There will always be more work.
Another email to answer. Another load of laundry. Another deadline. Another post to create. Another room to clean. Another thing sitting on that never-ending to-do list.
Work is infinite. But our time is not.
And whew… that one will preach.
As a Crazy Busy Mama, I know how easy it is to convince ourselves that we just need to get one more thing done.
I’ll sit down after I finish this.
I’ll call them tomorrow.
We’ll take that trip someday.
I’ll make time when things slow down.
But here’s what I’ve learned: things don’t magically slow down. There will always be something competing for our attention.
At some point, we have to decide what deserves our time.
You Will Never Finish Everything
I think sometimes we live as if there is going to be this magical day when everything is finally checked off.
The inbox will be empty. The house will be clean. The work will be finished. Everyone will need absolutely nothing from us.
Then we’ll enjoy our life.
Mama… that day isn’t coming.
And maybe the goal was never to finish everything.
Maybe the goal is learning to recognize what actually matters.
I love working. I love building. I love dreaming big and chasing the things God has put on my heart. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being ambitious or working hard.
But I also don’t want to become so busy creating a life that I forget to live the life I already have.
Some Things Deserve to Be Inked In
You guys hear me say this all the time: don’t pencil the people you love into your calendar. Ink them in.
Work will take every minute you are willing to give it.
So sometimes you have to close the laptop.
Put the phone down.
Leave something unfinished.
Sit around the table a little longer.
Take the trip.
Go to the game.
Have coffee with your friend.
Take the walk.
Watch the sunset.
Laugh with your kiddos.
Those ordinary moments don’t always look important while they’re happening.
Until one day you realize they were the important things all along.
Life Has Changed the Way I Look at Time
Life has taught me some very hard lessons about time.
I used to think there would always be another day. Another holiday. Another conversation. Another picture. Another chance to say the thing I meant to say or do the thing I kept putting off. After the sudden loss of my husband and my mother just 2 years later, my perspective has changed.
Now I understand something differently:
We aren’t promised unlimited tomorrows.
And I don’t say that to make you sad. I say it because I want it to wake us up.
Love your people.
Tell them.
Make the memory.
Take the picture.
Book the trip.
Sit at the table.
And for goodness’ sake, stop feeling guilty because you didn’t get every single thing done today.
There will be more work tomorrow.
There won’t be another today.
Success Means More to Me Now
Success used to be easy to measure. Accomplishments. Goals. Growth. Numbers. Checkmarks.
I still believe in goals. You know I do.
But these days, success also looks like being present.
It looks like putting the phone away at dinner.
It looks like being available when one of my kids wants to talk.
It looks like choosing people over productivity sometimes.
It looks like recognizing that rest isn’t laziness and that enjoying the life God has given me isn’t something I need to earn.
Because what good is building everything you’ve ever dreamed about if you’re too busy to enjoy any of it?
Work Is Infinite. Time Is Finite.
So here’s your reminder today—and mine too:
You do not have to finish everything.
Do the work that matters. Chase the dreams God has placed on your heart. Show up. Work hard. Keep your promises to yourself.
But know when to stop.
Because work is infinite, but time is finite.
And when I look back on this life, I don’t want my greatest accomplishment to be how much I got done.
I want to know I loved my people well.
I want to know I was present.
I want to know I made the memories.
I want to know that while I was busy making a living, I never forgot to make a life.
So maybe today something can stay unchecked on the to-do list.
Go live your life, Mama. 🤍
With love,
Lori | Crazy Busy Mama
P.S. I talked about this in this morning’s Coffee Chat because apparently I needed the reminder too. Tell me in the comments: what is ONE thing you’re choosing to make time for today? ☕️ Please share below
