By: Jenna Collins
Updated: Jan. 25, 2016
Originally Published: Jan. 25, 2016
As I sat in the driver’s seat with my husband and kids already buckled in, we were on our way to a pep rally for my children’s swim team. I had a last-minute task to complete: retrieving the food I had prepared. Like many parents, I take on the responsibility of bringing nourishment to these events for our hungry little athletes. However, I also find myself as the designated packer from our household, tasked with transporting everything we need whenever we venture out.
5:56 p.m. It’s time to go.
I begin to load myself up with the essentials. My oversized, navy-and-green-monogrammed swim bag slides onto my left shoulder. I switch off the oven, gently placing the serving spoon atop the aluminum foil that covers the massive tray of pasta. With mismatched oven mitts on, I carefully lift the warming tray and expertly kick the oven door shut with my leg like a seasoned performer. My husband would struggle with this.
Roar!
Fortunately, he left the side door ajar, and I use my foot to nudge it open. Just before I step outside, I notice a pacifier on the counter. That little piece of BPA-free plastic could be the difference between a peaceful evening or a night filled with chaos. We need that pacifier.
I can manage this.
Roar!
I position my right hand under the tray, balancing it precariously. I let go of the oven mitt, which falls to the floor, and lean over to grab the pacifier. I stretch, reach, and you can guess what happens next.
The tray tilts too far. Instinctively, my un-mitted hand shoots out to stabilize it. Then it hits me—this tray was just in the oven! I focus all my energy on keeping my grip strong.
I can handle this!
Quick Roar!
As I twist awkwardly to regain control, the hot metal grazes my arm. I scream in pain and, in a flash, the entire dish crashes to the floor.
Did that really just happen?
I stand there, stunned, staring at the noodles scattered around my feet. I drop the swim bag, feeling defeated. In a moment of frustration, I throw the pacifier into the mess. For added drama, I reach down, grab the fallen serving spoon, and fling it out the door with an exasperated shout. (I might have muttered a curse word.)
Seeing the noodles and spoon fly, my husband steps out of the car, approaches me with a blank expression, and asks, “Why did you try to carry so much?”
Roar!!!
After a bit of cleanup, we finally made it to the pool. The kids munched on snacks while I shared my noodle catastrophe with a neighbor, showing her my burned arm. In the midst of our conversation, she revealed some heavy news about a recent diagnosis—one that would change her life indefinitely. “I have so much going on right now; I just don’t know how I’m going to manage it all.” Tears glistened in her eyes, and once more, my husband’s words echoed in my mind: “Why were you trying to carry so much?”
Friend, it’s time to let something go.
Ladies, when did we fill our arms to the brim? How did we come to believe we must carry more than we can handle? I see so many others managing overwhelming loads. We’re all busy, over-scheduled, and many of us feel guilty when we can’t do it all. Throughout my journey as a mother, I’ve felt the constant pressure to “pick up the pace,” but perhaps I’ve been listening to the wrong tune.
In moments of stillness, I hear a different message—a gentle reminder urging me to put things down. Right now, in this stage of motherhood, I possess the strength to carry both my children and the responsibilities of family life. Still, I refuse to let busyness overshadow the joy I wish to cultivate. I need to prioritize my to-do list, ensuring that I don’t inadvertently drop contentment, peace, or kindness while racing out the door.
Each of us carries unique burdens, and sometimes, we have no choice but to bear what life presents us. However, we cannot sustain that indefinitely. This year, I’ve made a commitment to carry only what is necessary—what I need and what truly matters. I won’t allow myself to be so overloaded that sleepless nights filled with anxiety become the norm. Life has enough challenges without adding to them. For now, I’ll focus on holding my children’s hands and securing the keys to my husband’s heart.
So, if you see me let something go, you’ll understand why. And I invite you to join me on this journey. Because we simply cannot carry it all.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the overwhelming responsibilities that come with parenthood, illustrating the importance of recognizing our limits. The author shares a personal story about juggling tasks and the realization that we cannot carry everything. In this journey, it’s vital to prioritize what truly matters while inviting others to join in the pursuit of balance.