AnaSometimes I watch my kids play and I think about how amazing it is to be a kid. The weight of real life hasn’t quite hit them yet, and they are free of the responsibility that comes with adulthood. They are truly living the dream.
Who wouldn’t want to spend their days running around without a care in the world, letting imagination run its course with endless possibilities? If only it were that easy… if only we could just toss responsibility into the wind and join them, am I right?!
One day at a time, taking little steps as we grow into our “adulting” roles, that weight gets heavier and heavier… and some days, it’s just so heavy we get claustrophobic and can’t breathe. We don’t want to give it up though, or even ask for help when we should, because then God forbid someone might give us that criticizing glare and assume we “can’t handle it” and intervene in a drastic way… I mean, come on, Karen, I don’t need your input right now so take your latte and scram!
As much as we all love the idea of independence and freedom though, for some it’s a hard pill to swallow knowing that you also need accountability. Everyone needs checks and balances in their life, and whether it’s over the phone, technology or in person we need someone to check up on us every now and then to remind us we are human and nobody is invincible. We also need to know someone cares enough to make sure we are okay, and that even if we are not okay, to tell us it’s fine to not be okay. Life is rough, you know? We all have good days and bad days, and sometimes the bad just overwhelms the good and we are just done with it all. Sometimes, we are just not okay, and we need to work through those things.
Let this be a reminder that you don’t have to carry the weight of the world, or even the weight of someone else’s burden if it is too much. Learn to say no to things when you need to, because you don’t need to be a “yes man” or a “yes woman”. If you don’t have time for it, or have no energy or do it, or just flat out have no interest in it, then say no. Obviously, use your judgment and make sure you are doing what’s truly best for you in a genuine way, not just out of spite for someone else. On the other hand, when you don’t have a choice and the responsibility is there anyway and it’s just weighing you down like nothing you’ve ever felt before, look for someone to be that accountability. Look for your person, because even just a few words of kindness and encouragement can go a long way in making that load a whole lot lighter.
Do you have someone in your life who has your back, no matter what? If you don’t, and you feel alone and like nobody gives a care about your existence, remember what it’s like to be a kid. So carefree and genuine, and they have no filter when it comes to real life and responsibilities. Deep down, we are all kids in there, just living the dream, and we don’t even know it! Today, figure out what’s balancing you, and make whatever adjustments you need to free your spirit inside while staying human, even if it’s hard. For some, that might be finding an outlet or free space for you to just let it all go. For others, you may need a routine habit or hobby, regular meetings or dig deeper into your faith.
Remember, at the end of the day we all go to sleep and we get to start a whole new day tomorrow. If you don’t have that “person” you can reach out to, know that there is One who is always there through it all. God will be there, night or day, and you can literally say anything because He has seen it all anyway. He loves you, cares for you deeply and you can be a kid in his arms anytime you need.
Just let it out, and be YOU. You got this!
