Why I Began to Slow Down and Simplify

Overcommitted? Can't say no? Need more hours in a day?

HELLO!

I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey. By seeing how many mistakes I've made along the way, my hope is that I can help you slow down and simplify your life so you can avoid the mistakes I made. I’ve overcommitted myself, not been able to say no, and pretended I had more hours in a day to accomplish tasks than there are hours in a day. Does that sound familiar? If so, you’re in the right place.

I began my working life as a teacher, but soon learned the regular classroom was not for me. I quit right before my first child was born with no idea what I was going to do. I had been teaching Microsoft Office classes as well (back in the day when Office was a new thing) so I was able to transition into adult education when our first child was born and continue doing that when our second child was born. That started a new level of busyness as I worked part time and tried to take care of my family while volunteering to do way too many activities. 

Along the way I decided to homeschool our children (that’s a story for another day). As they aged, I eventually had to quit working and became a homeschooling mom. People would ask me what I did, and I would tell them, “I’m just a homeschooling mom.” That was when I really began struggling with my identity because being “just a homeschooling mom” didn’t seem like enough. I began volunteering and saying yes to everything that came my way. I had always stayed busy, but not feeling like I was enough and trying to fill that gap with everything possible pushed that busyness to a new level. 

Then a breaking point came. There were many times that I thought I was having a heart attack. We made countless trips to the ER and doctor. By the time I would get there, I was better, and the doctors couldn't find a problem. Finally, I was at the doctor’s office when it happened, and she looked at me and said, “You’re having a panic attack.” Instead of being terrified with that diagnosis, relief flooded over me. Finally, I had an answer. 

It took years and years to understand the implication of panic attacks on my life, to understand what triggered them, to understand how I could feel them coming, and to understand how I could avoid them. It’s strange to say I’m actually thankful for panic attacks, but I am. It’s through this process I’ve learned how to slow down and simplify my life. God has taught me who I truly am and who He is. He’s made me OK with the less busy version of myself and is showing me that is who he really designed me to be.

So, get a cup of coffee (or tea), sit back, take a deep breath, and join me. It’s my hope that along this journey, you’ll get the full story and see some of yourself in my story. I hope we’ll become dear friends. I can’t wait!

Blessings,

Deedee