As my kids and partner settled into the car, ready for a swim team pep rally, I hesitated. I wanted to hold off on pulling the food from the oven until the very last moment. Like many parents, I was tasked with bringing snacks for our little swimmers, and I had become the go-to person in our household for packing everything we needed for our outings.
5:56 p.m. Time to go.
With a determined mindset, I began the juggling act of loading myself up. First, I hefted the oversized, navy-and-green monogrammed swim bag onto my left shoulder. Next, I turned off the oven, opened it, and placed the serving spoon gently onto the aluminum foil covering a massive tray of pasta. I slipped my hands into mismatched oven mitts, grabbed the warming tray, and expertly kicked the oven door shut with my foot like a seasoned pro.
My partner, Mark, wouldn’t be able to manage this. Roar!
Thankful he had left the side door ajar, I nudged it open with my foot. Just as I was about to leave, a pacifier caught my eye. That small piece of BPA-free blue plastic could be the key to avoiding a meltdown later in the evening. We definitely needed that pacifier.
Alright, I got this. Roar!
I balanced the tray with my right hand while shaking off the oven mitt with my left. As I leaned forward to grab the pacifier, I reached too far. The tray tilted unexpectedly. Instinctively, my bare left hand shot out to stabilize it, but then I remembered—this dish had just come out of the oven! All my focus shifted to keeping the tray steady.
I can handle this! Quick Roar!
Yet, in my struggle to regain control, the hot metal rim grazed my arm. I yelped in pain and instinctively dropped the entire tray.
Did that really just happen?
Staring at the mess of noodles sprawled on the floor, I dropped my swim bag in frustration. In a moment of anger, I plunged the pacifier into the noodles. For added drama, I snatched the fallen serving spoon and flung it out the door. (I may have muttered a few choice words.)
Noticing the noodles in the doorway and the spoon flying through the air, Mark stepped out of the car and approached me, looking puzzled. “Why were you trying to carry so much?” he asked, clearly baffled. Roar!!!
After some frantic cleanup, we finally made it to the pool. While the kids munched on snacks, I recounted my noodle disaster to a neighbor, showing her my burn. As we chatted, she shared some heavy news: a recent diagnosis that would forever change her life. “I have so much going on right now. I just don’t know how I’m going to manage it all.” Her eyes welled with tears.
Mark’s question echoed in my mind, “Why were you trying to carry so much?”
Dear friend, it’s time to let something go.
Ladies, when did we become so overloaded?
How did we get here? Who convinced us that we should bear more than we can manage? I see everyone else juggling so much—overwhelmed and overscheduled. We all seem to want to do it all or feel guilty when we can’t. Throughout my journey as a mother, the incessant call to “pick me up” has become a constant rhythm.
But in those quiet moments, I hear another voice—a gentle reminder to let go.
In this season of motherhood, I’m strong enough to carry my children and the many responsibilities that come with raising a family. However, I don’t want busyness to overshadow the joy I seek. I need to curate my to-do lists, ensuring that I don’t accidentally drop peace, kindness, or contentment on my way out the door.
We all carry unique burdens, even if we don’t openly share them. Sometimes our arms are too full, and we have no choice but to bear our loads. But no one can sustain that forever. This year, I’m choosing to carry only what I must, what I truly need, and what I genuinely want. I refuse to be so overloaded that I can’t sleep at night or wake up feeling anxious. Life brings enough challenges; I want to focus on holding my children close and nurturing my partner’s heart.
So if you see me letting something go, know that I’m making space for what truly matters. You’re welcome to join me in this journey. Because we simply can’t do it all.
For more insights on managing the challenges of motherhood, check out our guide on privacy policies for additional resources on navigating this journey. Also, for those interested in fertility topics, here’s a valuable link to Science Daily. And if you’re looking to boost fertility, visit Make A Mom for expert advice.
Summary
In a relatable and humorous narrative, Jenna Thompson reflects on the challenges of motherhood and the tendency to take on too much. She recounts an amusing incident involving a dropped tray of noodles while juggling multiple responsibilities. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing joy and peace over busyness, encouraging mothers to let go of unnecessary burdens and focus on what truly matters.