At 18, I was convinced I was ready for college. In reality, I was more eager to escape my parents, enjoy my newfound independence, drink illegally, and revel in a life without curfews. But when it came to choosing a career path, I was nowhere near ready. Most of my peers and I were just there to have fun, and we definitely accomplished that.
When we walk down the aisle and say, “I do, and I will love you forever,” do we truly grasp the commitment we’re making? We promise to be loyal to one person, even when their chewing drives us to the brink. Let’s face it, we can’t possibly know what we’re agreeing to because we’ve never made such a vow before. We might feel ready (and hopefully, that’s enough to convince us to go through with it).
But are we ever genuinely prepared for anything? Feeling prepared and actually being ready are not the same thing. When we embark on significant life changes for the first time, there’s no way to truly assess our readiness until after the fact. We might be set for certain aspects (like fun nights out or romantic getaways) but that doesn’t mean we’re equipped for everything that comes along.
There are times when we realize we’re not ready for something, yet we dive in anyway. An experience can unfold naturally, and even if we lack all the details, we proceed because it matters to us. Time passes, and we often look back, thinking how young we were when we took those leaps. I frequently think this when reflecting on my first pregnancy.
I was as ready as one could be for motherhood. I had longed for a child for years, eagerly counted down the days to meet him, and documented every kick. I was so enthusiastic that I’m sure I wore my maternity clothes way too soon. Then he arrived, and I quickly realized I wasn’t ready at all. I had no idea how to care for a newborn, how often I would need to feed him, or how to manage the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood. Yet, I persevered. We always do.
The saying “ignorance is bliss” rings true. After experiencing countless situations before I was truly ready, I’m grateful I pushed forward. What if I hadn’t? I wouldn’t have my three beautiful children, and my life would be devoid of all the learning and growth that came from those experiences, especially when I thought I was prepared to be a mom.
Regardless of our readiness, life unfolds as it will. Our children grow, relationships shift, and unexpected challenges arise. Sometimes we have control over what life throws at us; other times, we don’t. And we won’t fully understand a situation until we’ve lived through it ourselves. Each time we face something we weren’t prepared for, it gears us up for the next challenge.
I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t prepare for major life events, nor am I saying we should jump into things we’re truly unready for. However, certain experiences can’t be fully anticipated until we navigate them. We learn what we want, brace ourselves for the impact, and figure it out one step at a time.
Ultimately, we emerge on the other side, often as better versions of ourselves. And you can certainly count on me being ready for a fun Taco Tuesday to help navigate the chaos of life. You should join me!
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In summary, we may never feel fully prepared for marriage or motherhood, but we find a way to embrace these life changes. Each experience, whether anticipated or unexpected, shapes us and helps us grow.