June called. She’s bringing school concerts, field trips, communion, graduations, confirmations, prom, dance competitions, year-end forms, and 1,000 reminders from the Parent Association! (Yes, also starring in that production, yours truly). I’m overwhelmed and feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. My brain feels fried as I attempt to power through tasks and remember all the “very important things” I’ve forgotten twice already. The struggle is real.It’s fair to say most of us are swimming in a sea of mental overload this time of year. Sometimes, I look at my calendar and genuinely wonder how I’m supposed to survive the next seven days… only to realize, oh right, seems a lot of us are in that same boat. Do we overdo it? Pile on too much? Have our kids enrolled in enough activities to qualify as part-time Uber drivers? Probably.Back in the day, my mom had us in swimming (non-negotiable) and the occasional “try-this-for-a-month” activity. So now, as a grown woman barely hitting 5 feet tall who loves to dance, I often ask her - “Mom… why wouldn’t you put me in jazz or ballet?”Instead, there I was—every Monday and Wednesday—kicking it (literally) at the local martial arts studio in a crisp white gi, belt tied proudly, karate-chopping my way through childhood.When I ask her why Ju Jitsu?!, she casually replies,“So you could defend yourself.” OK, Mom. Because if I’m ever mid-abduction by a full-grown-burly man, I’ll make sure to stop, strike a pose, and execute a flawless kata. Totally realistic."My brain feels fried as I attempt to power through tasks and remember all the ‘very important things’ I’ve forgotten twice already."Anyway, this isn’t a reflection on what we did or didn’t do as kids, rather an observation on how saturated our lives have become with endless activities and responsibilities, many of which could probably use a little filtering. We’re constantly on the move, sometimes juggling more than feels humanly possible. While I may, at times, face criticism for doing too much and rarely carving out time for myself, I wholeheartedly believe in showing up for my kids, in everything they do and aspire to become. That kind of support, I hope, is something they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.I’ve always been a supporter of their dreams and passions, and as parents, I believe it’s a gift to be able to guide, encourage, and nurture our little humans to be the best version of themselves, whatever way that looks for them.So, here’s my advice. Maybe it’s time we shift our perspective a bit. Yes, we’re exhausted. Yes, we’re juggling a million things. And yes, the calendars on our phones look like a color-coded game of Tetris. But, sometimes, a tiny shift in perspective can bring a big dose of peace.I often say - “My plate is so full” and recently, I chatted about this with our incredible ‘nonna’- my husband’s Italian grandmother and a true force of nature. At 96 years young, she still rolls up her sleeves to help with the annual tomato sauce and tends the garden.When we go over for dinners, I always urge her to sit and relax - “Nonna, please! Let us clear the table!” – and her answer is always the same - “I can’t just sit. Think of a car left parked for too long in the driveway - it starts to rust. We’re the same.” That hits me. Hard. This isn’t just about staying active - it’s about fully living. We’re meant to keep moving, to lean into the chaos, to savor the flavor of every messy, magical moment and not complain! (Impossible, just saying.)So now, whenever someone says, “My plate is too full,” I reply with - “But isn’t a full plate a blessing?” Enjoy every bite. And if it feels like too much? That’s okay - wrap up the leftovers and come back when you’re ready. Life isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be lived.With that, enjoy the craziness the next few months has in store for you. If the pace is speeding up because you’re sprinting to the finish line with mismatched socks and to-go-box in hand, just slow down. Stop, breathe and remind yourself - “I’ve got this!” - one task, one stumble, and one check list at a time, because being able to ‘do’ is a blessing, and a ‘full plate’ should always be appreciated. Happy May everyone, the race is on!
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