Have you Checked in with Yourself Lately?

As moms, there is never a season that comes with actual slowness or relaxation. Summer might be the closest to fit that category but it’s still full of stress and business with the kids out of school. Whether you are coordinating the craziness of camp schedules or have kids running you ragged at home, summer comes with a sudden shift in routine that can be enjoyable at times but partnered with chaos.

As the half way point of summer creeps closer and the half way point of the year sails by, I have reminded myself to pause and reflect back on the intentions I set in January as I looked to a new year. I committed to get rid of a “new year new me” attitude and instead to focus on loving myself and finding confidence in that.

Have you checked in with yourself lately? What goals or commitments did you set in January that perhaps need to be dusted off now that we are half way though the year?

I have been reflecting on what benefits come with that confidence I am working on as a mom. Turns out there are a lot. When I was a newer mom, I thought I had something to prove. At the time, I didn’t know that’s that I thought but looking back, that was the case. I would try to do all the things, to be on top of it all, to be the mom who could do it all.

My more seasoned self knows that trying to do it all is a recipe for failing at something.

With age and experience comes learning to settle into the woman I am today versus what I was years ago.

I still compare myself and have moments of self-doubt. I still have to stop myself when I have thoughts about past-me versus now-me. But the moments are much more fleeting now than they used to be.

I have learned a lot in my almost 13 years of being a mom. Much like any role in life, the more experienced we are, the more equipped we are to call out obstacles before they even occur. We have been there. We have done that.

As I reflect on the half way mark of the year and the long summer nights till left in this season, there are a few conversations I am having with myself and questions to stem those conversations.

Are there any goals I want to now set halfway through the year that I perhaps hadn’t back in January? I didn’t set any goals for myself but now that I feel more settled into 2023, I might set a few goals or intentions for myself to reach by January.

Am I meeting the commitments I did set? In 2023, I committed to not being consumed with a “new year, new me” mentality. I have to pause to remember why that was important to me and weigh how I think I am doing at it.

It’s not illegal to fail on goals. Sure, it’s frustrating to be in July and realize that we have not done a good job with goals we set six-months ago. But it’s not the end of the world. Use that as a motivator to re-start now and try to stay committed.

It is ok to give up. Yup, that’s right. It’s ok to decide that whatever goals or maybe even hopes and dreams you had in January maybe no longer make sense. Maybe they were actually unachievable.

Maybe they are not actually bringing you joy. If giving up seems wrong, just modify what you had set six months ago.

As you breathe in the warm air of the days that are still left in summer, take time to check in with yourself and set an intention for the remainder of summer and perhaps the remainder of this year.

Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!

Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.

Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season.

Draw me closer to You this summer.

Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.

Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.

As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.
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