Hey Mama,
Have you ever felt that shift in your life? Seasons change, just like our lives do—spring, summer, fall, winter. We go from buds on trees in the spring, representing new life and growth, only to watch those same leaves fall a few months later during autumn. In winter, we face a bare and barren landscape. Seasons come and go, and with each change, we’re invited to refocus and restart.
For me, the true "new year" begins on my birthday. As I approach my 41st birthday, I’m reflecting on the year I’ve completed—365 days around the sun, filled with lessons, challenges, and growth. Every year, in the months leading up to my birthday, I take a sabbatical. Whether it’s a break from something I’ve indulged in during the summer or a retreat from social media, it’s a much-needed time to reset and prepare for the next chapter.
This period often brings tests—opportunities to apply what I’ve learned from the previous year. It’s a time for deep reflection. Recently, while watching *Inside Out 2* (yes, a children’s movie), I found it speaking directly to me, aligning perfectly with the tests I’ve faced throughout the year. One theme in particular hit home: anxiety.
Anxiety and Its False Projections
Anxiety is tricky. It breeds sarcasm, embarrassment, envy, and of course, more anxiety. It projects images and thoughts that aren’t real or true, and yet, they feel incredibly impactful. As I grow older, I’ve realized that anxiety often feeds off past memories and experiences. These triggers—old emotions or events—are mere shadows of the past, but they can feel all too real in the present.
The lesson here? Joy is meant to exist in your life, and you have to remind joy to tell anxiety to let go every single day. Watching *Inside Out 2*, I felt this truth deeply. The movie, though meant for kids, was speaking life into me. It reminded me that my triggers are only reflections of old memories, and I shouldn’t allow them to control my present. Those projections—telling me I’m not enough, that I don’t matter, that I’m unneeded—aren’t true. I am enough. I do matter. I am needed, impactful, and loved.
When Life Tests You
Just recently, on a day that seemed to test everyone’s patience, I found myself in an unexpected situation. It was Friday, September 6th—a weird day, to say the least. Everyone seemed to be in a mood, as if the universe had hit the “attitude” button and walked off. I even made a TikTok video about it because it was so comical to me. As I watched people around me having bad days or “crashing out” (as the younger generation says), I didn’t realize my test was coming too.
Later that day, my tire blew out, leaving me stranded with limited help. Sure, my friends were coming to assist, but they had their own lives, jobs, and responsibilities. One friend was working on another car, and my dad, a stroke survivor who can’t walk on his own, insisted on coming to help but needed my mom to bring him. It was one of those moments where the weight of everything could have easily sent me into a spiral.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t allow it to. I recognized that this was a test—a moment where I could have been overwhelmed by stress, frustration, and anxiety. But instead, I drew from the lessons I’ve learned in my quiet moments of reflection. I restarted. I refocused. I didn’t let the situation control me.
How to Restart and Refocus
So, how do you refocus and restart when life feels overwhelming?
1. Take a Break: Like my annual sabbatical before my birthday, step away from the noise of life. Whether it’s social media, work, or even daily routines, give yourself space to breathe and reflect.
2. Recognize Your Triggers: Understand that anxiety often plays on old memories. These triggers aren’t a reflection of your current reality. Acknowledge them, but don’t let them control you.
3. Embrace Joy: Actively invite joy into your life. Remind yourself daily that you are enough, you matter, and you are loved. Joy has the power to push anxiety out of the driver's seat.
4. Stay Calm in the Tests: Life will throw challenges your way, but remember, each test is an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned. Don’t let anxiety take over—stay grounded, stay calm, and handle it with grace.
As you enter your next season, whether it’s your personal new year, a new phase of motherhood, or simply a fresh start, remember that it’s okay to slow down, restart, and refocus. The tests will come, but with each challenge, you’ll find that you’re stronger and more prepared than you thought.
You are enough. You are needed. You are loved. And sometimes, the greatest act of strength is allowing yourself to rest.
— Rest Mama 💖
Call to Action
As you navigate the seasons of motherhood and life, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Join our community at Rest Mama, where we believe in the power of rest, reflection, and refocusing. Follow us for tips, inspiration, and tools to help you prioritize self-care and embrace the beauty of every season.