Once in awhile, you take a step back and stop. You slow down and put a halt to this crazy juggling act. Because…you know you can’t keep up, and it’s not worth trying. The more we do, the less we actually enjoy.
Slowing down doesn’t come easy for someone like me. People say I’m like a little tornado. Not in the destructive sense (at least that’s what I’d hope).
I’m just always on the go. That’s my nature. When you are a person who has “places to go and people to see”, you often carry the mindset that you have to fit everything in or you will miss out. However, what you don’t realize is that the REAL risk you run is missing out on the little moments that quickly pass you by. They are the instances that are gone in a blink of an eye…..ones you wish you could get back or relive again.
Now, I’ve been afflicted with a slightly different kind of this disorder. While I do fear of missing out on all the fun my friends might have or not getting to experience nights out, I now fear that memories I am making are being taken for granted. Yes, I sometimes wish I could join my buddies on vacation for the “couples retreat”. Or, I wish I could make it to more girls dinners and stay out late like I used to. But, my fears of missing out are changing. Daily events that may not seem significant now….will be in 20 years when Ethan’s grown. I fear that I’m not fully appreciating them for all that they’re worth.
It’s the littlest, yet often so meaningful, things that we let slip by.
You miss the cute little facial expressions your child makes….you know, the curiosity that strikes, wonder and awe they express at the most simple things, new emotions that peak every day!
Before you know it, instead of being in the actual moment, you are looking back at videos and photo books to remember it all. You begin to reminisce through stories told by others and wish that you would have taken more time to let it all soak in.
In this day and age, busyness is at an all time high. Our schedules are jam packed and we barely make time to sit down and enjoy a meal with those we love. We are in such a hurry, going from place to place, and living our lives at such a rapid pace, that we don’t really enjoy the journey.
I’m reminded constantly how fast time goes just by looking at my son. It’s not so much the physical aspect of change that I notice most, but his personality that is developing. His smile. His laugh. Every single noise he makes. I can’t get enough of it. You’re moving so fast and your days are full….and bam, they are on to a new phase and it will be hard to remember what they were like when they “were little”. You will catch yourself saying, “Remember when….”.
Yes, I realize it has only been 7 months since I had Ethan. But, I already find myself telling my husband, “Remember when I told you I was pregnant and you could feel him moving inside my belly? Well, now he’s here and kicking his legs in excitement!” or “Remember when…..he was so tiny and he couldn’t hold his poor head up? Well, now he is sitting up on his own and crawling.”
These moments apply to every stage of life. Whether you are entering college, starting your first job, just got engaged, had your first baby, moved to a new city, followed a dream, crossed something off your bucket list, began retired life….the list goes on. All of these exciting moments are fleeting and last for a short time. Be sure to seize every moment possible and be grateful for the seemingly small and insignificant ones. As Courtney, from Everything is Story Worthy, so perfectly says…..we focus so much of our attention on when things “first” happen…..we often forget to appreciate the “last” time a moment or experience will occur. What a great post she has written! Check it out HERE.
Within the past week, I’ve had quite a few “Remember when” instances. These little happenings I captured on video remind me to slow down and do my best to battle the contagious disease, F.O.M.O.
