The back-to-school aisles are calling. Lunch boxes, folders, and that particular scent of fresh crayons that somehow makes every parent simultaneously excited and slightly panicked. Whether you’re sending a middle schooler off to navigate new hallways (hello, Aspen!) or you’re the one heading back to work after a slower summer rhythm, August has this way of hitting like a gentle tsunami.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially after our recent Branson vacation – those slow mornings on the cabin porch, the luxury of not checking the clock every five minutes. There’s something sacred about those unhurried moments that we tend to abandon the second “real life” kicks back in.
But here’s what I’m learning: the busy doesn’t have to overwhelm us.
The Myth of August Survival Mode
We’ve somehow convinced ourselves that busy seasons require us to shift into survival mode – gulp coffee instead of savoring it, rush through conversations, let self-care slide “just until things settle down.” But what if the busy seasons are exactly when we need our anchoring practices most?
I think about the staff meetings I facilitate, the payroll deadlines that don’t negotiate, the art projects calling from my studio. Each one important, each one demanding attention. But somewhere between the urgent and the important, I’ve discovered there’s space for breath.
Sacred Pauses in Chaotic Rhythms
A sacred pause doesn’t require a meditation retreat or an hour of quiet time (though wouldn’t that be nice?). Sometimes it’s:
– Taking three deep breaths before opening your laptop
– Saying a quick prayer of gratitude while waiting in the school pickup line
– Choosing to actually taste your morning coffee instead of just consuming it
– Letting yourself feel proud of small wins – like getting everyone out the door with matching socks
These aren’t Instagram-worthy moments, but they’re life-giving ones.
Permission to Pace Yourself
Here’s your gentle reminder: You don’t have to match everyone else’s pace. You don’t have to say yes to every opportunity, volunteer for every committee, or maintain the same energy level from August through December.
Some seasons call for sprinting. Others call for steady walking. And sometimes – especially during transitions – we need to give ourselves permission to find our rhythm without judgment.
Questions for Your Heart
As you navigate this back-to-school season, maybe sit with these questions:
– What one practice helps you feel most grounded when life gets hectic?
– Where can you build in tiny moments of pause throughout your day?
– What would it look like to approach this busy season with curiosity instead of dread?
– How can you model healthy rhythms for the people watching you (kids, coworkers, friends)?
A Prayer for Busy Seasons
*God, as schedules fill and demands increase, help us remember that our worth isn’t measured by our productivity. Grant us wisdom to know when to push forward and when to rest. May we find You in the ordinary moments – the school drop-offs, the work meetings, the evening routines. Help us create space for what matters most, even when everything feels urgent. Amen.*
Moving Forward
The school bells will ring. The calendars will fill. The to-do lists will multiply. But you – beautiful, capable, sometimes overwhelmed you – get to choose how you move through it all.
Maybe this year, instead of just surviving the busy, we learn to find the sacred within it.
What’s one small way you’re planning to stay grounded this school year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Sprinkle some joy in the comments! 🎨