhood, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and the pressure to do it all. A recent experience reminded me that we often take on too much, and it’s essential to prioritize what truly matters. By learning to let go of excess burdens, we can focus on the joy and connections that define our lives.