I wanted to veer off of our path for this post. You know when you have a plan and vision, and then life happens and you gotta tackle what’s in front of you? Uhh, like ALL of 2020!? So, rather than ignore what’s in front of us, let’s chat about it.

It’s mid-August, back-to-school time, gearing up for fall, sports, all the fun things. However, it looks a tad different this year. Most of us can probably agree, it sucks. Let’s be real with ourselves. All summer things were supposed to get better, get back to normal. And here we are. Kids are either learning from home again, or on a different schedule, wearing masks to school, sports are up in the air, no dance or soccer practices. Or if you are like me, Zoom is the new normal, you are still working from bed some days and jeans are a thing of the past. In the spring, we embraced the “new normal” that was quarantine, masks, and social distancing. And now here we are again, facing another “new normal”. I think the emotional, mental frustrations and build up are real. They are at epic highs. And I am here to tell you, you are not alone.

Whatever changes, new routines you are facing as we enter fall, we all share some of the same struggles. Anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, uncertainty, fear. And then how many of us are opening social media and comparing ourselves to the other moms, the other single friends, the neighbor, who seem to have this all together. The kids are dressed perfect with bows for virtual school. Lunches look straight out of a cookbook. There is no TV time. They are getting a workout in without any interruptions. It all just looks perfect. Meanwhile, some of us instantly get even more down on ourselves. Why do I not have it all together? If you ask yourself that or think that, I want you to STOP right there. Before we continue down this spiral. YOU are YOU. YOU are ENOUGH. YOU are STRONG. YOU are LOVING. YOU GOT THIS.

Okay, so now I want you to sit back, breathe, and listen up. I am about to get real with you. It ISN’T about the lady down the street, or some random on Instagram. This is YOUR life. And things are tough. Things aren’t fair. Things don’t make sense. But that is okay. And you are NOT expected to have it all together. It does not make you less than anyone else. Do YOUR best. Show up for YOU and YOUR family, in whatever way that looks and is. YOUR love for YOU and YOUR family is what matters. The memories matter more than the perfect pic you get of the kids doing their virtual work. The time you spend on yourself or on your family, is more important than the time you spend doing your hair and makeup. Focus on what matters most. Wake up with gratitude, that you woke up and have plenty of blessings. Cherish this time. Even in the storm. And give yourself GRACE. Girl, there are gonna be days you cry HARD. It’s okay. Don’t be hard on yourself. Instead have the moments you need to have. Let the kids have more screen time so you can call a friend. It isn’t a competition. It is YOU vs YOU. It is about doing what works for YOU.

So as you enter this season of more unknown, new routines, unexpected twists and turns, remember you have a community, you have support, you have people who love you for WHO YOU ARE. Surround yourself with them. Don’t do this alone. And promise me, you will give yourself GRACE in this time.

-Katharine