I sometimes get bogged down in details. I get a vision in my head of how things should be, and if it’s not materializing “just so” - I take responsibility and work to correct it. I have a tendency to observe the “perfect” on social media and sometimes strive to match it. I get a plan in my head and expect to execute it perfectly first try. I want my house to look like a magazine. I want the food I cook to surprise and delight those I serve. I want everything to result in a memory that sticks - beautiful, meaningful, and “just right.”

But I also find… that when I get in my head about these things, I lose the joy. It’s not fun. I stress over things that don’t matter. I miss the silly, creative, and endearing moments that arise when things go wrong. (And often the all-out belly laughs!) When I’m so busy striving for perfection - I’m no longer present in the Now. I’m only focused on the future.

Having kids has cemented the practice of not taking life too seriously. Having a goofy dog that causes mischief day in and day out has demanded the practice of “laughing it off.” Working from home, trying to keep a clean house and healthy meals running smoothly, and creating a space for distance learning over the past year - have all been exercises in trial and error; and learning to “roll with it” as my son says.

Spilled milk? My daughter turns it into silly faces on the table. Dog ate a marker? Now the fur on his face is blue - might as well laugh and take a picture! End up backpacking in a thunderstorm at night? Well… It’s a story to tell!

The first time my son scrawled a word across a freshly painted wall… He was 3 years old and he wrote “poop.” I was kind of impressed! It’s still there 4 years later. I’m tempted to just put a frame around it.

My daughter decided her desk is so much prettier with permanent marker drawings all over it. I don’t disagree…

Normally in the summer I’m on the struggle bus with my frizzy, wavy, curly hair - trying everything I can to make it look somewhat nice. This year? Nah… I’m embracing my natural hair. Experimenting with the “curly hair method” and letting it be what it is. It’s taking some getting used to. It’s crazy. But? I kind of like not worrying about it!

I’ve been to the pool on average 5 days a week this summer - not giving a rat’s patootie what people think of my white legs, rolls, and cellulite! (Why would I want to miss summer days at the pool with my kids?!)

(My husband just reminded me that I also brought Crocs as my camp shoes on our backpacking trip… So, clearly I’m not taking myself seriously anymore. Ha!)

There are so many ways to lighten up how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. So many ways to let go of the unattainable perfection so many of us expect from ourselves. So many ways to, instead, let Joy in.

I’d love to hear how you kicked an old expectation to the curb this week, and instead decided to enjoy the moment. (Leave a story in the comments!)

It’s such a free-ing experience! And gosh darn it, you deserve to be free and live in Joy!