Does anyone else feel like they’re sprinting toward summer?
I know I do.
This time of year always seems to bring a rush of deadlines and commitments. There are school year wrap-ups, daycare transitions, summer plans to organize, projects to finish at work, and tasks at home that suddenly feel urgent before vacation season kicks off. And I don’t know about you, but even a simple trip across the city feels like an adventure lately, with everyone on the road at the same time.
Lately, I’ve caught myself feeling overwhelmed by it all. Maybe you have too.
As parents, we often encourage our children to express their feelings and talk about what’s bothering them. But sometimes we need that reminder ourselves. It’s okay to acknowledge when things feel tough. It’s okay to admit that you’re tired, frustrated, irritable, or stretched thin beyond thin. There are times when the demands of parenting, work, and everyday life all seem to arrive at once, with about as much warning as an alpine thunderstorm.
Urgency creates the illusion that everything matters equally, when in reality it doesn’t.
For me, talking things through or writing them down helps give them shape. And giving shape to what’s bothering us can be surprisingly helpful. Not because we want to dwell on the negatives, but because acknowledging and voicing our feelings is often the first step to moving forward.
Another practical method, for when life starts to feel overwhelming, is to focus on what’s immediately in front of me rather than everything at once. Instead of looking at the entire to-do list, I try to concentrate on one task, one appointment, or one responsibility at a time. Breaking things down into smaller pieces makes even the busiest seasons feel more manageable.
And if things are feeling heavier than usual, remember that you do not have to carry everything on your own. Support is available, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Here are a few resources that may be helpful:
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- Contact the team at Jeffery Hale Community Services for support in English.
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- Visit You, Me, Baby, an online program designed to promote the mental health and well-being of future and new parents.
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- Explore the mental health resources available on our WE MIND page.
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- Join other parents at our next outdoor Parents and Petits gathering on Friday, July 10, at Saint Brigid’s Home.
So maybe the challenge isn’t to fit everything in, but to recognize that not everything deserves the same urgency. There will always be another email, another chore, another item on the checklist. But summer has a way of reminding us that some things matter more than getting everything done: a quiet evening, a conversation, a walk, a moment of rest. Those other things can wait. Because, sometimes, “good enough” really is enough.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Be where you are.
Sending positive thoughts your way—and a few virtual hugs, too. If you need support, or help getting connected to programs for you or your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am only an email or a phone call away.
Hugs,
Jessica
