Here's What Really Matters
Do you ever have what I call a freeze-frame moment? A moment where you are both in the moment and also watching the moment?
It's a crazy concept and hard to describe, but you know when you're having one. Trust me.
Some of my strongest memories from adulthood, many of them were freeze-frame moments. Times when things were good, and I knew they were good.
I've also noticed that freeze-frame moments typically involve every day, nothing-special, daily-grind moments.
They're not usually a picture-perfect moment or a time when I feel like I'm being a rock star mom. That's what makes freeze-frame moments so special.
We have no expectations so the moment has every opportunity to surprise us.
For example, I'll never forget this moment when my daughter was maybe 6 months old and my son 2.5. I was standing in the kitchen throwing dinner together, drinking a glass of wine, and listening to my husband and kids play in the other room. Music blasting, baby squealing, toddler talking, and I was...smiling. I was thinking, this life is good.
I was soaking up everything about that moment while also looking in on the scene, capturing it all, and filing it away for the future. For a day when things maybe don't feel as good.
It got me thinking about appreciating those small moments.
About being in the moment so deeply that it's unlikely you'll forget it.
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
I read lots of articles about the quantity of time versus quality of time with our kids. About "being there" for your kids while also working or staying home. And what I realized from that freeze-frame moment was that it doesn't really matter.
What matters is that you're present in THE moments of your life with your kids. That you appreciate life when it's good. And when it doesn't feel as good, you draw on your freeze-frame moments to get you through. Because you recognize that you will come out of it tomorrow, or next week, or next month. And there will be more freeze-frame moments.
But you have to be present if you're going to see them.
Beyond Balance, my group coaching program for busy working moms teaches you how to manage your time and energy so that you can be more present in your life. Enrollment for the next round will be in May. Click here to join the waitlist and learn more.